ANO LIOSIA - 2000

Ano Liosia. Tsouklidi. Excavation revealed an Early Christian basilica and a Roman building on a small hill in the municipal nursery (Figs. 1-2). Southwest of the Roman building were 12 Late Roman tombs, with another to the northeast. The walls of the basilica incorporate Classical marble architectural spolia (Fig. 3) and fragments of funerary stelae and lekythoi. Area A (3.8m x 2.8m), at the centre of the south wall of the basilica, was probably an entrance or a narthex. This area contained a destruction layer of ash, undecorated domestic pottery, many lamps, loomweights, fragments of glass vessels, iron nails and pieces of lead and marble. Much Late Roman to Byzantine roof tile and brick was also cleared.

The 13 tombs were mostly pit burials (Figs. 4-5) with crude coverings, all containing individual burials and oriented east-west. Grave goods include lekythoi, prochoes and phialae, as well as a pin and earrings in the shape of lilies. Above the tombs were placed large upright stones or tiles. The pottery dates to AD 540−665.