Gorgomylos - Junction of the Ionia Odos Motorway - 2015

Gorgomylos - Junction of the Ionia Odos Motorway. Anthi Angeli (Ephorate of Antiquities of Preveza) reports on rescue excavation conducted at this site (km position 163+275 to 163 + 180), following surface survey conducted as part of the Ionian Odos project. Twenty 5x5m trenches were opened, bringing to light the remains of a farmhouse of two construction phases (third – mid second century BC and mid second – first century B.C.)

The farmhouse was found to be 26m x 11.30m, although it was mainly the central and western parts that were excavated (fig. 1), the rest of the building falling outside the main excavated area. Of the first phase of the building, parts of the S, N and W outer walls were preserved (fig. 2), and some of the W inner wall too. A hearth (1.30 x 1.35m) also dates to the first phase of the building’s use.

The first building was probably destroyed by fire in the middle of the second century B.C., as seen in the evidence of a destruction layer of Laconian and Corinthian tiles. The building was repaired and expanded in the second phase, including the construction of a long narrow corridor (8 x 2.50m), and three consecutive rectangular rooms (fig. 3).

A post-Byzantine wall 12.20 x 2m was also constructed to the N, preserved to a height of 0.6m; there was also a second wall from this period in the SW corner of the farmhouse.

From the building’s first phase, a few clay loomweights were found, an iron tool for shaving animals, and other iron tools including a scythe, a pickaxe, tongs, handles and a blade. Two circular millstones were also found. In addition to ceramics, 12 bronze coins were found during the excavation.