Sparta Acropolis - 2015

Sparta Acropolis. Goulielmos Orestidis reports the following:

The Circular Building is located in the southeast and lower part of Sparta’s ancient acropolis. Its initial phase is dated to the Archaic or Classical period. Architectural documentation has confirmed this early dating as well as a rearrangement with a possible change of use and a large-scale reconstruction that took place in the late Hellenistic or Early Roman period. The recent study also revealed less significant building phases (Late Roman and Medieval). The new findings contribute to a better understanding of the near and wider topography of the monument. The Circular Building is a natural hill, partially enclosed by a semi-circular retaining wall (diameter approx. 41 m) to form a high circular plateau. The retaining wall’s dry-stone structure consisted of a three-tier base, on which rows of vertical conglomerate plinths/pillars and rows of horizontal marble plinths stood one on top of the other. The wall was restored with the use of all of the preserved original blocks and new material, such as artificial conglomerate stones and off-white marble blocks for the horizontal rows.