Apokoronas - Ancient Aptera - 2015

Apokoronas - Ancient Aptera. Vana Niniou-Kindeli (Ephorate of Antiquities of Chania) reports that after 18 years, the excavation of the area near the theatre of Ancient Aptera started again (Fig. 1). A Roman house (domus) containing Greek and Roman coins, vessels, figurines as well as terra sigillata was discovered, and its construction is dated to the 1^st c. AD. Its characteristics are slightly different than that of other similar structures found in Crete (e.g. Eleftherna). During the 2^nd c. AD it was repaired, however the domus was destroyed after the earthquake of 365 AD.

During the first years of the excavation, the peristylium with a series of columns with Ionic bases and Doric capitals (Fig. 2 and 3) was already unearthed. The yard consisted of a garden (viridarium) with small sculptures which was connected to a drain. The tiled stoa which surrounded the peristylium was partially excavated. A large destruction layer containing fragments of colourful wall-paintings, stones from walls and tiles was investigated in 2014. A large Room (Room E) was also excavated and its limits were identified. The walls of the building were carefully made, however the floor was not preserved in the excavated areas (Fig. 4 and 5). Apart from Roman pottery, Byzantine sherds were present at the top layers.

In 2015, the vestibulum of the house was brought to light, S of the patio. Wall remains as well as another destruction layer were located in Room ΣΤ. After the removal of the destruction layer, a step which was in contact with the doorstep of the nearby patio (Room B) was discovered. A lintel was found next to it (Fig. 6). Two small sculptures made of different materials and depicting Artemis and Apollo (Fig. 7) were found under the lowest tile layer. They may have been placed in a niche of one of the walls of the vestibulum, and a sanctuary might have been located there. The same room contained two drains as well, which were connected with that of the patio near the house cistern (Fig. 8). Room ΣΤ was also adjoining with Room Z (Fig. 9). South of the main entrance and underneath a Byzantine layer, a cobbled road which might have been connected to the road passing from the W alley, was excavated (Fig. 10). Alternatively, it might have been a part of the Hellenistic roads, and was still used during the Roman times.

[Entry created by C. Koureta]