PERAMA - 2006
Informations Générales
Numéro de la notice
1833
Année de l'opération
2006
Chronologie
Mots-clés
Baptistère - Basilique - Canalisation - Sépulture - Lampe - Terre cuite architecturale - Métal - Os - Pierre - Verre - Édifice religieux - Installation hydraulique
Nature de l'opération
Institution(s)
Localisation
Toponyme
Perama
Perama
Notices et opérations liées
2006
Description
Perama. A. Phraidaki (28th EBA) reports on the excavation between 2004-2006 of a three-aisled basilica at Palaiokklisia (Figs 1-2). Excavation was taken down to the floor levels, with only the narthex (at the west) unexcavated. There are two main constructional phases (Fig. 3): the earlier traces are relatively modest and detectable by the use of field-stones and sturdy lime plaster. The later consists of most of what is visible today, often building on the earlier wall-lines: this probably includes the floors. Re-used masonry includes a limestone column and two more of marble. Below the destruction debris (stones, bricks and plaster), the nave floor is paved with rectangular marble slabs (Fig. 4), the south aisle (Fig. 5) with bricks and the north (Fig. 6) again of marble slabs. Built benches exist in all aisles. The monument is simple, with no mosaics. A very late cist grave of a child (Fig. 7) was found set in the north aisle. Nearby was the cruciform baptisterion (Fig. 8): shallow, paved in marble (Fig. 9), with a drainage pipe at the north and a few steps down to enter the area at the west. Much vessel glass was found mixed with the debris at the east. Most of the pottery from the north aisle dates between the early fifth and early seventh centuries AD (Fig. 10). This suggests a parallel with the sixth-century baptisterion in Panormo; certain internal arrangements are reminiscent of those at Fodele of the fifth to sixth century AD. Finds include the bronze container of an oil lamp (Fig. 11), iron sheet and nails, glass and two Early Byzantine bronze coins of Eleutherna (of the reign of Constantine IV, AD 668-685). Burial evidence has been detected east of the north aisle. The re-used pillars suggest the existence of Roman and Late Roman structures in the area. The date of the original construction is unknown. After an early fifth-century AD earthquake there must have been an immediate rebuild as pottery of that date appears throughout. In the mid sixth century the floors were laid in their present form and the baptisterion erected. The final destruction (Fig. 12) is poorly understood, but is probably due to the strong earthquake in the seventh century. It remains possible that the nave was rebuilt and continued in use, whilst the aisles remained in ruins.
Auteur de la notice
Don EVELY
Références bibliographiques
AEK 1 (2010), 532-42
Légende graphique :
localisation de la fouille/de l'opération
localisation du toponyme
polygone du toponyme Chronique
Fonctionnalités de la carte :
sélectionner un autre fond de plan
se rapprocher ou s'éloigner de la zone
afficher la carte en plein écran
Date de création
2011-02-15 00:00:00
Dernière modification
2023-12-11 09:05:09
Figure(s)
Fig. 1/ Palaiokklisia: general view of the basilica.
Fig. 2/ Sketch of the examining location (Hood, Warren & Cadogan, 1964,57).
Fig. 3/ Ground plan of the three-aisled baasilica with constructural phases.
Fig. 4/ Central aisle, rectangular base of Holy Table and two column bases.
Fig. 5/ South aisle: general view.
Fig. 6/ North aisle: upper destruction deposit.
Fig. 7/ North aisle: child burial.
Fig. 8/ Section of the Baptisterion.
Fig. 9/ North aisle, the baptisterion.
Fig. 10/ Fragment of featured 5th/6th c. AD sherd.
Fig. 11/ Bronze oil lamp.
Fig. 12/ North aisle: the destruction deposit of baptisterion.