Ambelaki Bay - Salamis - 2023

A new five-year programme of underwater research began in Salamis by the Institute of Marine Archaeological Research (I.M.A.R.). The site is located along the northwestern side of Ambelaki Bay, where previous research has been carried out on the Classical city of Salamis and the Pounta Peninsula (ID18173, ID 11493). The project is directed by Giannos Lolos (University of Ioannina) and Angeliki Simosi (head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and Islands) and operates under the auspices of the Institute of Underwater Archaeological Research and the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities.

Work uncovered large sections of a sea wall, 3-4m thick and reinforced with towers, as well as parts of other strong public structures, which are dated to the 4th century BC (Fig. 1). Excavations were also undertaken on a large, partially submerged public building (likely a stoa), measuring at least 32 × 6m and comprising six to seven rooms (Fig. 2). Finds from the western edge of the building include a 4.15m-long stone drainage channel, a probable horseshoe-shaped column base, and a substantial assemblage of pottery, mainly from the Late Roman/Early Byzantine and Medieval to Modern periods. Other finds include Athenian black-glazed sherds (fourth century BC), amphora fragments, red glazed sherds, intact and fragmentary lamps (Late Roman, up to the sixth century AD), a stamped Hellenistic amphora handle, clay objects (stoppers, weights), six bronze artefacts, marble vessel fragments, and bronze coins from the late fourth to early third centuries BC. Two inscribed stele fragments (from the Classical/Hellenistic and Roman period) (Fig. 3)) were also found, as well as a statuette fragment of Asclepius from the late fourth century BC (Fig. 4), and a small stone anchor.