THORIKOS - 2010
Informations Générales
Numéro de la notice
2074
Année de l'opération
2010
Chronologie
Mots-clés
Nature de l'opération
Institution(s)
Localisation
Toponyme
Thorikos, Thorikon, Thoricus
Thorikos, Thorikon, Thoricus
Notices et opérations liées
Description
Thorikos. R. Docter and K. Van Liefferinge (Belgian School/Ghent) report on the 2010 excavation campaign, focused on the largest cistern on the Velatouri hill (Cistern 1), situated just above the Industrial Quarter (Figs. 1-3). This is one of the features documented in survey in 2008 (together with mine entrance 2 and a hitherto unknown small cistern) which may be linked to ore-processing. The large cistern is of particular interest in relation to the question of water management at Thorikos. Although the bottom has not yet been reached, it proved to be much deeper than expected, implying a minimum capacity of 123m³ as against the estimated 80m³. This, together with the discovery of a new cistern during the 2008 survey, demands the revision of theories of water shortage at Thorikos.
Cistern 1 belonged to a larger complex of ore-washeries and cisterns situated around mine entrance 2 (a kainotomia at a level of 40m). The structure is relatively well-preserved, partly rock-cut and partly in ashlar. Its irregular shape (9 x 4.5 x 7.5 x 5.5m; Fig. 1) respects the topography. To prevent seepage, the walls and fractures in the rock surface were filled and lined with waterproof cement which in places is still well preserved. The decision to build a cistern here reflects the fact that this part of the Velatouri is particularly favourable for the catchment of water. The slope is not only steep, but the surface just above the cistern is smooth and without fractures, thus guaranteeing the maximum retention of rainwater. The cistern was also equipped with a barrage: its east wall runs further uphill to channel water running downhill (Fig. 1).
Study of the walls in the vicinity suggests that the cistern belonged to a larger workshop, possibly the largest known on the Velatouri. On its west side was a working area with a crushing table for ores. The rocky surface was levelled and adjusted as necessary. On the east side were several curved walls of as yet unknown purpose. No ore washery has yet been found in connection with this workshop.
At this stage of investigation, the chronology and layout of the workshop remain uncertain. Based on comparison with other ergasteria in Thorikos and Laurion, it was probably constructed at some stage in the second half of the fifth or fourth century BC.
The latest pottery in the upper fill of the cistern suggests a date in the sixth or seventh century AD (Fig. 4). Some 9% of the ca. 700 finds studied belong to the fifth- sixth/seventh century AD, shedding light upon the latest phase of occupation at Thorikos and on metallurgical activities in the area of mine 2.
Auteur de la notice
Robert PITT
Références bibliographiques
Unpublished field report, Belgian School at Athens
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
2011-06-17 00:00:00
Dernière modification
2023-10-09 10:25:45
Figure(s)
Fig. 1/ Cistern 1.
Fig. 2/ Cistern 1 before excavation.
Fig. 3/ Cistern 1 during the 2010 campaign.
Fig. 4/ Aegean or Pontic amphora from the fill of Cistern 1; 6th-7th century AD.