Leonnidio, Plaka - 2025

Leonidio, Plaka. K. Kissas (Ephorate of Antiquities for Arcadia),  P. Scherrer (University of Graz), and H. Scherer (University of Graz) report on the second excavation season of a synergasia between the Ephorate of Antiquities of Arcadia and the Austrian Archaeological Institute at Athens, represented by the University of Graz.

The project continues the exploration of the topography of Prasiai using tachymetric surveying, UAV-based remote sensing, satellite imagery analysis and archaeological fieldwork. At the area of the fortification the remains of the walls and towers were cleared of vegetation and recorded using handheld camera and drones to create 3D models via Structure from Motion (Fig. 1). Numerous insights were gained, using the same method, regarding the internal structure of the fortification and its system of pathways. The Towers show rectangular, almost square plans of different sizes ranging from 16.3 to 26m2, from which the highest situated tower clearly stands out by its definite square layout and a base area of 111.5m2. In front of the eastern wall of the tower an additional entrance structure could be identified (Fig. 2) which underlines the importance of this tower as a central building maybe also of administrative importance.

Terrace walls inside the fortification are made of polygonal masonry using the same local limestone as the fortification wall. Terrace wall 6 (TMB06), located between towers C and D, best demonstrates the structural layout (Fig. 3). It runs from northwest to southeast in a distance of 2.5m to the fortification wall and has a length of 12.5m. It is bounded by right-angled corners at both ends and encloses an area of 115m2. A pathway running in front of TMB06 is created by an additional terrace wall in a distance of 3m. Archaeological fieldwork was conducted in the area of the structure formerly named as Tower A (ID 16381, 19639). The excavation in Trench A2 confirmed the assumption that it is not a tower but a gate. No connecting wall between the inner and outer line of the fortification wall could be identified. (Fig. 4). The finds of this trench also support dating the fortification to the fourth century BC.

Excavations at the property of K. Zorgias, started in 2023 (ID 19639), were continued in 2024. The full length of 17.5m of the wall of building Q, built of finely cut ashlar blocks, most probably a stoa, was recorded (Fig. 5). The structure was superimposed by a wall of rubble masonry bonded with mortar featuring a U-shaped ground plan, which is likewise dated to the Early Imperial period due to its proximity to the graves found in trench B in 2023 (ID 19639).