ATHENS - Olympieion - 2000
Informations Générales
Numéro de la notice
2207
Année de l'opération
2000
Chronologie
Mots-clés
Temple - Fortification - Canalisation - Sépulture - Figurine - Revêtements (mur et sol) - Sculpture - Édifice religieux - Installation hydraulique - Nécropole - Sanctuaire
Nature de l'opération
Institution(s)
Localisation
Notices et opérations liées
2000
Description
Archaeological site of the Olympieion. Th. Kyriakou (Γ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on works during the consolidation of the archaeological sites of Athens at the Olympieion from September 1999 to June 2000 (Fig. 1).
The foundations of Late Roman walls were found north of the Classical temple, plus two enchytrismoi.
Cleaning in the Byzantine quarter revealed a quantity of pottery and clay figurines of all periods from Mycenaean to Byzantine, plus marble and limestone architectural members, some from the Classical limestone temple identified as that of Apollo Delphinios.
In the area of the Diomeian Gates of Valerian, a wall probably related to the Roman phase of the walls. Excavation of the ditch of the Valerian wall in the area outside the Diomeian Gates revealed architectural remains of the tower and wall, of Byzantine outbuildings and silos (Figs 2,3). Test excavation indicated that the tower was built when the ditch was no longer usable: it was not contemporary with the third-century AD wall, but was later, probably Justinianic. Investigation of the ditch of the north arm of the wall revealed groups of Late Roman tombs belonging to a cemetery outside the walls in this period (Fig. 4).
At the north part of the ditch, excavation uncovered a small number of Byzantine tombs. The ditch of the Valerian walls was filled with debris from storage silos, and many broken architectural members and sculptures including a small (probably Classical) votive relief of a worshipper in front of a snake, which may be a dedication to Zeus Meilichios whose was worshipped in the area of the Olympieion (Fig. 5).
Finally, a small flight of steps was discovered in the northwest corner of the Classical temple during exploration of the area ahead of preservation work. A large Late Roman terracotta pipe was also found here (Fig. 6).
Auteur de la notice
Robert PITT
Références bibliographiques
AD 56-59 (2001-2004) Chr., 278-282.
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Date de création
2011-06-28 00:00:00
Dernière modification
2023-10-09 11:40:46
Figure(s)
Fig. 1/ Plan of the area south of the Olympieion.
Fig. 2/ Olympieion: Valerian wall, Byzantine settlement and tannery.
Fig. 3/ Olympieion: Valerian wall and gate.
Fig. 4/ Olympieion: ditch of Valerian wall showing Late Roman tombs.
Fig. 5/ Olympieion: votive relief to Zeus Meilichios.
Fig. 6/ Olympieion: channel at the northwest corner of the temple of Apollo Delphinios.