VOULA Halai Aixonidai - 2007

Voula. Y. Kourayos (ΚΣτ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the results of rescue excavation of ca. 0.6ha undertaken between 2005 and March 2007 on a plot owned by the Sklavenitis brothers on Mystras and Athinais streets, by Vari avenue.
Important architectural remains of the Cl period (L5th-E4th Ct BC) probably belong to the Agora of the anc. deme of Halai Aixonides. A large rectangular building complex, ca. 1,500m², comprised 12 rooms of varying sizes grouped around a square courtyard. The greater part of the structure is founded on bedrock. Within the courtyard, a 2.5m d. round cistern, cut into the rock, supplied water to the complex. One of the rooms, which was divided into an antechamber and a sekos, is identified as a small shrine (5 x 7m). The antechamber had a plaster floor, while that of the sekos was tiled. The identification is confirmed by the discovery of figurines, including female forms such as kourotrophoi, and a square, built altar S of the building, surrounded by a semi-circular peribolos. Beside the entrance to the shrine, a further large space which was probably the associated dining room.
The complex is surrounded to the N by a large rectangular peribolos 22 x 17m, which continues under a neighbouring plot and which must have been an important public building (perhaps a courtyard since no architectural members were found in the interior). Towards the E was a well-built rectangular well, and an entrance leading directly into the central courtyard of the complex. In addition, in the NW corner of the building plot, part of the anc. arterial road leading to the temple of Apollo Zoster was uncovered (a further part was located on an adjacent plot to the N in 1987). This is 25m w., with the retaining wall well preserved.
Excavation produced a large quantity of pottery which awaits conservation, and a hoard of bronze coins of various cities (including, Athens, Aigina, Hermione, Thebes, Corinth, and Salamis) as well as 2 silver coins. The most significant coin find was a silver tetradrachm of Alexander 3rd (336-323 BC), which bears on the obverse the head of Herakles and on the reverse the enthroned Olympian Zeus.
Also significant is the discovery of 40 lead balance weights collected together in one room; unworked masses of lead indicate their manufacture on site. Attention is drawn to one rectangular weiht with a depiction of an amphora in relief, and the inscription ΔΗΜΩ, and to a bronze plaque bearing the name ΔΙΟΝΥΣΙΟΣ ΑΛΑΙΕΥΣ. A large concentration of terracotta loom weights was found in a neighbouring room.