LEUKAS - 2003

Lefkada. The IB’ ΕΠΚΑ presents a review of rescue excavations in the city.

During the widening of Philosophon Street on the southwest fringes of the modern city, extensive remains of two agricultural residences were uncovered. These extend out beside the ancient road from the northern gate of the city to the western shore. Both show successive phases of occupation from the fourth century BC to the third century AD: the better preserved Roman remains include installations for olive oil production and wine-presses. (fig. 1).

Public works south of the ancient city wall revealed remains of harbour installations and workshops. Ca. 140m from the modern coastline lay part of a probable dockyard complex with four bays of equal width divided by rows of limestone bases. To the east, buildings on either side of ancient roads were probably warehouses for the products moved through the commercial harbour of the city, to judge from the large quantity of transport amphora sherds found inside them and their position close to the south harbour mole.

Excavation of two neighbouring plots in the area of the south cemetery revealed a large number of Early Classical to Late Hellenistic tombs, mostly with rich grave good, densely concentrated and in successive layers. Finds include an iron dagger with its sheath (fig. 2), a terracotta theatre mask (fig. 3), and gold jewellery.