MONEMVASIA - 2006

Monemvasia, lower city, Church of Agios Nikolaos. P. Skagou (5th EBA) reports on survey and excavation undertaken to understand the plan and construction of the monument, which are described in detail. Ag. Nikolaos is built on the ruins of a predecessor, the S wall and apse of which are visible on the exterior on the S side. Part of the floor of the earlier church was excavated (along with a section of the N wall and the apse) 2.61m below that of its successor. In addition, excavation revealed traces of another, larger ruined church destroyed at an unknown time, and within which the predecessor of Ag. Nikolaos was located. The original level of the cobbled floor, sandstone column bases and a rectangular tomb, probably built for the founder when the church was constructed, were also found.