NAUPLION, Psaromachala - 2002

Nauplion, Psaromachala, Zygomalou Street (O.T. 193, property of A. Armelidi). Ch. Piteros (Δ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the discovery of a 20m-long stretch of a fourth- or early third-century polygonal wall founded on bedrock. The construction is the same as that of the ancient city wall on Acronauplia. The westernmost part was repaired probably in Late Roman or Early Byzantine times (fifth-sixth century), and along its entire length a supplementary wall was added in two phases probably during the Venetian government (1383-1546 and 1686-1715). The total height of the wall varies from 4 to 6m. The wall formed the southern boundary of the old city (noting surface traces of domestic activity, as burning from stoves), and was the upper part of the western fortification line protecting Nauplion harbour. The bedrock was cut and levelled, probably for houses, before the construction of the wall: these also contained later pottery from settlement of the area, and one natural fissure held the burial of an adult in a tile grave without goods.

Finds include Lakonian tiles, bronze coins and pottery of the Hellenistic period. Deeper inside hollows in the bedrock were Geometric, Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic sherds, Archaic figurines, Mycenaean sherds and plain Late Helladic IIIB kylikes, a Phi figurine, shell and animal bone, confirming Mycenaean occupation of the site. One Early Helladic II sherd was also found.