PELLA - 2007

Pella. M. Lilibaki-Akamati (Director, ΙΖ' ΕΠΚΑ) and I. Akamatis (Aristotelian University, Thessaloniki) report the discovery of a Hel bath complex of ca. 1,000m². This had a large pool (7 x 4m) lined with waterproof cement, and a changing room to the S. The first phase of construction dates to ca. 325−300 and the building was remodeled ca. 275−250, with 18 new individual and group baths, a tholos, and pebble and mosaic pavements. Under-floor heating was added in the M2nd Ct BC, with the additional creation of cold and hot baths, and the use of the tholos as a sauna.

 

I. Akamatis reports the discovery of more than 100 EBA burials, ca. 30% of which were enchytrismoi in large (1.5−1.6m h.) pithoi, and the rest pit burials or burials in stonelined structures. They were accompanied by marble bowls from the Cyclades (sometimes with red pigment), local handmade pottery and metal objects including jewellery, arrowheads and knives. Bodies were placed in contracted positions, women facing to the left and men to the right. Babies, infants and older children were also buried here. The full extent of the cemetery cannot be determined, as it continues beneath the later city: the graves so far investigated are relatively accessible beneath later roads and passageways. A settlement of the same period is assumed to be nearby and probably beneath the later city.