ACHARNAI - 2007

Acharnai, 21 Salaminos St. (O.T. 66, property of K. Trivellas) M. Platonos (Β’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the discovery of the theatre of the ancient deme of Acharnai (Fig. 1). Parts of three seating sections (kerkides) were excavated (Fig 3). The middle one (Fig 2) is 5 m. wide at its west side and 22 m. at its east. 10 rows of seats are preserved. The seating area is constructed with rectangular stone boulders. The middle kerkis is built on stone foundations, while the other two on a backfill. The boulders were worked in situ. The seats are 0.20-0.44 m. wide, while the distance between them is 0.37-0.54 m. (Fig 4). The diazoma behind the prohedria is 1.20 m. wide. A thick layer of roof-tiles and Roman sherds was found on it (Fig 5). The upper diazoma is 2.15 m. wide. Part of the orchestra was also found. It was paved with gravel. Marble fragments, which may belong to the thrones of the prohedria, were found in the orchestra. The south stairway (klimaka) preserves two steps of stones and beaten earth. The north klimaka could have been a ramp with no steps. The epitheatro could have been wooden and is not preserved. Finds from the area include prehistoric sherds, roof-tiles, obsidian blades, 12 bronze coins and few loom weights. The theatre was founded on a prehistoric site. Few sherds (a fragment from a salt cellar and a black-glazed lamp) attest to the use of the area in the 5^th c. B.C. The theatre was constructed in the 4^th c. B.C. and remained in use until Early Roman times. The area was used again in the Frankish period and the 19^th c.