ATHENS - AGORA - 2011

Athenian Agora (by the HSAP rail tracks between Theseio and Monastiraki stations). N. Saraga (Α’ ΕPΚΑ) and K. Tsogga (Α’ ΕPΚΑ) report on a rescue excavation in the Agora during the repairs and renovations of the rail tracks (Fig. 1). Parts of the foundation of the Stoa of Zeus were revealed as well as a section of a built bench which ran along the inside wall of the Stoa (Fig. 2). The wall and foundations were taken apart in the Late Roman period for reuse of the building material. The retaining wall of the Stoa was also found as well as an earlier polygonal wall which lies between this and the stoa’s foundations (Figs. 2, 3). The polygonal wall, along with a horseshoe-shaped pit containing black glazed pottery sherds dating from the Late Geometric to the last quarter of the 5^th century BC (Fig. 4,5), belong to structures that predate the stoa. A section of the retaining wall of the Sacred Way was revealed and dated to the Hellenistic period (Fig. 6). In the area of the West Road remains from several Classical, pottery and marble workshops were excavated. A Byzantine well, containing glazed and undecorated pottery sherds, and fragments from canalis rotunda, was also dug there (Fig 7). In addition, walls from the large Late Roman house, built on top of the altar of the twelve Gods, were found (Figs. 8, 9). A part of the altar itself was also revealed. This includes sections of its enclosure, part of the paved area, and fragments from the Archaic, poros altar (Figs. 10, 11, 12) A stretch of the Panathenaic Way was excavated. It was made of beaten earth and preserved no wheel ruts (Figs. 13, 14). It nevertheless preserved postholes for the ikria and stone blocks for the periskoinisma (Fig. 15). A Byzantine tile-built pithos had been constructed on top of it (Fig. 16), and a Byzantine pottery kiln was found beside it (Fig 17).The latter indicate that Byzantine workshops were in operation in this area. Finally, a Mycenaean chamber tomb was revealed containing 5 burials of adults and children, 2 cups and other pottery sherds (Fig. 18,19,20). The burials, which are arranged in two separate groups, do not appear to be contemporaneous.

Additional finds from the area include walls, drains, a Roman cistern and pits. Smaller finds include a marble head from a Roman herm, marble architectural parts, and large quantities of fine pottery.

The excavation was conducted under the supervision of the two reporting archaeologists by N. Saratsiotis, E. Paparoupa, E. Roussodemou, S. Chondrozoumaki and L. Despotidou. The architectural drawings are by N. Mauraki and P. Nika. Photos were taken by E. Bardani. ASCSA Agora staff, C. Mauzy and J. Herbst, assisted with the drawings and photographic documentation of the site.