THESSALONIKI Metro - 2008

Sintrivani Station. During removal of the network of public utilities outside the station boundary, 109 tombs were uncovered, of different types (chamber tombs, tile graves, pit graves without covers, enchytrismoi, vaulted tombs, stone- or brick-built cists, altar-like constructions of unworked stones which mark simple pits or orthogonal repositories and a group of 5 vaulted chambers). Inhumation is the dominant rite, though there are several instances of multiple inhumations, secondary reburial and cremation. Forty five tombs contained grave goods (pottery and glass vessels, bronze coins and gold danakes, terracotta figurines, bone pins, daggers, and gold and bronze jewellery). In the same area were found sections of wall and water channels. During construction of the perimeter wall of the station, in front of the Children’s Refuge, a total of 178 tombs were found, of various types (chamber tombs, tile graves, pit graves, enchytrismoi, vaulted tombs, stone-built tombs, altar-like structures and cists), including 6 small monolithic marble sarcophagi or ossuaries of Rom date. Inhumation was the dominant rite, but there were also examples of double and multiple burials, secondary reburial and cremation. Seventy tombs contained grave goods (clay and glass vessels, bronze coins, gold, silver and bronze jewellery, and terracotta figurines). Part of a building with a mosaic pavement and partially preserved sections of wall and water channel were also recovered. The density of the tombs and the fact that they encroach on each other indicate the intensity of the use of this area over a long period of time, from the 3rd Ct BC to the 4th Ct AD.

Kathimerini (13/04/2007) notes the discovery of a stele inscribed ΕΠΙΘΕΡΣΗΣ ΦΙΛΩΝΟΣ ΜΗΘΥΜΝΑΙΟΣ.