Kyparissia - 2010

Kyparissia, Property of D. Tsolaridis. Xeni Arapogianni (ΛΗ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on a rescue excavation at the archaeological site of Kyparissia. Antiquities were located at a very shallow depth and cover a 30 x 30 m area (fig. 1). Overall, 61 walls, at least 8 rectangular floor spaces, as well as 3 drainage pipes made of clay tiles. Pottery finds consist of a multitude of unglazed sherds that belong to pointed- -amphorae, storage and utilitarian vessels, a good number of black-glazed sherds and sections of terra sigillata vessels. Among the small finds were a number of pieces of glass vessels. Altogether, more than 1,000 metal artefacts were collected, among them coins, many bronze and iron rivets, tools, bronze hooks, and lead sheets. The revealed remains of buildings belong to an extensive residential complex that is obviously part of an ancient seaside settlement, whose habitation began in the late Hellenistic period (2nd c. BC) and continued until the Roman era (4th c. AD).

Hooks and needles for sewing nets show that the main occupation of the inhabitants was fishing. Inside the houses, burials (most empty) were found under the floors. Underneath the N wall of a room with entrance to the E, a tile tomb (oriented NE) was found. The burial was of a female and contained 4 bronze coins and a bronze earring. In the vicinity 5 child burials were found with poor grave goods (bone pins, small bronze artefacts, clay spools). A short distance to the SW and closer to the coast, the ruins of a large building, possibly of public nature, came to light.

[Entry created by E. Strazdins]