Corinth-Tripoli-Kalamata motorway - 2010

Corinth-Tripoli-Kalamata motorway, Lefktro-Sparti spur, Tsakona-Kalamata. Xeni Arapogianni (ΛΗ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on excavations in the area of Antheia, Aspropoulia, and Ariochorio, on the western side of the existing National Road. Building remains were revealed, belonging to part of a complex of Hellenistic and Roman farmhouses that developed on either side of the road (orientation N-S). The walls are stone built, founded on the soil and preserved to the height of 0.3-0.7 m. Of particular interest is the area at the northernmost end of the complex with a pebble floor, in which three shallow orthogonal cisterns are formed. At another point, there is a section of floor made of clay tiles set in mortar, while near this a storage pithos was found in situ. The finds were few, mainly sherds of utilitarian vessels, also bronze coins, iron accessories, rivets, and loom weights. The complex seems to extend eastwards under the National Road and the excavation will continue once the asphalt is torn up. A few remains of farmhouses were found also in the area of Tsakona and of Allagi, while in the region of Pidimata Arfaron a large deposit was investigated, yielding plentiful fragmentary Hellenistic pottery.

[Entry created by E. Strazdins]