Ampelakia - 2007

Abelakia, Stroubili Place, 18 Bouboulina Street and 9 Euripidos Street (O.T. 45, property of G. Zachariadis and D. Stababas). Andromachi Kapetanopoulou (ΚΣΤ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the discovery of a number of graves, located to the E of the plot explored.

Grave 1: stone-lined sarcophagus composed of three rectangular slabs. Aligned EW, measuring 2.05 x 0.75m, head oriented E. One individual of height 1.52m found inside, with an iron nail near the head.

Grave 2: stone-lined sarcophagus, aligned EW, with only the E part preserved (measuring 1.29 x 0.77m).  Located about 2.5m north of Grave 1. An iron nail was found inside and two lead pieces.

Grave 3: stone-lined sarcophagus, aligned NS, with dimensions 2 x 0.9m. Found just next to Grave 1. This grave contained a skeleton of a male 1.70m tall in supine position. Grave goods included:

• Bronze inscribed tablet on top of the right part of an inscribed vessel. The letter ‘E’ might indicate the deceased held a judicial office at the time of death.
• Part of two stone alabasters.
• Black painted kantharos (dated 375-350 BC).
• Many iron rivets in good state of preservation.
• Sea shells.
• Small bronze arrow tip.

2.5m N of this grave, a further four tombstones were identified.

Tombstone 1: marble stele, with relief of bathtub.

Tombstone 2: marble stele, with inscription in three parts.

Tombstone 3: column, with inscription referencing a mother and son. They appear to be wife and son of the man to whom the tombstone was dedicated.

Tombstone 4: marble column, showing image of boy holding a bird in his right hand.

Between Grave 1 and the group of Tombstones, there were three pyres discovered:

Pyre 1: ellipsoidal area of burning 1.30 x 0.90 m. Various sherds and pottery fragments were found here.

Pyre 2: ellipsoidal hollow with dimensions 0.48 x 0.35m. Many sherds were found, including two small vessels.

Pyre 3: ellipsoidal cavity with dimensions 0.87 x 0.25m. Many sherds were found, and a bronze buckle.