Piraeus - 2012

Piraeus, Deligianni Square (METRO works). Stella Chrysoulaki (ΚΣΤ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the discovery of an ancient road and two blocks of houses on either side of it (Fig. 1). The road ran NE-SW, was c. 5m wide and attests to several phases of use and repairs dating from the Classical period until Roman times (Fig. 2). Parts of five drains were found underneath its surface.

The remains of the north block of houses consist of walls, 2 pebble floors, parts of mortar-lined floors and two wells. This complex dates to the Classical and Hellenistic periods and appears to have been levelled in Roman times.

The south block preserves 16 rooms/spaces which belonged to two Classical houses that were merged into a single, large house in the Hellenistic period. Walls, pebble floors (Fig. 3), stone-paved floors, a floor of beaten earth, drains, a threshold, wells, cisterns and shafts connecting the latter (Figs 4,5,6) were excavated in this complex and belong to several different rooms, auxiliary spaces and open courtyards. Some of the walls had rock-cut foundations. In addition, an engainion was found consisting of ashes, burnt animal bones and miniature pots – namely a plate and phialidia (Fig. 7). The pebble floors are dated to Hellenistic times and one of them belonged to a large, decorated open courtyard. The threshold, which is very large, appears to date to Hellenistic times too. This complex, unlike the north one, was in use in Roman times.  Much pottery was found and is currently under study (Figs 8,9).

M. Mika, I. Paspaliari and G. Peppas worked at the excavation.

[Entry created by C. Papadopoulou]