Pallantio - 2009

Pallantio, Tripoli, site Mpataki, Municipality of Arkadia. Stamatis Frintzilas (ΛΘ’ EPKA) reports on the continuation of the excavation in the Mpataki site, 500 m. W of the Acropolis of Pallantio. The excavation was a result of the construction of a lake reservoir for lake Taka, located in the Municipality of Arkadia.

This year, for the protection of the excavation site from the rain, four metal covers were placed, in sectors Z and Η (fig. 1). The excavation was focused under these covers during the winter months.

Multiple walls were located in sector H, which was in the lower city of Pallantio. It was divided in three subsectors (fig. 2). The lower habitation layers, dated in the Archaic era, were below the second metal cover, in subsector H1 (fig. 3). In the same area, a late antiquity house (300 - 600 A.D., dated according to small findings) was unveiled, defined by three walls, all constructed with semi-worked stones and tile sherds. An adjunct a rectangular space (probably a tank), defined by four walls, seemingly putting out of use an earlier olive oil press was located (fig. 5). It was renovated with an opus spicatum floor during the Roman times, part of which was unveiled during the excavation process. Among small findings, a bronze coin, cut during the reign of emperor Valentinian II (375-392 A.D.) was found. Other findings include plate sherds, with imprinted decoration of palm tree branches and concentric cycles, a clay seal for bread etc. Additionally, a non-fluted marble column was located in the NE corner of subsector H1, next to the marble base of a perirranterion (vessel for lustral water) (fig. 4).

In subsector H2, some walls, which were visible since the 2008 excavation, were unearthed completely, along with a column base and multiple architectural members in second use (spolia). The column base belonged to the colonnade of a stoa dated to the Hellenistic times, oriented E-W. The open colonnade was abolished at some point, as the gap between the columns was walled in and formed the outside wall of a row of rooms. The opus spicatum mentioned above continued to this specific area and it spread out in front of the big doorway entrance to the building complex, and it was dated to the second century AD. Below the floor level, the excavation revealed two parallel rows of three stone column bases, oriented N-S. These bases bore rectangular holes in their middle, designed to hold wooden pillars to support the building. Small findings of the area include Late Roman monochrome pottery and coins. The excavation revealed that the stoa was in use until Late Antiquity, and that it was reformed in various ways, multiple times with Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, and late Roman phases. During the Roman times, old chambers were replaced by new ones, built right on top of them. Pottery found inside the building (large Megarean skyphoi and black painted pottery) was dated from the fourth century to the first century BC. S of this colonnade, the excavation revealed large architectural remains in second use (spolia) as flooring in the atrium. The pottery found in that last area was dated from the late Classical to the late Roman times.

Next to this building, the entire street of the city of Pallantio was revealed (fig. 6). It was 24 m. long, 3.60-2.40 m. wide, and was headed E-W. It related to the N outer side of the stoa building. It was stone-paved and it bore traces of carriages, as it was wide enough to fit two carriages. It led to the Acropolis’ center, where was also the sanctuary of the Clean Gods. Among small findings there were coins, as well as parts of sealed tiles with the inscription ΔΑΜΟΣΙΟ [Σ].

In subsector H3 was located the N part of the city’s fortifications’ foundation level, next to the ancient street, and it was also headed E-W. The fortifications present signs of repairs, which the author links to the sieging of Pallantio during the fourth century BC. Near the fortifications, a roman kiln was located, along with pottery products, inclining the presence of a pottery workshop, on top of the fortifications.

The entire excavation revealed a large amount of coins; bronze Corinthian coins ( late fourth century – 275 BC), bronze Sikyon coins (196-146 BC), first century BC coins, Roman coins etc.

The excavation was interrupted in early November 2009. Because of shortage of funding, the process was not completed.

[Entry created by E. Kourti]