Agios Georgios Langouras - 2006
Informations Générales
Numéro de la notice
8347
Année de l'opération
2006
Chronologie
Mots-clés
Ferme - Installation hydraulique - Canalisation - Citerne - Figurine - Four - Inscription - Monnaie - Flore - Métal - Verre
Nature de l'opération
Institution(s)
Localisation
Toponyme
Patra, Patras, Patrai, Patrae
Patra, Patras, Patrai, Patrae
Notices et opérations liées
Description
Agios Georgios Langouras. Lambrini Papakosta (ΣΤ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the discovery of architectural remains belonging to a Roman/post Roman farmstead (villa rustica) within which industrial activities took place. It covered an area of approximately 450 sq.m., with sixteen rooms identified (Χ1, Χ2α, Χ2β-Δ3, Χ2γ-Δ2, Χ3-Δ1, Χ4 - Χ12α & Χ12β, Δ6), of which eight were complete (Figs. 1, 2,3).
In the south-western part of the complex were three cisterns (Δ1, Δ2, Δ3) (Fig. 4), the first two used as wine presses (torcularia) and the third for the collection of the must (ypolinio) (Fig. 5). Cisterns Δ1 and Δ2 were connected by a clay pipe, while they were connected to Δ3 by a roundish pipe with a floor of Laconian tiles. The walls of the three cisterns preserved layers of limestone plaster which was thicker at the joints, suggesting continuous repair and use.
To the east of the cisterns was rectangular Room Χ1 (7.80x9.70x6.95 m.), at the centre of which was a rectangular feature (K1) made of alternating rows of stones and bricks, although its function remains unknown. Around K1 were a series of five large in situ but broken storage pithoi, placed within pits dug into the bedrock. One of these (Π11) had lead joints and was therefore probably used for storing solid goods. To the west of Π11 was a rectangular stone construction (K2) made of river pebbles and one roughly worked stone. Near to Π11 were found large quantities of carbonised olive seeds. In the south-eastern corner of Room X1 was part of a circular cistern (Δ4), lined internally with hydraulic plaster and probably used to store liquid. Based on the presence of the pithoi and cistern, along with large quantities of plain pottery, the excavator has attributed a storage function to Room X1.
Room Χ12α probably served a similar purpose, while the function of Rooms X4 and X5 remains unknown. Room Χ12α (6.45x4.7 m.) was probably an open space. Its floor consisted of square clay tiles resting on a layer of broken tiles, mortar and river pebbles, while in the middle were traces of burning. To the east of Χ12α was a small clay construction (0.9x0.7 m.) used as a hearth.
Room Χ6 was a later addition to the complex, built in the south-east and south-west parts rooms Χ12α and Χ12β respectively. Room X6 was rectangular in shape (2.9x2.2 m. interior) with walls roughly made of river pebbles and mortar. In the middle of the room and underneath a thick layer of stones and fragments of tiles and bricks, was part of an unfluted limestone column. In the same area was a circular structure consisting of successive rows of river pebbles bound with clayish soil, next to which was a pithos which was internally lined with hydraulic plaster.
Room X7 (7.3x6.1 m.) was rectangular in shape and contained a horse-shoe shaped hearth (K4) and a rectangular structure (K5) of unknown function. Large quantities of charcoal were present around both features, while around K5 were a large number of bronze coins.
Room X8 (6.1x2.5-4.25 m.) was located to the east of X7 and contained a small structure with its western and southern walls built with tile fragments and plastered internally and externally, possibly a cistern. Large quantities of stone tesserae as well as fragments of tegulae mammatae were also collected.
Room Χ9 (10.3x0.8 m.) was rectangular in shape and served as a corridor providing access to Rooms Χ7, Χ8, Χ10 and Χ11.
In the north-east of the complex was a square (4.45 m.) cistern Δ6 which was 1.12-2.10 m. high. Carefully built using the opus testaceum and opus caementicium systems, it was internally and externally lined with hydraulic plaster. Its western wall was supported by three retaining walls of 1.1 m. in length and to a preserved height of 0.45-1.55 m. The whole complex was built on a foundation of small river pebbles mixed with whitish mortar, sunk into the bedrock. In the outer south-eastern corner of the complex was a roughly made tile covered grave containing a child burial placed directly in the soil. The body was in an extended position and aligned on an E-W axis, with the head facing west.
Most of the walls were constructed using the Roman opus quasi-reticulatum and opus mixtum techniques. Made of stones, clay bricks and lime mortar mixed with small pebbles and other materials, they were preserved to a height of between 0.1-0.55 m. and between 0.55-0.65 m. in width. There was also evidence for many phases of repair.
The finds included plain pottery including cooking and storage vessels, clay figurines, fragments of glass jars, glass beads, jewellery, ground stone and organic tools, clay and stone loom-weights, lead and iron objects, building materials of limestone and marble, animal remains as well as a large quantity of bronze coins. Based on the finds, the excavator has suggested a farmstead with an additional commercial or industrial function. The discovery of a fragmentary plaque with the inscription LEG XII, suggests that the building may have also been used as a residence for veteran of the XII Legion. The discovery of a coin minted during the reign of Emperor Arcadius may point to use of the complex from the second half of the 2nd to the first half of the 3rd centuries AD. The evidence suggests that the farmstead was finally destroyed by fire.
In the south-western part of the complex were three cisterns (Δ1, Δ2, Δ3) (Fig. 4), the first two used as wine presses (torcularia) and the third for the collection of the must (ypolinio) (Fig. 5). Cisterns Δ1 and Δ2 were connected by a clay pipe, while they were connected to Δ3 by a roundish pipe with a floor of Laconian tiles. The walls of the three cisterns preserved layers of limestone plaster which was thicker at the joints, suggesting continuous repair and use.
To the east of the cisterns was rectangular Room Χ1 (7.80x9.70x6.95 m.), at the centre of which was a rectangular feature (K1) made of alternating rows of stones and bricks, although its function remains unknown. Around K1 were a series of five large in situ but broken storage pithoi, placed within pits dug into the bedrock. One of these (Π11) had lead joints and was therefore probably used for storing solid goods. To the west of Π11 was a rectangular stone construction (K2) made of river pebbles and one roughly worked stone. Near to Π11 were found large quantities of carbonised olive seeds. In the south-eastern corner of Room X1 was part of a circular cistern (Δ4), lined internally with hydraulic plaster and probably used to store liquid. Based on the presence of the pithoi and cistern, along with large quantities of plain pottery, the excavator has attributed a storage function to Room X1.
Room Χ12α probably served a similar purpose, while the function of Rooms X4 and X5 remains unknown. Room Χ12α (6.45x4.7 m.) was probably an open space. Its floor consisted of square clay tiles resting on a layer of broken tiles, mortar and river pebbles, while in the middle were traces of burning. To the east of Χ12α was a small clay construction (0.9x0.7 m.) used as a hearth.
Room Χ6 was a later addition to the complex, built in the south-east and south-west parts rooms Χ12α and Χ12β respectively. Room X6 was rectangular in shape (2.9x2.2 m. interior) with walls roughly made of river pebbles and mortar. In the middle of the room and underneath a thick layer of stones and fragments of tiles and bricks, was part of an unfluted limestone column. In the same area was a circular structure consisting of successive rows of river pebbles bound with clayish soil, next to which was a pithos which was internally lined with hydraulic plaster.
Room X7 (7.3x6.1 m.) was rectangular in shape and contained a horse-shoe shaped hearth (K4) and a rectangular structure (K5) of unknown function. Large quantities of charcoal were present around both features, while around K5 were a large number of bronze coins.
Room X8 (6.1x2.5-4.25 m.) was located to the east of X7 and contained a small structure with its western and southern walls built with tile fragments and plastered internally and externally, possibly a cistern. Large quantities of stone tesserae as well as fragments of tegulae mammatae were also collected.
Room Χ9 (10.3x0.8 m.) was rectangular in shape and served as a corridor providing access to Rooms Χ7, Χ8, Χ10 and Χ11.
In the north-east of the complex was a square (4.45 m.) cistern Δ6 which was 1.12-2.10 m. high. Carefully built using the opus testaceum and opus caementicium systems, it was internally and externally lined with hydraulic plaster. Its western wall was supported by three retaining walls of 1.1 m. in length and to a preserved height of 0.45-1.55 m. The whole complex was built on a foundation of small river pebbles mixed with whitish mortar, sunk into the bedrock. In the outer south-eastern corner of the complex was a roughly made tile covered grave containing a child burial placed directly in the soil. The body was in an extended position and aligned on an E-W axis, with the head facing west.
Most of the walls were constructed using the Roman opus quasi-reticulatum and opus mixtum techniques. Made of stones, clay bricks and lime mortar mixed with small pebbles and other materials, they were preserved to a height of between 0.1-0.55 m. and between 0.55-0.65 m. in width. There was also evidence for many phases of repair.
The finds included plain pottery including cooking and storage vessels, clay figurines, fragments of glass jars, glass beads, jewellery, ground stone and organic tools, clay and stone loom-weights, lead and iron objects, building materials of limestone and marble, animal remains as well as a large quantity of bronze coins. Based on the finds, the excavator has suggested a farmstead with an additional commercial or industrial function. The discovery of a fragmentary plaque with the inscription LEG XII, suggests that the building may have also been used as a residence for veteran of the XII Legion. The discovery of a coin minted during the reign of Emperor Arcadius may point to use of the complex from the second half of the 2nd to the first half of the 3rd centuries AD. The evidence suggests that the farmstead was finally destroyed by fire.
Auteur de la notice
Michael Loy
Références bibliographiques
ADelt 62 (2007) Chr., 478-483
Légende graphique :
localisation de la fouille/de l'opération
localisation du toponyme
polygone du toponyme Chronique
Fonctionnalités de la carte :
sélectionner un autre fond de plan
se rapprocher ou s'éloigner de la zone
afficher la carte en plein écran
Date de création
2020-06-03 13:11:01
Dernière modification
2024-01-17 09:54:52
Figure(s)
Fig. 1/ City map of Patras showing the excavated plots
Fig. 2/ Excavation plan, section and profile drawings
Fig. 3/ General view of the excavation from the south-west
Fig. 4/ Aerial view of the excavation from the east
Fig. 5/ Detailed view of the wine press and cisterns