AGATHONISI Kastraki (Anc. Tragaia) - 2006

Agathonisi (Anc. Tragaia). P. Triantaphyllidis (ΚΒ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports his discovery in 2001, and systematic excavation from 2006, of an EHel−ERom fortified settlement at Kastraki, overlooking the bay of Maistros. The associated anc. port now lies below sea level, adjacent to the E wall of the fortification. The N, E and W sides of the hill were fortified: an area of ca. 0.5ha lies within the walls.
The site was fortified in the EHel period (L4th−E3rdCt BC). The walls, which form an orthogonal shape ca.100m x 30m (h. 1−1.5m, d. as reported post excavation 1.8−2m.), are built from limestone extracted from a local anc. quarry. Dating rests on the construction technique (pseudo-isodomic with smaller stones plugging gaps) and on finds including Attic and Pergamene bg pottery, and many silver and bronze coins of Miletos. The fortified area was arranged in terraces, with traces of excavated steps evident at the W edge of the fortification.
Changes in the building scheme occurred during the 2nd and 1st Cts BC, a period of great instability in the Aegean. A rare find, which may be linked with the putting down of piracy, is part of a stamped inscription or decree on a terracotta roof tile (L2nd−E1st Ct BC). This refers to a military victory, possibly in the harbour of Tragaia: επί του / τρίτου / θεού πό / λεως ε / υλιμένου νίκης. The tile likely comes from a public building possibly erected to commemorate the victory. Excavation here continues. Finds to date include: terracotta figurines of kourotrophoi, ram-bearers, and animals and birds (for example, eagles), a quantity of metal objects such as a lead cover for a box and bronze fittings for household equipment and furniture, inscribed sherds and many architectural terracottas. These likely belong to the apothetes of a Hel sanctuary (probably a road-side shrine, since the location is close to the city gate).
Further S, outside the fortification, a system of cisterns is probably connected to wells. A large water cistern, 3.5m d.and 4m di., cut into the bedrock and lined with waterproof cement, was investigated on the upper terrace of the settlement. Important evidence for its date, and for that of the settlement, is provided by a deposit containing a large quantity of LHel and ERom household pottery, such as amphorae, beehives, basins, cookpots, red-slipped plates and lamps (many of which bear dedicatory inscriptions to Zeus Lykios on the base). Some 3,000 fragmentary vessels have been found, most of which were locally manufactured (the discovery of a terracotta potter’s wheel is noted). The significance of honey production is evident. Residue analysis is being conducted on a sample of the beehives at NCSR Democritos.
Purple dye was also produced on Agathonisi. Excavation has revealed part of a workshop for pigments and dyes, located on the fringes of the settlement. Two tanks were found, connected to each other by an overflow system, and, in them, large quantities of sea shell, much of which had been stored in a stone trough inside one of the tanks. These shells included a large proportion of murex brandaris from which deep purple-red dye is extracted. Several deposits of this type of shell, as well as shells of other gastropods, were found inside and around the tanks: many had been broken or crushed in antiquity. The tanks also contained traces of other pigments, such as yellow from antimonial lead and white.