Intersection of Kyra-Vasilikis Street and Ieromnimonos Street (plot owned by E. Baikousi), Ioannina - 2009

Intersection of Kura-Vasilikis Street and Ieromnimonos Street (plot owned by E. Baikousi), Ioannina. Georgia Pliakou (IB’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on the continuation of excavations at this site, that had previously revealed a building of the Hellenistic period.

Hellenistic period remains were found to have been disturbed by Byzantine and Ottoman pits, and walls of Building 1 had been partially destroyed as a result. The SW part of the building was partially exposed, which extends to the N and E beyond the modern street (Fig. 2). Its S section consists of large rectangular blocks, probably used to repair the building at some stage. Four rooms were revealed, and a fifth whose NE corner only could be explored. The central area, Room 3, retains four walls and has dimensions 4.80 x 4.50m. Its floor was disturbed by post-Byzantine period pits, and a large quantity of Hellenistic pottery was found in this area, alongside lamps and perfume containers (Fig. 3,4). 

Outside the building, a road was identified of compacted soil and cobblestones. To the W, there were various architectural debris, suggesting that there were once other buildings that stood in this area. The discovery of a number of pithoi also suggested to the excavators that a market once stood here. Fragments of mortar and tile were found in the area, possibly dating to the Roman period, while most of the pottery is from the third and second centuries BC. 68 coins were found, including bronze coins from Amvrakia and silver coins from the League of Epiros. Under the roof tiles to the W a gold coin of the kingdom of Macedonia was found, with Apollo in a laurel on the obverse, and a racing chariot with the inscription ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ on the reverse.