Anc. HELIKE - 2000

Ancient Helike. E.-I. Kolia (Στ' ΕΠΚΑ) reports on geomorphological research undertaken by the University of Patras. Twenty one cores were taken, 10 mechanically to a depth of 13m (at Limnes, Paliotaratses Helike, Helike, Nikoleïka, Rodia and Nea Keryneia) and 11 by hand to a depth of 7.5m (in the area of Limnes and sites between Rizomylos and Nikoleïka). Magnetometry survey focused on the previously researched area of Helike (at Tsinoukeïka and Paliotaratses) and a first exploration of Limnes and Rizomylos.

Antiquities were found in five of the 10 test trenches opened for geological purposes. Three Byzantine and five Roman tombs were discovered. The Byzantine graves comprise one pit containing a double burial, one tile grave with a pair of bronze earrings, and one reburial. The Roman graves are one pit, three tile graves (one of which contained a red-slip prochous and a lamp, and another an unglazed prochous, a lamp and a bronze coin) and one reburial. Finds in other trenches include an angle of two Byzantine walls with a small portion of a cobbled floor(?) at a lower level, a further wall angle and part of a cobbled road(?) surface with a wall, which produced a bronze coin of Sikyon.