Lathouriza, Vari - 2023
General Information
Record ID
18608
Activity Date
2023
Chronology
Key-words
Type of Operation
Institution
Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλίας (University of Thessaly)
Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Πειραιώς και Νήσων (Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and islands)
Localisation
Toponym
Vari
Vari
Linked Record
Report
Amygdalia Andreou reports on a collaboration between the Universities of Ioannina and Thessaly, under the direction of Alexandra Alexandridou and Alexandros Mazarakis Ainian, and the Ephorate of of Antiquities of Piraeus & Islands. This is the third of a 5-year systematic excavation project at the low hill of Lathouriza, in the region of Vari in Attica (fig.30).
The project aims at reexamining and excavating the place, which was excavated in the summer of 1939, by the archaeologist Phoivos Stavropoullos, under the direction of Georgios Oikonomos and the results of this excavation were never published.
During the preparation season of March 2021 and the first excavation season in the summer of 2022, the so-called “Tholos” of the south-eastern ridge of the hill was investigated, as well as the interior of all surrounding buildings. The architectural remains were documented through orthophotogrammetry. The site may be identified as yet another “peak sanctuary”, founded at some point during the seventh century BC. Cult was initially performed in the open air, centred around a horse-shoe shaped eschara. The foundation of the Tholos in the sixth century marked the main period of activity, as indicated by the volume of the votive material. Towards the end of the sixth or early in the fifth century, a number of buildings were founded in the immediate vicinity of the Tholos, the function and chronology of which remain unclear. Additionally, the small Π-shaped temple at the North ridge was investigated. During the excavation season in the summer of 2023, the summit, at the north-west side of the hill, was partly explored. The site comprises a fortification wall with a series of rooms set against the inner side. On the summit, two rectangular edifices were excavated, in use from the Classical period to the Roman era. Their function will be clarified following the study of the material.
The project aims at reexamining and excavating the place, which was excavated in the summer of 1939, by the archaeologist Phoivos Stavropoullos, under the direction of Georgios Oikonomos and the results of this excavation were never published.
During the preparation season of March 2021 and the first excavation season in the summer of 2022, the so-called “Tholos” of the south-eastern ridge of the hill was investigated, as well as the interior of all surrounding buildings. The architectural remains were documented through orthophotogrammetry. The site may be identified as yet another “peak sanctuary”, founded at some point during the seventh century BC. Cult was initially performed in the open air, centred around a horse-shoe shaped eschara. The foundation of the Tholos in the sixth century marked the main period of activity, as indicated by the volume of the votive material. Towards the end of the sixth or early in the fifth century, a number of buildings were founded in the immediate vicinity of the Tholos, the function and chronology of which remain unclear. Additionally, the small Π-shaped temple at the North ridge was investigated. During the excavation season in the summer of 2023, the summit, at the north-west side of the hill, was partly explored. The site comprises a fortification wall with a series of rooms set against the inner side. On the summit, two rectangular edifices were excavated, in use from the Classical period to the Roman era. Their function will be clarified following the study of the material.
Author
Georgios Mouratidis
Bibliographic reference(s)
Unpublished field report
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Date of creation
2023-09-12 17:01:22
Last modification
2024-01-19 09:55:30