THOURIA - 2011

Anc. Thouria. X. Arapogianni (ASA) reports on the 2011 excavation season, which clarified the layout of the large public buildings on the terrace (the northernmost, Building A, was excavated in 2009, and the southernmost, Building Γ, in 2010).

The stylobate of Building B, south of Building A, was uncovered for a length of 11m, along which were the tumbled remains (bases and drums) of four ionic columns. The colonnade runs parallel to Building A, 4.2m away, and the two buildings, A and B, seem together to form an Ionic stoa containing shops or other rooms (Fig. 1). To the south, in front of the colonnade, was a drainage channel built of pebbles in hydraulic mortar, and two wells. Many architectural members from the stoa are preserved: in addition to the pilasters which flanked the east end, there are geison blocks with white plaster, an unfluted column, and an epistyle with traces of colour.

In front (south) of Building Γ, a temple, were three bases in situ (Fig. 2). One (missing the epikranion) bore an inscription recording that two parents, Aristophanes and Philotis, dedicated a statue of their son Philoxenos to Asklepios and Hygeia - thus confirming that the temple was dedicated to these healing deities. A pebble pavement surrounded the temple. In fill between the temple and the small church of the Panagia to the south were several Christian graves, all without offerings.

In the area between the stoa and the temple was a 0.2m thick layer containing a large quantity of animal bones (pigs, wild boar, bovines, and poultry), shell, sherds and ash. In two places, the soil was discoloured from burning probably of sacrifices.