STRATOS - 2005

Stratos. M. Stavropoulou-Gatsi (Director emerita, ΛΣτ’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports the discovery of antiquities in 18 locations (mostly on the plain between Stratos and Lepenoi) in the course of extensive renovation of the irrigation network west and north of the modern village. A large part of this area is within the boundaries of the archaeological site, but outside the fortification. Finds ranged in date from Geometric/Archaic to Byzantine. With a very few exceptions, work was confined to the narrow irrigation trenches. Notable finds include Classical-Hellenistic cist and tile graves with rich grave goods (pottery, bronze vessels, figurines etc.). By the modern road to Lepenoi, Hellenistic architectural remains (including walls of white unworked stones from the neighbouring gorges) were probably part of a larger agricultural installation: drainage channel 0.15m wide and built of stone slabs, was uncovered for a length of 8m. Elsewhere on the plain, close to the hill of the temple of Zeus Stratios, were two further Hellenistic building complexes. One, better constructed with walls of well-finished stone blocks, a white paved floor and an in situ threshold block (plus voids left by others), may be a public structure or a wealthy private house. Only one narrow strip was investigated: the remainder extends beneath the neighbouring agricultural road and orange grove. No Roman or Late Roman sites were found, but Byzantine settlement was, as well as a large Byzantine cemetery at Asprokklisia, near the remains of a chapel (37 cist graves were investigated).