DOLIANA - 2005

Agios Georgios, Doliana (land of S. Alexiou). A. Karaberidi (8th EBA) reports the completion of excavation in the Early Christian basilica, with the exposure of the central area and the south section of the narthex.

The central part of the narthex (14x4m) is narrower than the side sections (5.5m north and 3.8x5m south). Piers rose in the corners of the north and south sides, and in the west at the junction of the central and side sections of the narthex. Five doorways in the central part communicated with the nave and aisles, and with the two adjunct areas, and there were two further doors in the west wall. Part of the southern door in the west wall and the communicating doorway with the southern side section were walled off at a later stage. Traces of wall-paintings were found on the east wall of the central part of the narthex. The mosaic floors of the narthex was found almost intact: these had garlands in the borders and in the rectangular central panels, foliate ornament (in the south section), and three panels (in the central area) with a four-leafed arrangement of interlocking circles in the two outer and in the central panel a circle surrounding a (lost) medallion with a garland around it and ‘pinecone’ like ornament. Peacocks decorated the four corners of the central area.

Trial excavation outside the building for the supports of a new roof revealed walling parallel to the south wall.