APTERA - 2005

Aptera. V. Niniou-Kindeli (KE’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports that pottery recovered during conservation of the fortification walls dates their construction shortly before the mid fourth century BC. Under a layer of fallen material lay a layer containing numerous catapult bolts, slingshots and other metal weapons. The same area produced numerous Hellenistic (third- and second-century) graves with inscribed stelae. Pottery from the area consisted principally of lamps found with animal bones and ash. Northwest of these deposits, close to the road leading into the city, large grave monuments had been looted and damaged. One (first-century AD, Trajanic) example had a marble relief depicting a young couple. A second, alongside it, had an underground burial chamber and is dated by associated finds (local figurines, glass vessels, and lamps) to the first century BC-first century AD. To the south lay a rectangular tower around which were infant graves plus pyres with elaborate vases, animal bones and seeds: the earliest date to the third quarter of the fourth century BC.

Excavation on the property of E. Barbouni revealed a high density of Geometric to Roman graves (87 in total). Two seventh- to sixth-century burial pithoi were used as grave covers in the Hellenistic period. A third was in situ but disturbed by a Roman burial. More numerous later burials consisted of shallow pits dug into the rock: ten Roman chamber tombs (all looted) were also found. Despite looting, some of the pit graves held bronze coins, figurines, and local or imported pottery.

Thirty-eight more pit graves were uncovered on the property of S. and M. Mechelioudaki. Many third-century BC lamps (and fewer second-century), plus some fourth-century grey unguentaria, were collected. There were also figurine fragments, a Plaketten amphora, and a silver coin.