DION - 2006

Dion. D. Pantermalis (Aristotelian University, Thessaloniki) reports on a further season of excavation and site conservation.
Trial trenches S of the Temple of Asklepios revealed no building remains, just an isolated sarcophagus, the presence of which is hard to explain.
In the sector of the Hydraulis, excavation continued in the NW part of the insula. The stoa and stylobate (revealed in previous years) were traced along the entire W side of the insula, demonstrating that the cardo of the city was a colonnaded street. Immediately E, the presence of a rectangular room precludes a cross-street: this room was likely used for the preparation of lime. Rooms discovered in this area date to the 2nd−3rd Ct AD: a floor at a higher level dates to the 4th Ct AD, coinciding with evidence previously noted in the W part of the insula.
In the agora, the stratigraphical sequence W of rooms 11−13 was examined, revealing 3 Rom phases above Hel walls (reported in full by S. Piniatoglou). A potter’s kiln in the NW part of the agora (discovered in 2001) was further investigated. This rectangular structure (3.7 x 3.5m) had 4 pairs of columns supporting the chamber; the exterior and chamber floor were finished in clay. Surrounding rooms were transformed into workshop space following the establishment of the kiln and the area probably served as a tile works − finished tiles, metal tools and masses of unbaked clay were found. The kiln was destroyed by fire and abandoned.
The House of Athena, close to the Villa of Dionysos, was further investigated. Four stoas surrounded the courtyard with the impluvium, with 2 rectangular rooms off each: one room on the E side served as the tablinium. The entire complex was built in the same Rom phase, and subsequently abandoned after flooding and not reoccupied. Portable finds include (in addition to pottery) a marble table and 2 malachite sealstones: the house takes its name from a relief depicting Athena with a snake. Cleaning of the central N−S road revealed a paved cross-road running E; this then turns S, at the same elevation as the road in front of the Villa of Dionysos.
The statue of Hera reported in AR 53 ([2006−2007], 67) as found built into a ECh wall, is discussed with illustration.

S. Piniatoglou (Aristotelian University, Thessaloniki) reports on the completion of excavation in the Sanctuary of Asklepios. E of the temple, 2 rooms of an Imperial Rom stoa were revealed, founded upon a Hel construction. Fragments of marble statuary include a crouching boy characteristic of sanctuaries of Asklepios and related deities. Piniatoglou concludes with a summary of evidence for the Hel city.