ATHENS-Hadrian's Library - 2008

Athens, Hadrian’s Library. D. Sourlas (Α’ ΕΠΚΑ) reports on new discoveries in the precinct of Hadrian’s Library. After the removal of the conservation labs and modern storerooms from the site (Fig 1), the following finds were excavated:
a) The basement of the Ottoman barracks. This is an oblong room with rubble walls and four strong pillars. The remains of a stairway were located at its eastern end (Figs 2,3).
b) An Ottoman (or later) cistern (Fig 4).
c) The SW corner of the South Oikema of Hadrian’s Library (Fig 5,6). The Oikema was constructed from aktite stone. Five block courses were excavated. Two walls by the west wall of the Oikema may belong to the Ottoman barracks. Drains and floors were also revealed and dated in the Ottoman or later periods.

Additional finds include numerous fragments from architectural parts, sculptures and inscriptions; amongst these are a column bearing an inscription in Latin, a fragment from an altar for votive offerings (Fig 7), part of a marble statuette of a seated female deity (Fig 8), and a decorated fragment from the entablature of a building (Fig 9).