KERAMEIKOS - 2016

Kerameikos. J. Stroszeck (DAI) reports on continued excavation of the wells and cisterns in the Kerameikos. In total 35 wells and 26 cisterns have been recorded (Fig. 1). In 2016 cisterns Z1 and Z23 were excavated. They are bell-shaped cisterns, 7 m. deep and were connected via a shaft (Figs. 2, 3). A second shaft runs southwards from cistern Z23 (Fig. 4). Z1 lies in the peristyle court of a house and appears to have been last used shortly before Sulla’s invasion of Athens (86 B.C.).

In addition, well B2, which lies in the courtyard of the Pompeion, was excavated. It was constructed in the 4^th c. B.C., abandoned in 86 B.C., and then used again in the 2^nd c. A.D., when the Roman Pompeion was completed (Figs. 5, 6). Well B34 was constructed in the late 4^th c. B.C. and remained in use for almost 1,000 years (with interruptions). A weight and an iron chain were found in this well (Figs. 7, 8). These may belong to a water extraction mechanism. The remains of a sacrifice and large numbers of curse tablets were found at the bottom of this well (Figs. 9). One meter above its bottom, a niche was revealed. It may have been dedicated to a spring deity (Fig. 10). Finally, a 3D reconstruction was produced of the sanctuary of Apollo Paian (Figs. 11, 12).