LEMNOS. – Hephaestia - 2007

Hephaestia. E. Greco (Director, SAIA) reports on continuing exploration of the area of the Isthmus wall. Trenches were opened at the foundation of the Ar wall corresponding to the walls of the LH settlement previously noted (Fig. 1). Among the oldest sherds (from the deep levels of the levelling fill over the sterile clay level) are classes dating back to LH IIIA2. The structures immediately following these first phases date to LH IIIC L.
N of the boundary wall (and of uncertain date) are 2 EByz rooms set side by side on the ridge of the Ar wall. Amphorae, storage vessels, terra sigillata, and a coin date to the 6th Ct AD. One room contained architectural spolia.
Outside the boundary wall, close to the monument with limestone blocks, the NW corner of the westernmost room of the rectangular building with benches discovered in 2005 was also explored. Among Ar finds are many sherds of the karchesion shape (common in cult buildings excavated in the town). A new room belonging to the same complex was found in the W side, covered by a major L Imperial dump. A test was made in the NE corner of the W room to investigate the foundations of the walls.