Listed 45 sub titles with search on: Archaeological sites for wider area of: "NORTH AEGEAN Region GREECE" .
PYTHAGORIO (Small town) SAMOS
DRAKANOS (Ancient city) AGIOS KIRYKOS
One of the best preserved examples of Athenian military watchtowers
from the Hellenistic period, Drakano Fortress and its fortifications were built
during the time of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. This 44-foot high
limestone tower served as an observation point for Aegean Sea traffic sailing
the channel between Ikaria and Samos. The tower was part of a larger garrison
and eventual Ikarian city that was noted for its wine production. In 1827 the
tower was damaged by Greek naval forces who used it for target practice. Near
the tower stands the solitary Church of St. George, and below the church is the
remote sandy beach of St. Giorgis. Access to Drakano is via a dirt road leading
from the seaside village of Faros. The road ends where a footpath begins, and
visitors must then hike about 15 minutes north to the fortress area.
This extract is cited October 2004 from the Ikarian Enterprises
URL below, which contains image
KOTZINOS (Port) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
Kotsinas (older name Kotsinos or Kotzinos) was Hephaestia's seaport. His growth
is believed to have contributed to the decline of Hephaestias at the Byzantine
years. Indeed it was reported also as capital of the island at the later Byzantine
years and was fortified with castle probably manufactured by the Venetians. Today
minimal traces of the castle are rescued and the church of Zoodohos Pigi with
the "holy water", spring of water in the depth of the rock.
HERAION (Ancient sanctuary) SAMOS
According to Greek Mythology, this was Hera's birthplace as well as
the place she grew up in and the location where she married Zeus. The Heraion
is located in a place near the east riverbank of the Imbrassos River. Herodotus
attributes its establishment to the Leleges. Hera accepted the adoration of the
Goddess Gaea, which was officially accepted on the island along with the settlement
of Ions. Heraion's fame and power enlarges in the middle of the 7th century. This
is evident by the plethora of structures that were built around the Temple as
well as the ex votoes (statues of Hera, huge vases and pithoi) that are offered
by many Greek cities. For this reason, a large colonnade was built so they could
be kept safe. South of the large altar, a series of stone foundations have been
preserved, which supported the ship dedicated by Kolaeos to Hera in addition to
the large bronze lebes. Nude Games and Music Competitions took place in Hera's
honor, a celebration that took place twice a year (?eraia and Tonea). The area
was looted and destroyed in the 3rd century A.D. Two centuries later, a Christian
Church in the form of a three-aisle basilica will be constructed in its place.
The excavations of the Heraion site begin in 1902 and continue periodically, until
today.
Three older Temples preceded the Heraion area : the Ekatompedon I
and Ekatompedon II as well as the Temple of Rhoikos and Theodoros. The Temple
of Hera was built upon the remains of the Temple previously mentioned, which was
destroyed by a fire shortly after it was built. The Temple of Hera is still preserved
today. It was built in 530 B.C. (within the same period of Polycrates' tyranny).
Limestone was used to construct the Temple except in the case of the bases and
capitals that were made from marble. Due to the Athenian domination, construction
was never completed. The south columns were constructed during the Hellenistic
times whilst the remaining single column that is preserved in its place today
dates back to the same period. The Great Altar was built simultaneously with the
Temple, in the original altar's place. The Altar had been restored seven times
until then. It was a large, rectangular building (3 meters in height).
A significant number of buildings were constructed around the Temple.
Thus, in the beginning of the 6th century, the large Temple of Hermes and Aphrodite
was built whilst during the 7th century, the sacred cisterns were built in addition
to the large Ionic colonnade (70 meters in length) in the north. Ex votoes, statues
and small temples were built periodically. A small staircase was built in the
Roman Temple's facade during the 2nd century A.D. It was probably built to serve
the needs of the Roman Temple, which had been built at that time. Gradually, during
the same period, a settlement was created (the remains from a Roman home are preserved).
The pavement of the Sacred Road is built in the 3rd century, which unites the
Temple to the Pythagorean city and upon which they had placed ex votoes and statues.
This text is cited May 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs URL below.
KAVIRIO (Ancient sanctuary) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
It is found in the region of Chloy in the North side of the island
in a location with impressive view of Samothrace
across, where Kaveirioi were also worshipped. According to mythology, "Kaveirioi"
were the three sons and the three daughters of Hephaestus and were worshipped
in Limnos as deities. Their adoration was intensely mystic and it included the
ceremonies that remained known as the "Kaveira Mysteries" and they were related
with the rebirth of nature and the fertility. Kaveirio was the centre of this
adoration. The excavations have brought in the light the sanctuary of the adoration
that knew long period of life from the first limnian period (8th century B.C.)
to the later antiquity. In the rocky coast is also found the cave of the mythic
Filoktiti that was abandoned by his companions in the expedition against Troia.
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Municipality of Moudros URL below.
MYRINA (Ancient city) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
Artemis it is reported by the sources as Myrina's patron saint. The construction work of big hotel in north of Myrjna towards the beach of Avlona, led to the discovery of the sanctuary of Tavropolou Artemis.The sanctuary consists of a central building with paved outdoor space, from both sides of which auxiliary rooms for adoration are opened. The discoveries that are dated from the 7th century B.C. and include ceramic figurines among which effigies of bulls and relic of sacrifice of a young bull, are exposed in the museum of Myrina.
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Municipality of Moudros URL below.
EMBORIOS (Port) CHIOS
The English Archeological School brought to light the ancient settlement of Emporeios. It is located on the southwestern side of Prophet Elias' hill. The settlement was founded in the 8th century BC by the Ionians and was abandoned at the end of the 2nd century BC. At the top of the hill a citadel enclosed within walls was founded. Inside the fortification there is a palace like building, which is supposed to have been the ruler's residence. A sanctum consecrated to Athena (Minerva) patroness of the settlement, was erected and it dates back to the 6th century BC. To the western side of the hill outside the settlement's walls, there are remains of houses and streets. Near the port of Emporeios there is a second sanctuary, called 'sanctuary of the port' because the consecrated' divinity is still unknown. All findings from the settlement are exhibited in the archeological museum of Chios.
MYTILINI (Ancient city) LESVOS
It is on the pine-clad hill of Ayia Kyriaki northwest of Mytilene.
It came to light during excavations carried out in 1958 and it is considered one
of the biggest theatres of antiquity, with a capacity of 15,000 people and perfect
acoustics. According to tradition, during a visit to Lesvos the Roman Emperor
Pompey decided to build a similar one in Rome.
This text is cited Jan 2003 from the Prefecture of Lesvos URL below, which contains image.
FANE (Ancient city) CHIOS
The excavations carried out in the locality of Kato Fana, by the English Archeological School in collaboration with Koutouriotis, revealed an important center of adoration that had been active since the 9th century BC. During the Byzantine Age, however, this place was transformed into a center of Christian devotion and so, today, there is the church of Agios Theodoros.
MAKARA (Ancient city) LESVOS
The site has not been excavated and there is not enough evidence available
concerning its history. The well-built ("kaloktistos") retaining wall, constructed
in the so-called Lesbian masonry is dated to the Archaic period. Today it is visible
up to the height of around ca.3 m.
The area was declared an archaeological site in 1960, 1991 and 1992,
and more specifically, the fortification wall was declared in 1964 and a group
of retaining walls near Kaloktistos, in 1962.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
POLIOCHNI (Prehistoric settlement) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
A rectangular building with a double row of stepped seats on the long
sides, at the southwest side of the hill of Poliochni.
It dates back to prehistoric times (Early Bronze Age), around 3000
and 2100 BC. It was presumably used as a kind of "Bouleuterion". According to
italian archaeologists, who were in charge of the excavations in the area, the
"Bouleuterion" at Poliochni served as a meeting-place for the "notables", the
representatives of the families of the settlement. They got together to work on
the problems of this early community.
According to the archaeologists mentioned above, the "Bouleuterion"
of Poliochni represents the earliest evidence of Democracy on european ground.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Foundation of the Hellenic World URL below.
PYTHAGORIO (Small town) SAMOS
Tel: +30 210 3307400, 3307416
Fax: +30 210 3814762
KARFAS (Settlement) CHIOS
Further down is the area of Korakies, once the site of the stone quarries, hundreds
of years old, which produced the famous Thymiana stone. The remains of other similar
quarries are in the areas of Karavo, Agios Dimitris, Platia Rachi, Stenaka and
elsewhere.
HERAION (Ancient sanctuary) SAMOS
Site: Samos, Heraion
Type: Temple
Summary: The Great Hera Temple is opposite the cult altar in the
Sanctuary of Hera at Samos
Date: 510 B.C. - 460 B.C.
Period: Archaic/Classical
Plan:
A dipteral (double colonnade) temple with a 3rd row of columns at front and back
(3 rows of 8 along front and 3 rows of 9 along back). Ionic order. Pronaos and
cella divided into 3 aisles by two rows of columns. Steps at front added in Roman
period.
History:
Construction lasted over a century and possibly never completed. Built as part
of the tyrant Polykrates' building campaign over the earlier dipteral temple of
architects Rhoikos and Theodoros. Stood in ruins by 170 A.D.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 3 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Samos, Heraion
Type: Temple Summary: Hera Temple built by architects Rhoikos and
Theodoros stood opposite the cult altar in Sanctuary of Hera, Samos
Date: 570 B.C. - 560 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
A dipteral (double colonnade) Ionic temple with a square pronaos and a cella equal
in length to the total width of stylobate. Cella and pronaos divided into 3 aisles
by 2 rows of columns. A double row of 8 columns and a double row of 10 columns
along the front and back of the stylobate. Presumed that columns at front lined
up with the double row of internal cella and pronaos columns.
History:
In same location as earlier hekatompedon temples. Built by Rhoikos and Theodoros.
The first of the giant Ionic temples. Destroyed ca. a decade after its completion,
possibly by earthquake.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 2 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Samos, Heraion
Type: Temple
Summary: Temple A, NW of altar and center court of Sanctuary of
Hera, Samos
Date: 575 B.C. - 550 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Small non-peripteral temple with almost square cella and a pronaos in antis. A
single step ran around the building. Inside a cult statue base stands against
center of rear wall, opposite the single entrance.
History:
Built in the mid-6th c. B.C., the temple is aligned with an earlier version of
the cult altar. It may have housed the cult statue of Hera during the construction
of the later temple and altar of Hera.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Samos, Heraion
Type: Temple
Summary: Temple B is N of the main altar in Sanctuary of Hera, Samos
Date: 575 B.C. - 525 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Small non-peripteral temple with rectangular cella and pronaos in antis. May have
had 2 Ionic columns in antis and a statue base in center of cella. A single step
ran around the building.
History:
A new floor and repairs made after earthquake damage in late 6th c. B.C. Replaced
by a wider and shorter temple in antis (which used original W and S walls) in
2nd or 1st c. B.C. Later temple may have been distyle in antis.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Samos, Heraion
Type: Temple
Summary: Temple C, immediately N of main altar in Sanctuary of Hera,
Samos
Date: 550 B.C. - 500 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
A peripteral (6 x 11) temple, distyle in antis, probably of Ionic order. Colonnade
stood on separate foundations, not on stylobate. Uncertain if antae extended to
front of structure (as reconstructed) or if there were 6 columns along the front--as
along the back. Double row of columns stood inside the deep pronaos and possibly
inside the cella as well (not shown on reconstruction).
History:
The late Archaic temple was radically rebuilt (with new cella and pronaos) in
Roman era, ca. 1st c. A.D.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Samos, Heraion
Type: Temple
Summary: Temple D, NE of Temple A in Sanctuary of Hera, Samos
Date: 550 B.C. - 500 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
A non-peripteral temple (or possibly treasury) with an almost square cella and
a pronaos and an opisthodomos, both in antis. A single door in center of the pronaos.
History:
Built in second half of 6th c. B.C
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Samos, Heraion
Type: Temple
Summary: First Hekatompedon temple of Hera, opposite the cult altar
in Sanctuary of Hera, Samos
Date: 800 B.C. - 700 B.C.
Period: Geometric
Plan:
The oldest temple in the sanctuary. A long cella with open front faced the altar
to the E. The cella had a central row of wooden columns on stone slab bases and
a limestone cult statue base at W end. Debated, but generally accepted as being
peripteral (6 x 17), as reconstructed on plan.
History:
Few remains, but stylistically dated to 8th c. B.C.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Samos, Heraion
Type: Temple
Summary: 2nd Hekatompedon temple of Hera, built over the 1st Hekatompedon
in Sanctuary of Hera, Samos
Date: 675 B.C. - 625 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
A rebuilt Hekatompedon on same site as the first. Cella remained same size, but
colonnade increased and central row of columns removed from cella. Colonnade was
square wooden piers resting on cult stone round bases. Inside cella a bench-like
projection ran around 3 walls. This may have served for seating or as base for
interior supports to reduce free span of the roof. Temple may have stood on earth
podium as at the North Building.
History:
Replaced 1st Hekatompedon in mid-7th c. B.C. and demolished in 6th c. B.C. to
make room for the Rhoikos temple.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 2 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Samos, Heraion
Type: Altar
Summary: Monumental altar in center of Sanctuary of Hera
Date: 560 B.C. - 550 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
A three-sided open-air platform with a broad staircase in antis on its west side.
N and S walls serve as antae with sculptured pilaster capitals (see 3 details).
History:
At least 7 earlier altars beneath present structure, the oldest dating to the
Late Bronze Age. The limestone of the Archaic altar (possibly built by Rhoikos)
was replaced with marble in early Roman period and the Archaic reliefs were copied
in the old style.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 4 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Samos, Heraion
Type: Treasury
Summary: Hellenistic rectangular building, S of Sacred Way that
leads to main altar in Sanctuary of Hera, Samos
Date: 330 B.C. - 80 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
Almost square structure with two doorways opening obliquely to the Sacred Way.
Opposite the doorways borders set in the marble floor set off the interior SE
and SW corners. The location, orientation, and floor of this unique building may
indicate that it was an open "treasury" to display and protect valuable votive
dedications, but its true function is unknown.
History:
Hellenistic date is indicated by the use of green-gray poros stone in foundations.
Remains of mortared walls show modification or repairs of Roman date.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Samos, Heraion
Type: Temple
Summary: "North Building" located immediately north of the main
altar at Sanctuary of Hera, Samos
Date: 560 B.C. - 500 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
The second largest temple at the site, it was a peripteral (5 x 12) temple of
Ionic order with double row of columns at front and rear. Temple rested on an
artificial earth platform, probably with steps along the front. No pronaos, but
cella was deep and open to the front, facing the Sacred Way. The adyton had two
doorways and a single row of interior columns ran the length of the cella and
adyton.
History:
Original mid-6th c. B.C. temple of cella and adyton built on an artificial terrace
received the addition of a colonnade later in the century.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Samos, Heraion
Type: Stoa
Summary: South Stoa, SW of the main altar in Sanctuary of Hera,
Samos
Date: 700 B.C. - 550 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Long, hall-like building divided into 3 equal parts. Open along the long NW side.
Rows of wooden columns, along open side and down center of building supported
a hipped roof of terracotta rooftiles. Before the hall was a flagstone paved,
4 m. wide court.
History:
Built at the time of the 2nd Hekatompedon and originally formed SW boundary of
the sanctuary. One of the earliest stoas known. Demolished in 6th c. B.C. to make
room for the larger Hera temple and the South Building.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 2 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Site: Samos, Heraion
Type: Stoa
Summary: North West Stoa, NW of main altar and W of N gate at Sanctuary
of Hera, Samos
Date: 550 B.C. - 300 B.C.
Period: Archaic/Classical
Plan:
Long, hall-like building with the N temenos wall as its real wall. Open along
its length facing the Hekatompedon. A continuous structure subdivided into 8 or
more sections (plan shows 3 of the sections).
History:
Apparently not built all at once, but section by section.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
Region: Sporades
Periods: Dark Age, Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman
Type: Sanctuary
Summary: Sanctuary of Hera.
Physical Description:
The Heraion is located in marshy ground at the mouth of
the river Imbrasos ca. 6 km W of the ancient capital city of Samos.
Description:
The earliest evidence for occupation at the site goes back
to the Early Bronze Age, but the first structures of a definite religious character
(altar and temple) date to the Dark Ages. The sanctuary may have served a local
Carian divinity originally, but the Hellenic religion probably arrived with the
early Ionian colonists. According to Greek myth, it was here, beside a sacred
bush, that Hera was born and married. A festival was held every year at the Heraion
to celebrate the marriage of Hera and Zeus. In the mid 6th century B.C. the sanctuary
was enlarged and embellished during the reign of Polycrates and the 1st Great
Hera Temple was built by the architect Rhoikos. At ca. 530 B.C. Samos was captured
by the Persians and the Hera Temple was destroyed by fire. A 2nd Great Temple
was started at the end of the 6th century B.C., but it was never completed. Samos
was a member of the Delian League and became an Athenian colony in 365 B.C. After
190 B.C. Samos came under the control of Pergamon and finally under Roman rule.
The sanctuary continued to develop throughout the Hellenistic and Roman periods,
but was plundered a number of times by pirates and barbarians during its later
history. It was also plundered by Antony in 39 B.C., but Augustus restored many
of its art works.
Exploration:
Visited by Society of Dilettanti in 1812 and Ross in 1841.
Minor test excavations by Gerard, Clerc, Kavvadias and Sophulis at end of 19th
century. Excavated by German Archaeological Institute 1910-14, 1925-39, and since
1952.
Donald R. Keller, ed.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 12 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks.
MYRINA (Ancient city) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
Outside the castle's walls in the Eastern side are found the ruins of a Neolithic
settlement with appreciable elements of precocious urban planning.
In Riha Nera of Myrina, interesting elements and building relic of a centre of
Precocious Copper era came up thanks to the continuing researches, very probably
with parallel historical way with that of Poliohnis'.
POLIOCHNI (Prehistoric settlement) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
In the Eastern side of the island in the location Voroskopos near
the village Kaminia,
the neolithic settlement of Poliohni is found. It was discovered by the Italian
Archaeological Faculty of Athens in the summertime of 1930. It is about a big
part of a settlement of the Precocious Era of Copper, with a lot of phases of
architectural and cultural growth that cover entire the 3rd B.C. millenary. The
excavations symbolized each architectural phase with a separate colour distinguishing
seven periods in total, the last ones of which coincide with corresponding from
Troia across. Poliohni
is considered to be the first constituted settlement of Europe. With barns and
the first (worldwide) space of aggregation and consultation (chamber of deputies).
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Municipality of Moudros URL below.
MORIA (Small town) MYTILINI
It is at a distance of 600m. from the village of Moria (6 km
from Mytilene ). It is a stone construction built during the Roman era (2nd century
AD), that supplied water to Mytilene from the springs of the Ayiassos area. Today
it is under restoration and the visitor can admire a part of it, the so-called
"Kamares" (arches): twelve columns standing erect holding seven arches
curved in gray marble from a neighboring quarry. At the top of the construction
stood the water pipe. The water came from the lake Megali Limni (Mt Olympus),
and along its 22km route it collected water from other springs too. Other parts
of the aqueduct have been found at gorges in central Lesvos. At the area of Moria,
the Aqueduct was 170 meters long, 27 meters high and had 17 arches.
This text is cited Jan 2003 from the Prefecture of Lesvos URL below, which contains image.
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