Archaeological Site of Pellana

  In 1926 two relatively small tholos tombs were excavated by Th. Karachalios on the site "Spelies". On the same site a vaulted cutting was discovered in 1970 by the then director of the Ephorate G. Steinchauer. The large tholoi tombs and the prehistoric remains on the acropolis of Pellana were uncovered during excavations conducted by the current director of the Ephorate Dr. Th. Spyropoulos, in 1980-1995.
  The Direction of Restoration of Antiquities in the Ministry of Culture has made specific studies for the strengthening and covering of the big tholos tomb but work has not started yet.
  The most important monuments of the site are:
•Cemetery of rock-cut tholos tombs, dated to the Mycenaean period on the site "Spelies". The largest was constructed in the Early Mycenaean period (1500 B.C.); the diameter of its tholos was 10m. It is certainly a royal tomb.
•The acropolis of Pellana on which are preserved remains of walls dated to the Hellenistic period and also ruins dated to the period of Frankish domination.
•The acropolis of Pellana situated on the hill "Palaiokastro" where recent excavations conducted brought into light remains of habitation, dated to the Early Helladic period (perhaps a palatial structure).
  On the first terrace east and after the top of the acropolis was revealed one of probably many more tumuli, dated to the Early Helladic period (2500 B.C.). The tumulus was surrounded by stone crepis. In situ were found burials and dump.
  On the south slope of the hill was revealed part of a settlement which was inhabited in the Mycenaean and Hellenistic periods. A monumental stone paved road of Mycenaean date, which was later repaired, leads from the east foot of the acropolis to the top or to another site on the hill where it is expected to be found an important building, perhaps the Mycenaean palace of the area. The excavator Dr. Th. Spyropoulos suggests that Pellana is the Homeric city Lakedaimon where Menelaos and Helen had their palaces.