279-295

Ancient Stagira 1990-1996

• Σισμανίδης, Κώστας Λ.

Six years of intensive excavation at ancient Stagira have led to the emer­gence of an important archaeological site in NW Chalcidice near the modern village of Olympiada. The small, hilly and attractive promontory on which the birthplace of Aristotle is located has completely changed in appearance after the excavations of recent years. The two wooded hills of which the promontory consisted and the low col that separated them proved to be the faithful guar­ dians of the important architectural remains of the city of Stagira, which exi­ sted from the middle of the seventh century BC to about the middle of the fou­ rth. Almost the entire surface of the city has now been excavated, revealing indicative and characteristic sections of buildings of all kinds and allowing us to say that we are now familiar with the general fabric of the city. The first conclusions to be drawn from the researches are most enlightening for the structure of Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic Stagira. The most important of those conclusions are as follows.The first Andriot colony was on the North Hill of the promontory, the one which protrudes further into the sea. This year we had the good fortune to identify the first fortifications of the Archaic city, lying along and to the south of the line of the Byzantine cross-wall (still visible). A monumental arched building with an outstanding tessellated marble floor was discovered nearby, also this year, while a large Archaic temple has begun to come to light on the summit of the North Hill. An Archaic sanctuary, probably dedicated to Deme­ ter, and a Thesmophorion (Sanctuary of Demeter) dating from the same period had already been discovered at the northernmost extremity of the hill. The Late Classical wall which climbs the same side of the hill can be identified as that built by Philip II after he had first destroyed the city, and a stretch 150 metres long has been unearthed so far.When the population of Stagira grew during the Classical period, the city expanded to the neighbouring South Hill. It was then surrounded by a complete circuit of walls, which included both hills. This wall has survived in excellent condition (especially on the south side), was carefully constructed using various types of masonry and was reinforced at intervals with square or circular towers, internal flights of steps, etc. On the top of the South Hill, excavation of the triangular acropolis of Stagira is now complete, and the city aqueduct has come to light a little further to the west.Houses of the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods have been found at various points throughout the city, thus providing us with enlightening facts about its urban organisation. The Agora of Stagira has been identified on the low col between the two hills. So far a well-preserved Classical stoa has been excavated, together with a stone-paved road, a wine-vat with its base, public storerooms, shops, etc.The supplementary work which has begun to take place in parallel with the excavations includes landscaping, restoration of the fortifications and strengthening of the various structures. The purpose of all these activities is to allow visitors —of whom there are already many— to see a fully-organised ar­chaeological sit

• History and Archaeology

• Αρχαιολογία

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