207-217

The excavations in Kolchida, Klkis

• Κίσσας, Σωτήρης

This paper makes a brief presentation of the excavations at Zoödochos Piyi in the village of Kolchida in the prefecture of Kilkis. The archaeological site is by the River Gallikos, and the paper discusses the excavation of several early Christian tombs of various types. Five periods have been discerned in the complex. The first period is represented by a single-cell church with a narthex (ΑΒΓΔ onthe plan). Two vaulted tombs occupy the north side of the church and narthex. There followed the surrounding walls and the addition of an atrium and apropylon to the existing structure (ΒΕΖΗΘΙΓΒ on the plan). Part of the atrium is taken up by an underground cistern (δ).In the middle of the 6th century, the single-cell church was turned into a three aisled basilica by the addition of the areas marked ΚΛΜΝΞΟΔΓΙΖΕΚ and ΚΠΡΣΑΒΕΚ. The outer walls of the old church became stylobates and a three-sided synthronon was constructed in the apse. The area marked ΤΤΦΧΨΒΩΤ was created to the south of the church, though the purpose it served is as yet unclear. The entrance to the basilica was moved to the south side. At the end of the 6th century, the complex was extended southwards by the creation of several new areas (baptistery, wine-press, store-rooms) surrounded by a strong enceinte. The discovery in one of the store-rooms of twenty-six bronze coins from the end of Heraclius’s reign indicates that the complex was destroyed in the later half of the 7th century. In the second half of the 9th century, a small church was built in what had been the nave of the early Christian basilica. In the top layer of frescoes fragments of a high artistic standard have been found, dating from the end of the 12th century. It is believed that the site may be connected with the Roman station of Gallicum or Callicum, which developed into a small settlement and became the seat of a bishop in the 7th century

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

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