Δερβένι : μια νεκρόπολη της αρχαίας Λήτης

Part of : Το Αρχαιολογικό Έργο στη Μακεδονία και στη Θράκη ; Vol.10, No.Α, 1996, pages 461-476

Issue:
Pages:
461-476
Parallel Title:
Derveni : a necropolis of ancient Lete
Author:
Abstract:
Derveni (a Turkish place-name meaning a narrow pass) is located appro­ ximately 12 km. along the main road from Thessaloniki to Kavala. A cemetery of the Hellenistic period, connected by archaeological research with the an­ cient city of Lete, has been found nearby.The development of this cemetery has been included in the programme of works being implemented by the XVI Ephorate of Antiquities on the occasion of Thessaloniki’s year as Cultural Capital of Europe for 1997. The project has the objectives of restoring, documenting and developing the funerary monu­ ments discovered here and of setting up a model archaeological park, in which all the types of funerary architecture will be represented, at the entrance to the city.Intervention in the side began with the Macedonian tomb discovered by T. Macridy in 1910. Constructed with building materials of poor quality, this tomb was in imminent danger of collapse. The earth which had accumulated was cleared away, the monument was shored up, and a large part of its dromos (the access route into its interior) was excavated. Similar work was also done on Macedonian tomb Γ, which was discovered a short way to the east during the dig of 1962.Current archaeological investigation focuses primarily on the area in which, in 1962, the famous unrobbed cist tombs were found when the main Kavala road was being constructed. At that time, a building of unknown purpose was also found in the area. It was soon identified as a twin-chamber Macedonian tomb with dimensions of 7.02x5.01 metres, built in limestone. The tomb had been robbed in antiquity and its stone was later quarry, resulting in the absence of its upper structure and significant parts of its walls. The unique feature of the monument is the parapet, consisting of successive courses of limestone blocks, which rises in front of its facade.A built cist tomb measuring 2.02x1.13 metres was discovered inside the dromos leading into the interior of the Macedonian tomb. It, too, had been rob­ bed. The lower part of its interior was faced with coloured plaster, while the upper ornamental bands were ornamented with garlands and depictions of items connected with female elegance and clothing.Both these monuments date from the last quarter of the fourth or the beginning of the third century BC and lie within the boundaries of the grave tumulus identified on the site.
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Subject (LC):
Keywords:
νεκροταφεία, συνέδρια
Notes:
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