443-450

Excavation at Methone 2003

• Μπέσιος, Ματθαίος

The site of ancient Methone, colonised from Eretria, was located as early as the 1970s north of the modem village of Nea Agathoupoli. It was built on two adjacent hills and on the flat land north of the village, which extended as far as the sea in the ancient period. The east hill is low and slopes gradually, while the west hill is considerably higher and steeper. The configuration of the east side of the low hill bears clear traces of erosion caused by the action of the sea, which at one time reached this far. The considerable alluvial deposits laid down by the Axios, the Loudias, and, especially in this case, the Haliakmon drastically changed the landscape in antiquity.In 2003 excavation began on plot 274 of the farm on the east hill of the ancient settlement. Considerable erosion was observed at the top of the hill; however, evidence was found of continuous habitation from the Late Neolithic to the Archaic period. Most notable is a large pit 3.50 m square, which served an as yet unidentified purpose, as it is still being investigated. On the west slope, the deep fill created by the erosion of the top of the hill has effectively protected the successive construction phases. Trial trenches are still being dug, but already an embankment of the Early Iron Age has been located, as also monumental walls of the Archaic period, which survive in very good condition.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

Πιερία, συνέδρια