435-442

Archaeological investigations at the Castle of Limenaria, Thassos

• Παπαδόπουλος, Στρατής
• Παπαλαζάρου, Βασιλεία
• Τσουτσουμπέη-Λιόλιου, Σοφία

In July 2007, on a large plain northeast of the Castle of Limenaria, we identified constructions connected with viticulture. Small-scale excavations were carried out on four winepresses, but the best preserved were I and IV. The first was nearly square, with interior dimensions of 1.70x1.80 m., and vertical monolithic slabs along its sides, waterproofed with a yellow- white plaster. Natural stone was employed as flooring, hewn out and also covered with a thick layer of plaster. The hypolenio (collection vat) was found south of the press, and was slightly larger. It may have been a later addition that included the press. It would have been at this time that the “orthostates” on the eastern side were added to provide additional support to the walls. In the hypolenio (collection vat) was found the trench for collecting of the must, hewn into the rock. A few undecorated glazed sherds of the Post-Byzantine period were also found.Winepress IV was found in a vineyard with a total area of about 2.50 stremmata (~ .625 acres) in area. Its dimensions were 1.30x2.50 m., and it is incorporated into a much larger hypolenio, surrounding its northern and western sides in a Γ-shape. The thickness of its walls exceeds 0.80 m. at quite a number of points; the height of the walls is 1.20 m. South of the building was another area, probably a yard. Outside the press’s north wall was found the trench for collecting the must, built with delicate stones covered with an off- white plaster, and with a depth of 0.90 m.In all, six winepresses were found in the area. In addition, we investigated a circular, one-room building, within which a 12th century A.D. bronze coin was found. The style of the winepresses is not enlightening for the period when they were built and in use. However, their size and the distances between them may shed light on the process of viticulture and must production. It would seem that each press belonged to a specific vineyard and owner, but served the needs of owners of other vineyards who did not have their own press.

• History and Archaeology

• Αρχαιολογία

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