Η αρχαιολογική έρευνα στην Πλωτινόπολη Διδυμοτείχου
Part of : Το Αρχαιολογικό Έργο στη Μακεδονία και στη Θράκη ; Vol.15, No.1, 2001, pages 19-31
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19-31
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Excavations at Plotinopolis, Didymoteicho
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Abstract:
On the southeast side of Didymoteicho, between the confluence of the Evros and Eryth- ropotamos rivers and the Railway Station, stands a rocky fortified hill known by the name of Ayia Petra, with an elevation of 55.90 m. The surface survey by Professor Bakalakis on and around the hil confirmed the identification of this site as Plotinopolis. Written sources tell us that Plotinopolis was founded at thebeginning of the 2nd c. AD by the Roman emperor Trajan (98-117 AD) in honour of his wife Ariste Piotine.In 1965, during the construction of entrenchments by the military, a beaten gold bust was found of the Roman emperor Septimius Severus (193-211 AD), which is now in the Archaeological Museum of Komotini. A full excavation was begun in 1977 by the 19th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of Thrace, which brought to light the monumental stone crépis of a Roman edifice constructed of large stone blocks and based on the natural rock. The excavations were continued in the middle of the 1980s, when they unearthed a 2nd c. AD building with two fine mosaic floors depicting, as well as geometric designs, representations of Leda and the swan and the 12 labours of Herakles.In the autumn of 1996, after an interval of twelve and more years,excavations were resumed at Plotinopolis. They were carried out (1996-2000) in the central part of the smooth eastern slope of the hill of Ayia Petra,just facing the river Evros, in the place where the building with the mosaic floors had been discovered in the mid 1980s. From 1996 the areas north (Sector A), west (Sector B), and south (Sector C) of the building with the mosaics were excavated, in order to discover more buildings and to study the stratigraphy.The floor of a Roman building (2nd c. AD) was uncovered and beneath it a conduit. Both sides of the conduit were lined with stone bricks, and the bottom with tiles. It was covered with large stones, on which the floor was laid. Another smaller conduit was excavated at right angles to the central one. The system of conduits may have been connected with a public bath or to the bath of a luxurious home. Various other architectural remains were also found, dating from the 2nd half of the 3rd to the end of the 6th c. AD.The most important find in recent years, however, was an imposing Roman well. It has an inside diameter of 2.20 m and is built of hewn stone blocks. There is an opening at the north side of the well leading to a rectangular vaulted chamber. The well and chamber were connected with the Plotinopolis water supply system. The finds from the excavation included pottery and bronze, bone,clay and stone objects, a considerable number of marble sculptures and many coins. Of special interest are the stamped amphora handles from Ainos, Thasos and Akanthos in Macedonia, testifying to the important commercial trade in the area.Lastly, an undisturbed prehistoric level was found. 35 postholes from a structure of densely packed posts dating to the 5th millennium BC were uncovered. The finds from this prehistoric level included pottery, flint blades, stone axes and grinders.
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Διδυμότειχο
Notes:
Περιέχει εικόνες, σχέδια και κατόψεις
