Το αρχαιολογικό έργο στην Πέλλα, 1987-2007
Part of : Το Αρχαιολογικό Έργο στη Μακεδονία και στη Θράκη ; 2009, pages 169-184
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169-184
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Archaeological work at Pella, 1987-2007
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Excavations at Pella over the two decades 1987- 2007, chiefly of a rescue and trial nature, were conducted upon discovery of antiquities during digging in fields and building-lots, in the wake of illicit excavation activities, or within the framework of conservation and enhancement works on the archaeological site.The main areas of investigation included the palace, the Agora, complexes in the area of the modern- day irrigation canal, public buildings, production and workshop areas, the residential sector, fortifications, and the city’s cemeteries.Continuous habitation of the region occupied at the end of the 5th century B.C. by the Macedonian capital has been confirmed from the Late Neolithic to the 4th century A.D. Late Neolithic and Iron Age pottery at the area of Fakos, graves from the Early Bronze Age, Iron Age, Archaic age and Classical period in the southern part of the city (the region around the new entrance to the archaeological site) fill in the gaps in our knowledge to date concerning the years preceding the establishment of the Macedonian capital at Pella. On the other hand, the discovery of residential remains in the area of the new Pella by-pass, dating to a long period extending down to the 4th century A.D., confirm that the southern part of the city, which was near the shoreline, continued to be inhabited after the destruction and abandonment of the city following an earthquake in the early 1st century B.C. The most important building investigated in this region is a bath with a hypocaust system, forming part of a larger complex incorporated into the city plan.The oldest residential remains of Pella as capital of Macedonia were found in the area of the sanctuary of Darron, a local healing god whose worship was first confirmed epigraphically in 1991. Four building blocks in this area, surrounded by monumental roads wider than normal, paved and framed by colonnades (stoas), served the public buildings located here.In one of these was discovered the two-roomed structure of worship of Darron; another, circular building with smaller round structures at its perimeter has been identified with hero-worship of the healing god, and a third has been interpreted as a restaurant Important evidence has emerged concerning the city’s production and commercial activities from excavations in the Agora, as well as of workshops that have been excavated in other building blocks in the city and the area of Fakos. The higher living standard of Pella’s inhabitants is confirmed by investigation of new houses and public buildings. A public bath discovered in the area of the new entrance to the archaeological site was in use from the last quarter of the 4th century until the beginning of the 1st century B.C. This is the oldest known organized bath in Northern Greece, and one of the oldest in Greece, its underfloor heating still in experimental application, with a heating pipe below the floor instead of the well known hypocausts and pillars. Investigation of the palace yielded important information concerning the complex’s form and function. The most important included the existence of a palaistra, baths, and portions of the city’s fortifications passing to the north of the complex complete with gates and towers. In addition, the location of the western and probably of the eastern wall of the city was identified, and a fortification surrounding wall was also found on the ancient islet of Fakos, thus confirming written testimony about its being fortified.New evidence coming from the same area concerns cults in Pella. Worship of Hermes Agoraios has been epigraphically confirmed, as well as the existence of the class of Roman “businessmen” who spoke Greek, honored the gods of the Greek pantheon, and had Greek names.Finally, important research was carried out in the city’s cemeteries: that of the late 5th - first half of the 4th century B.C. (Agora area), the eastern and western Hellenistic cemeteries, and the Macedonian tombs. Of particular interest was the discovery of a cist grave of the “philosophers,” its decoration unique for a funerary monument, as well as of a rock-cut tomb with eight chambers, which reflects contact between Pella and the regions of the Hellenistic kingdoms, particularly Egypt.The 17th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities’ efforts to conserve and enhance the archaeological site of Pella and to exhibit excavation finds in a new museum proved successful during the 1990s and initial years of the 21st century. The plan for the overall enhancement of Pella and the surrounding area’s archaeological sites-monuments was prepared between 1995 and 2000. The work of conservation-enhancement of the archaeological site of Pella and its surrounding area, included in the Third Community Support Framework, has been carried out since 2002 by the Finance ManagementFund for Archaeological Projects. Construction of the new museum, which began in April 2006 on the slopes of the palace hill, has also been incorporated in the Third Community Support Framework. Our goal is to complete both these works (conservation-enhancement of the site, operation of the museum) by 2009.
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Πέλλα
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