The buildings, located in the mountains of the southern part of Evia, have not yet revealed all their secrets and archaeological research is trying to solve the mystery of their primary use: a small sanctuary, a quarry shelter, or an outpost?
The dragon houses of Evia, made of square stone blocks without any binding material, structures that in late antiquity were used as shepherds’ huts, seem to have served other functions for more than two millennia.
The monumental size of the building stones and the elaborately constructed, according to the exhortational system, roof made the inhabitants of the area believe that they were built by “dragons”, anthropomorphic giants with supernatural powers.
The buildings, located in the mountains of the southern part of Evia, have not yet revealed all their secrets and archaeological research is trying to solve the mystery of their primary use: a small sanctuary, a quarry shelter, or an outpost?
Among the hills, in the southern part of the island, dominates a stone complex of buildings that stands out for the monumental size of the building stones and their roof construction. It consists of three buildings, measuring 12.40m x 6.20m the north and south, while the eastern one is longer, 6.20m x 5.80m.
The complex at Palli-Laka is one of the seven “dragon houses” preserved on the slopes of the mountains, which researchers are trying to date, to clarify the identity of their builders, but also to reveal the mystery of their use and functions.
A Greek-Swiss team, led by Dr. Angeliki G. Simosi (Ephorate of Antiquities of Evia) and Professor Karl Reber (Swiss Archaeological School in Greece), carried out investigations in the dragon house at Palli-Lakka, south of Styria.
The purpose of the research was to clarify the plan and the construction method, but, above all, to collect ceramic fragments that will lead to more accurate dating. This year, thanks to the findings of the excavation, archaeologists were able to confirm that the Palli-Lakka monument was built in antiquity. Despite the progress made in dating dragon houses, their function is still unclear.
The discovery of a “wall”, approximately 1 m wide, next to the complex offers new evidence in this direction, although its use remains unknown (man?) and belongs to the second construction phase.
To date, in the area of Styron, seven structures have been identified that show the characteristics of dragon houses.
In parallel with the work carried out in Palli-Lakka, the archaeologists began the documentation of the remaining dragon houses at the sites of Lumithel, Kroi-Ftocht, Ilkize and Makkou. Thanks to topographical and photogrammetric impressions, archaeologists now have 3D models of these houses, which greatly facilitates their study. Finally, the work of the Greek-Swiss group also aims to highlight these monuments, which are among the most visited in the region, providing information to Greek and foreign visitors.
The archaeologists of the Swiss School of Archaeology, Chloé Chezeaux, Jérôme André, Nina Nicole and Tristan Allegro, participated in the research team, while on the part of EFA Evia, the on-site scientific responsibility rests with department head Fani Stavroulakis.
SOURCE: UP STORIES
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