The works of this year’s systematic archaeological research in Chiliomodi, Corinth, were focused on the bath areas, within the research program “Ancient Tenea”, under the direction of archaeologist Dr. Elenas Korka and with the implementation body the Directorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture and Sports. According to a relevant announcement of the Ministry of Culture, the findings of the program document the organized housing in the area of ​​Tenea from the 3rd millennium BC. The quality, as well as the quantity of the findings indicate the existence of a well-organized settlement during this period, placing Tenea on the map of the early Helladic settlements of the northeastern Peloponnese for the first time. The purpose of this year ‘s research was to complete the excavation of the individual areas of the Roman bath, excavated in 2019 and 2020, and on the other hand to investigate the possible expansion of the commercial activity areas that were identified for the first time in 2020.
More specifically, according to the announcement of the Ministry of Culture, behind the arch of the western caldarium, the Vespasian baths were revealed. An elevated floor made of clay slabs and masonry pipes lined with clay slabs and tiles were used, which served to drain the sewage. Eight coins were found in the area, one of which dates to the end of the 2nd c. A.D. with the beginning of the 3rd c. A.D. and the rest at the end of the 4th c. A.D. with the beginning of the 5th c. AD, as well as finds from Roman times, such as a bronze ring, a stone fork, lamps and a marble colonnade.
Then, north of the warm rooms, the third praefurnium of the baths and the spaces that served in the storage of wood materials for its operation were excavated. Among these finds, among other finds from Roman times, were found collapsed architectural members of the Archaic period, a ruler cover and a painted simi with a plinth-shaped decoration, elements that probably come from a building of the same chronological period, which is probably located in monument and of which important architectural members have been identified in previous excavation periods.
As the same announcement informs, with the completion of the excavation works in the above sections, the excavation of the main body of the bath was completed. In the monument of a total area of ​​about 800 sq.m. includes three warm rooms (caldaria) with arched ends, which have small pools (alvei) inside, underfloor and wall heating and three praefurnia, two cold and lukewarm bath rooms, one of which is the piscina frigida, locker rooms and foot washing machines, Vespasian, three-way water filtration tank, rainwater collection tank, water tower and fuel storage areas. The public baths of Tenea seem to have been founded shortly before the middle of the 2nd c. A.D. and then followed two new construction phases, one in the 4th c. A.D. and one in the 5th c. AD, during which interventions, repairs and extensions were carried out.
To the east of the bath, the exploration of the commercial areas continued with the opening of new sections. They were found to extend both north and south, creating building islands bordered by roads and lanes. Specifically, six new rooms were located in a row, on the SW-NE axis, which seem to have provided housing, measuring an average of 7m. times 5μ. with partitions and door openings. The excavation of the above areas helped significantly in the mapping of the urban fabric of the city, which is constantly being formed with greater clarity. Inside – the same announcement continues – were found objects of commercial activity (pottery of the Roman period of useful vessels, glass and ceramic cosmetology vessels, pins, lamps, etc.), product storage pits and 179 coins dating from the end of the 2nd c. A.D. until the middle of the 6th c. A.D. The continuation of the excavation in the room, where the treasure of 30 gold coins of the emperors Markianos, Justin I and Justinian were found in 2020, yielded more than 120 new coins, bringing the total number of coins to 202, which indicates the intense economic activity that took place in that area. In the same room, at a lower depth, an earlier building of the late Hellenistic period was unveiled, with a NW direction. The building seems to be extending beyond the boundaries of the excavated area and will be further investigated in the next excavation period. In addition, two new buildings were excavated further north and further south of the above commercial areas, similar in typology and in the same axis, indicating the expansion of the city in both directions. In the findings of the specific places, a carnelian seal stone stands out where a bust of a young man is depicted.
Finally, north of the bath, three wells of lime kilns were discovered with their feed outlets. Piles of sandstone wedges were found inside and outside them. The ceramics in the kiln layer date mainly to Roman times, but this does not allow us to clearly determine the exact date of the constructions due to excavations. Among other things, an entire conical wine cellar of the end of the 7th century was found. e.g. and a part of a clay figurine of an upright female figure of classical times. The combustion layer that is located in the area of ​​the lime kilns, extends north of them with dimensions of 1.20m. times 1.13μ. and thickness 0.30m.
Prehistoric depositor
The most important discovery of this year’s excavation period, which adds new data regarding the habitation in the area of ​​Tenea, is the excavation of a built prehistoric (Early Bronze Age) deposit. It was located north of the bath complex at a distance of 45m. and at a depth of about 2m. from the ground surface. It was covered with a layer of crushed stones and piles of ceramics about 2m thick. The inner walls of this construction consist of a uniform and very elaborate construction of large clay stones and in the upper part there are superimposed levels of a spiral shape, which probably served the descent and the ascent inside. The shape of the depositor is elliptical with dimensions of axes 3.30 m. times 3,10m. and its depth under the coating layer reaches 6.80m. The depositor gradually narrows to its end, reaching the final dimensions of axles 0.60m. times 0.45m. and internal height 4.80m. The findings from the coating layer and the inside of the depositor are particularly important. Among them are figurines of rams, storage bases of pottery with mat imprint and a base with leaf imprint, parts of clay hearths with engraved decoration, parts possibly from portable clay offer tables with spiral and engraved decoration, legs of tripod vessels, braces, braces, open vessels, bottles with black and red coating, bottles with legs and bottles with annular or flat base, button-shaped handles of pits, as well as tubes of large open vessels. Handles with impact and engraved decoration and parts of pits with embossed rope decoration. In addition, sections of cubes (saucers), artichokes, boards and a section of stone utensils came to light. It is also important to locate a large amount of flywheels, as well as obsidian kernels, blades and scales, as well as ground tools.
The program, under the direction of Dr. E. Korka, is supported by an interdisciplinary team of archaeologists with P. Evangeloglou in charge, archaeologist of EFA Corinth, numismatists with Dr. K. Lagos, anthropologist with the associate professor of DUTH in charge. Chr. Papageorgopoulou, surveyor with the professor of agronomy and surveying engineer of NTUA in charge. A. Georgopoulos and geologists with a responsible professor at AUTh. Gr. Tsoka. In the context of the above collaborations, modern methods of photogrammetric imaging, three-dimensional imaging of spaces, objects, and anthropological material were applied, as well as geophysical surveys. For another year, students from University Institutions of Greece participated with the heads of departments archaeologists P. Vlachos, M. Ioannou, P. Panailidis, M. Syrrou, I. Christidis, K. Psycha, the architects D. Bartziou, and A. Antoni. , the surveyors A. Anastasiou, E. Koutro, E. Syrokou, and the conservator V. Paparidou.
The excavation team thanks the Peloponnese Region, the Municipality of Corinth, the company Chr. Tsaousi and MYTILINEOS thanks to whom the research is carried out. Also, the association “Friends of Ancient Tenea” and the residents of Chiliomodi, who support the project, as well as Takis, Tagaras, Bitziou, Hasikidis, Giannopoulos and Mezini, who donated their plots to conduct the research, and the and Maria Manousaki, Thomas Athanasako and Panagiota Vourvopoulou for the hospitality of department heads and research associates. The team also thanks the DIPKA and EFA of Corinth as well as the Directorate for the Preservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments, the EFA of Athens and the Numismatic Museum for their support.
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