Ancient treasure discovered in the excavations of Ancient Tenea (photos)

In October 2023, the work of the systematic archaeological survey was completed in Kilimodi of Corinthiawithin the framework of the research program “Ancient Teneas“, under the direction of archaeologist dr. Elena Korkas and implemented by the Department of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture.

The excavation, among other things, revealed for the first time this year, part of Hadrian’s aqueduct in the area of ​​ancient Tenea, now precisely determining the course of one of the largest hydraulic works of the 2nd c. A.D. in the Greek area, which had the purpose of supplying water to Ancient Corinth from Stymphalia.

At the same time, part of it was identified and excavated prehistoric settlement of Tenea, dating to the Early Bronze Age II (2,600 – 2,300 BC), confirming the habitation of the area before the fall of Troy.

In addition, a rich building complex from the late Archaic times to the Hellenistic times was revealed, with individual areas of cult use between them and three extremely well-maintained tanks, one of them with a descending-ascending scale.

Of exceptional archaeological importance and rarity is the hoard of 29 silver ancient Greek coins (fig. 2) found together with a portable clay altar, a miniature vase and a horse and rider figurine.

The treasure includes coins dating from the late 6th century. e.g. up to the decade of 330 BC, many of them among the rarest and most historical coins of ancient Greece.

Among the ancient coins are three staters of Elis minted at Olympia during different Olympic Games, staters of Aegina with a land instead of a sea turtle, staters of Stymphalos, Argos and Opuntia of Lokron, as well as a stater of Thebes from the 5th c. BC depicting Hercules suffocating two snakes with his hands.

The presence of the treasure in question is linked to the finds of cult use (female and animal figurines, miniature vases and others) that were identified last year and continued to be identified this year, giving a clear ritual character to the areas that are revealed.

Two building complexes of Roman and late Roman times were excavated in upper excavation layers. One with an area of ​​160 sq.m. which is a continuation of this 281 sq.m. of 2022, with separate laboratory facilities and storage areas.

Finally, pit tombs from Roman times and a cluster of richly endowed Archaic tombs were excavated in the cemeteries zone and next to the Roman burial monument II of 2022.