Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Findings from the Excavation Survey at the Bank of Aigio – Ancient Dirt

At the beginning of October, the period of this year’s systematic excavation research on its plateau was completed Bankeight kilometers southwest of it Aegius. This position is identical to the Pollutantsa city of Achaia that flourished during early historical times and participated in the colonization by founding the Ticks in great Greece.

This year’s excavation focused mainly on the investigation of building C southeast of the temple tower which belonged to the public sphere of the city’s functions. The building was covered by the ruins of its superstructure consisting of limestone and cobble stone plinths. After their mapping, numbering and removal, the platform of the main, southern long side with the 16.80 m long pilaster was fully revealed. The H- and Z-shaped joints in the platform and the elements of the superstructure, suggest a dating before 300 BC.

Corinthian semi-columns are being restored on this facade. Above them ran an unstructured cornice with an architrave band that had a profile of a Doric beak. The diameter of the semi-columns and the total height of the column, results in a Corinthian column with the lowest proportions ever. The sigmoid profile bases of the semi-columns are of the Peloponnesian type, like those found in the temple of Apollo in Vasse. The excavation data so far reconstructs a three-meter monumental face. The postion spaces between the composite columns were covered by upright plates-shields. The Corinthian capital has a tiny, slow, wave below the acorns, as well as 20 stylized thorn-leaves on the semi-circumference of the basket, which allows for all sorts of comparisons with early examples, such as that on the Corinthian column in the temple of Apollo of the Basses.

In addition, it is the earliest complete Corinthian composition we know inside a monument, while for the first time it is directly linked to a funerary use, just as it is handed down in the anecdotal report of Vitruvius. The plinths of the ruin also include architectural elements that do not come from the Corinthian building. These are mainly members of a single Ionic entablature with an architrave and a combination of frieze and dentils, fragments of stone gable columns and an Ionic capital connected with semi-columns attached to composite stone plinths. They come from a building that will be searched very close to the monument under investigation.

The investigation of building C so far testifies to its recognition as the Hero of the ancient city. Beneath the rubble that covered its facade were found fallen from their original position, a marble lion in crouching posture, smaller than life size with its plinth, a second larger lion with part of its plinth also in crouching position with anatomical details and mane in soft relief, head of a smaller marble lion with its mane and upper part of a large marble tombstone of a young male figure. All the sculptures are carved in Pentelian marble. The lions were inset on separate stone bases.

Inside the monument and in a later phase of its use, uncovered burials were found and investigated in box-shaped tombs and in a sarcophagus, which yielded valuable gifts of particular artistic value. Among other things, pair of gold earrings with lions’ heads on top, a solid earring of naked winged Eros with a scepter in his right hand and a wreath in his left hand, a gold necklace ending in solid busts of lions, a gold ring, a gold danak, a charoneum obolo, with turtle on obverse, two iron knobs surrounded by fabric and iron rod. The grave goods inside the building bear witness to the wealth and high social status of their occupants.

A small research section below and outside the face of the monument yielded architectural remains and pottery of the 8th c. B.C.
Hero’s research will continue following the approval of the new five-year excavation program.

Dr. Andreas G. directs the systematic excavation at the Aegian Bank-ancient Rypes. Board of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia.

The research is funded by the Foundation A. C. Leventis. Supported by Olympia Odos SA.