An ancient settlement of historical times exists below the city of Drama. Although this claim has not yet been verified with architectural remains, from the excavation work carried out in the city for various reasons, findings emerge that are very important, because they provide evidence for an unknown period of the city.

Some corresponding recent evidence was presented by the archaeologist Konstantina Amoiridou at the 36th annual Archaeological Meeting for the Archaeological Project in Macedonia and Thrace, which is being held in Thessaloniki.

“During this period, works are being carried out for the restoration and promotion of the Holy Church of Agia Sophia of Drama, a church located in the center of Drama and dating from the 10th century. Excavation work began in 2020 in the surrounding area of ​​the temple, in the context of a project that is included in the NSRF 2014 – 2020 and is carried out independently by the Antiquities Authority of Drama”, explained Ms. Amoridou to the Athenian/Macedonian News Agency.

“Until now, we have found an extensive cemetery of the population that lived inside the castle of Drama, with 159 burials of various types from Byzantine times,” the archaeologist emphasized, saying that the results of the specific excavation research concerning the Byzantine part, that is, the cemetery and the architectural elements of the temple, will be announced when the excavation work is completed.

The announcement at the Thessaloniki Conference was about the pre-Christian findings of the excavation, that is, everything that has emerged and belongs to the times before Christ, the Hellenistic and Roman years. These finds are sherds, i.e. pieces of pottery, which date from the Hellenistic period, a part of a clay figurine of a male figure, a magical stone of binding magic, a part of a marble votive column and a fragment of a Roman-era inscribed plaque from a tombstone or sarcophagus.

“It is a set that confirms what we already knew before, that in the center of Drama and below the city, there was an ancient settlement of historical times. This has so far not been confirmed by excavations and we do not know exactly where. However, wherever we dig, there are findings from pre-Christian times”, stressed Mrs. Amoiridou.

After all, excavations carried out from time to time by the competent Ephorates of Antiquities, brought to light a set of marble or stone statues and busts.