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From the archaelogical investigations in ancient Eordaia : the excavation at Filotas, Florina prefecture

• Ζιώτα, Χριστίνα
• Μοσχάκης, Κώστας

In view of the planned construction of the new Florina-Ptolemaida road, anextensive rescue excavation was carried out in a recently located settlement ofancient Eordaia, at Ambelia-Ornithones, 1.5 km south-east of Filotas, Fiorinaprefecture. A total area of about two hectares was explored, and it was ascertainedthat the site was in use from prehistoric times to the Byzantine period.Evidence of the earliest habitation in the area was uncovered in a depression inthe natural ground, which may have been used as a residential space. The movablefinds from the interior date to the Early and Middle Neolithic. The Early Iron Age isrepresented by large quantities of pottery, which were found in pit deposits. Threeclay-built ovens may also belong to the prehistoric habitation phase.An agricultural and light industrial settlement developed on the site in thehistorical period. We uncovered remains of a house and the lower part of a largeenclosure, which marked off the property and the activities that took place aroundthe dwelling. Six large storage jars were found in one of the rooms. The pottery ischiefly everyday domestic ware of the Hellenistic and Roman periods.Pit deposits investigated near the house yielded intact vessels (including kraterswith relief decoration and West Slope decoration, plates, and small skyphoi) andfigurines.The existence of workshops in this general area is attested by the discovery ofpottery kilns. We excavated a kiln of the Hellenistic period with an ellipsoidalfiring chamber and an oblong pier to support the grate. Of another kiln, of theEarly Roman period, part of the dromos leading to the entrance survives, togetherwith the firing chamber and the grate. There are two more kilns, but since they areoutside the bounds of the expropriated land they were not investigated.Lastly, an extensive Middle Byzantine cemetery was located, and 177 pitgravesand two cist-graves were investigated. They contained bronze and ironjewellery, finger-rings, bracelets, and earrings, many of them with incised androulette decoration.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)

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