DOI Artikel:
Rolfe, John Carew; Tarbell, Frank B.: Discoveries at Thisbe in 1889
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8678#0241
DISCOVERIES AT THISBE IN 1889.
REPORT ON EXCAVATIONS.
Between March 18 and 21, I made a trip to Kakosia, the work of
laying bare the foundations by the sea, at Anthedon, being meanwhile
superintended by Mr. Buck. The village of Kakosia lies between two
peaks of Mt. Helikon, not far from the sea. On the hills which
immediately surround it, and in the village itself, are well-preserved
remains of the wralls of an ancient town, built of regular blocks of
bluish limestone and strengthened by numerous towers. The walls
are of Leake's " fourth order," consisting of a double line of well-cut,
regular blocks, the interval between them being filled in with loose
stones. In the village are clear traces of one of the gates, and just
outside it, in a wheat field, traces of the foundations of a large build-
ing. There are also the remains of a mole (now serving as a road)
across a marshy plain to the southward, evidently to protect the plain
from inundation. It seems to be certain that this village stands directly
on the site of ancient Thisbe, as was concluded by Leake and others
(from Strabo, Geog., 411,and Pausanias, ix. 32. 3). The only building
which Pausanias mentions in Thisbe is a temple of Herakles, with a
standing statue of the god. Judging from the great number of churches
(twenty-three in all, I was told), Thisbe must have been an important
place in Byzantine times. Since the modern village stands directly
on the ancient site, extensive excavations must involve considerable
expense. I found, however, a great number of Byzantine churches
in ruins, and I judged that a few days of wTork in and around these
might yield good results. I returned to Anthedon, finished the exca-
vations by the harbor and cleared off the walls, and on March 27
began work at Thisbe with fifteen men, a number which was after-
ward increased to twenty. Trenches were first dug in and around the
church "Oaio<; Aovicas, within the limits of Kakosia, but just outside
the ancient walls. In front of the church we found a Byzantine
pillar of fine white marble, apparently for supporting a screen or cur-
tain. It is ornamented in front with a conventional design in relief,
and has a smooth, pear-shaped top, separated from the main shaft by
224
REPORT ON EXCAVATIONS.
Between March 18 and 21, I made a trip to Kakosia, the work of
laying bare the foundations by the sea, at Anthedon, being meanwhile
superintended by Mr. Buck. The village of Kakosia lies between two
peaks of Mt. Helikon, not far from the sea. On the hills which
immediately surround it, and in the village itself, are well-preserved
remains of the wralls of an ancient town, built of regular blocks of
bluish limestone and strengthened by numerous towers. The walls
are of Leake's " fourth order," consisting of a double line of well-cut,
regular blocks, the interval between them being filled in with loose
stones. In the village are clear traces of one of the gates, and just
outside it, in a wheat field, traces of the foundations of a large build-
ing. There are also the remains of a mole (now serving as a road)
across a marshy plain to the southward, evidently to protect the plain
from inundation. It seems to be certain that this village stands directly
on the site of ancient Thisbe, as was concluded by Leake and others
(from Strabo, Geog., 411,and Pausanias, ix. 32. 3). The only building
which Pausanias mentions in Thisbe is a temple of Herakles, with a
standing statue of the god. Judging from the great number of churches
(twenty-three in all, I was told), Thisbe must have been an important
place in Byzantine times. Since the modern village stands directly
on the ancient site, extensive excavations must involve considerable
expense. I found, however, a great number of Byzantine churches
in ruins, and I judged that a few days of wTork in and around these
might yield good results. I returned to Anthedon, finished the exca-
vations by the harbor and cleared off the walls, and on March 27
began work at Thisbe with fifteen men, a number which was after-
ward increased to twenty. Trenches were first dug in and around the
church "Oaio<; Aovicas, within the limits of Kakosia, but just outside
the ancient walls. In front of the church we found a Byzantine
pillar of fine white marble, apparently for supporting a screen or cur-
tain. It is ornamented in front with a conventional design in relief,
and has a smooth, pear-shaped top, separated from the main shaft by
224