DOI Artikel:
Waldstein, Charles; Washington, Henry Stephens; Hunt, W. Irving: Discoveries at Plataia in 1890
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8678#0273
256
DISCOVERIES AT PLATAIA.
test, may possibly refer to the games called Eleutheria which were
celebrated outside the city-walls (cf. Pausanias, ix. 2. 4). It may be
desirable to make one more attempt, next season, upon this site, and
to search again for the Temple of Hera inside the city-walls, at the
church where last year we found the Edict of Diocletian. It is true
that we' came upon the native rock in digging in this church, but it may
be desirable to continue trenches around the church, cutting them to
the rock throughout. When this has been done, these explorative
excavations may be considered as completed.
What seems to stand in the way of important discoveries of temples
and sculptures at Plataia, is the fact of its evident importance in
Byzantine and Frankish times. Our exploration has certainly taught
an historical fact which seems to have been previously overlooked :
for it is generally supposed that, after the classical period, Plataia
sank into insignificance and oblivion. Our excavations, together with
the existence of the numerous Byzantine and Frankish churches (there
are over twelve scattered about the site), certainly prove that, in By-
zantine and Frankish times, this must have been a densely-populated
and important city. The people were probably attracted thither by
the situation, which commands the Boiotian Plain; possibly, too,
its walls may have remained standing. It appears to me also that
Plataia must have been a centre of considerable importance in
Roman times.
Charles Waldstein.
American School of Classical Studies, Athens.
April, 1890.
DETAILED REPORT ON THE EXCAVATIONS.
Work was begun Feb. 19 with 22 men at Church No. I (see
map), where two days were spent in partially clearing out the church
and sinking a trench, running north, about 40 m. long. The paving-
stones of the church (about 70 X 60 cm., and 20 cm. thick), of good
white marble, were examined on the under side, but no sculptured
work was found on them—they probably formed the pavement of
a temple. Two late walls built with small stones laid in mortar were
crossed by the trench, and at its northern end a low arch of brick-
work, probably Byzantine, was laid bare. The trench was sunk to a
depth (in places) of 2.70 m., but, with the exception of a fragment of
DISCOVERIES AT PLATAIA.
test, may possibly refer to the games called Eleutheria which were
celebrated outside the city-walls (cf. Pausanias, ix. 2. 4). It may be
desirable to make one more attempt, next season, upon this site, and
to search again for the Temple of Hera inside the city-walls, at the
church where last year we found the Edict of Diocletian. It is true
that we' came upon the native rock in digging in this church, but it may
be desirable to continue trenches around the church, cutting them to
the rock throughout. When this has been done, these explorative
excavations may be considered as completed.
What seems to stand in the way of important discoveries of temples
and sculptures at Plataia, is the fact of its evident importance in
Byzantine and Frankish times. Our exploration has certainly taught
an historical fact which seems to have been previously overlooked :
for it is generally supposed that, after the classical period, Plataia
sank into insignificance and oblivion. Our excavations, together with
the existence of the numerous Byzantine and Frankish churches (there
are over twelve scattered about the site), certainly prove that, in By-
zantine and Frankish times, this must have been a densely-populated
and important city. The people were probably attracted thither by
the situation, which commands the Boiotian Plain; possibly, too,
its walls may have remained standing. It appears to me also that
Plataia must have been a centre of considerable importance in
Roman times.
Charles Waldstein.
American School of Classical Studies, Athens.
April, 1890.
DETAILED REPORT ON THE EXCAVATIONS.
Work was begun Feb. 19 with 22 men at Church No. I (see
map), where two days were spent in partially clearing out the church
and sinking a trench, running north, about 40 m. long. The paving-
stones of the church (about 70 X 60 cm., and 20 cm. thick), of good
white marble, were examined on the under side, but no sculptured
work was found on them—they probably formed the pavement of
a temple. Two late walls built with small stones laid in mortar were
crossed by the trench, and at its northern end a low arch of brick-
work, probably Byzantine, was laid bare. The trench was sunk to a
depth (in places) of 2.70 m., but, with the exception of a fragment of