After several decades archaeological excavations have started again at Palaiopolis
archaeology
21 Aug 2018
/ 08:31
CORFU. After several decades archaeological excavations started again on Monday morning in the heart of Palaiopolis (Mon Repos).
The dig is headed by the honorary Antiquities Inspector Dr. Garyfalia Metallinou (photo) former head of Corfu Antiquities Inspectorate.
It is basically a continuation of the Heraion excavation in order to completely uncover the buildings that had come to light and to get a clear picture of the layout and the functionality of the buildings. Another area next to the Heraion is also being explored at which has never previously been excavated - at the moment the thick vegetation is being cleared.
The excavation was proposed by Dr. Metallinou and approved by the Central Archaeological Committee at the Ministry of Culture. Corfu Antiquities Inspectorate will be responsible for the work. Eight people and an archaeologist have already been recruited and according to needs, architects and conservators will also be recruited in the future. The excavation will last for approximately one month and is being funded by the Leventis Foundation.
Leventis Foundation
The internationally renowned Leventis Foundation has been aiding cultural, educational, cultural heritage, biodiversity and vulnerable group support projects for over 30 years.
It undertakes projects related to the protection of cultural heritage, museum exhibitions and libraries, student scholarships at all levels, philanthropic works, medical research and environmental protection.
It is basically a continuation of the Heraion excavation in order to completely uncover the buildings that had come to light and to get a clear picture of the layout and the functionality of the buildings. Another area next to the Heraion is also being explored at which has never previously been excavated - at the moment the thick vegetation is being cleared.
The excavation was proposed by Dr. Metallinou and approved by the Central Archaeological Committee at the Ministry of Culture. Corfu Antiquities Inspectorate will be responsible for the work. Eight people and an archaeologist have already been recruited and according to needs, architects and conservators will also be recruited in the future. The excavation will last for approximately one month and is being funded by the Leventis Foundation.
Leventis Foundation
The internationally renowned Leventis Foundation has been aiding cultural, educational, cultural heritage, biodiversity and vulnerable group support projects for over 30 years.
It undertakes projects related to the protection of cultural heritage, museum exhibitions and libraries, student scholarships at all levels, philanthropic works, medical research and environmental protection.
Heraion
The Heraion is one of the best-known discoveries in the Mon Repos estate - the remains of an important temple in the ancient city. There is evidence of worship at the site beginning at the end of the 7th century BC, at which time a large Doric temple was built at the top of the hill which has been attributed to 'Akraia' Hera ('Akraia' referring to the tip of the peninsula).
Very little has remained from this ancient edifice - there are exceptionally crafted roof tiles which can be seen in the Palaiopolis Museum (Mon Repos) and in Corfu Archaeological Museum (which has been closed for renovation the last few years).
