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Modern Description: The open-air sandstone quarries of Plytra lay on a hilly part of the E coast of Xylis Bay in the Gulf of Laconia. In all, three quarry sites totalling 350 m in length were discovered. On site 1 the largest quarry site is formed by chamber II, 5.50 m wide, 4 m deep and around 3 m high, with sloping sides owing to the stepped extraction of the stone. The footprints of extracted blocks are preserved as well as many quarrying tool-marks. The upper surface of the hill above chamber II has also been quarried, and much carving is discernible there. The most impressive find is a relief of Heracles (fig. 17.5) within a shallow four-sided niche 0.75 high x 0.42 m wide, found 1.90 m above the present floor of chamber II, that is, in the most prominent location. The hero is depicted in a frontal pose and nude, with a lion's skin over his left shoulder covering his left arm completely. A club in his right hand rests vertically on the floor. Unfortunately, the surface of the relief is seriously eroded and the head together with the face of the figure is very battered. The body is muscular and stands firmly on both feet. Kokkourou-Alevras et al. 2009

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(JBK)

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