Elina (Thesprotia) 3 Dymokastro (Elimokastro) - Ελινία

Ἐλινία - Elina, Classical to Roman settlement, Dymokastro, formerly Elimokastro? in Thesprotia Epirus
Hits: 3
Works: 1
Latitude: 39.330000
Longitude: 20.294000
Confidence: High

Greek name: Ἐλινία
Place ID: 393203UEli
Time period: CHR
Region: Epirus
Country: Greece
Department: Thesprotia
Mod: Dymokastro (Elimokastro)

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Search for inscriptions mentioning Elina (Ελιν...) in the PHI Epigraphy database.

Modern Description: The archaeological site of Dymokastro, situated on a hill south of the Karavostasi bay of Perdika in Thesprotia. This fortified coastal settlement, which has been identified by N. Hammond and S. Dakaris with ancient Elina, mentioned in a lead inscription from Dodona. The name is a derivative of the ethnic name Elinoi, a thesprotian tribe known by Stefanos Byzantius, considered to reside in the area of Margariti - Plataria - Perdika.
The walled settlement was established during the late classical period. The walls for the most part were built in the late 4th BC century (circumference 1,600 m), at the same time with those of the other major ancient settlements of Thesprotia, Elea, Gitana and Fanoti (Doliani). During this period, the extent of the fortified settlement was about seventy acres.
During the Hellenistic period, the fortification was expanded westward, enclosing an area of one hundred and fifty additional acres and ending on the coastline, in a fairly small secured port, 'Skala Ellinikou'. The settlement flourished during the 3rd and 2nd centuries. B.C. In 167 BC it was destroyed after the attack of the Roman legions of Aemilius Paulus, however, in contrast with the other fortified settlements of Thesprotia -due to its key position for the control of the Ionian sea routes- it was not abandoned, but continued to be inhabited during the 1st century. B.C. and up to the 1st century. A.D.
The location of the fortified settlement is excellent next to Karavostasi bay, which in antiquity should have penetrated deeper into the valley creating a large natural harbor, in accordance with its contemporary name. From the settlement itself, which seems to have been facing the sea, one has excellent view to the southern part of Corfu, Paxos, Antipaxos and Lefkas.
In the summer of 2000 a rescue excavation began in the ancient settlement, following the discovery of three illegal excavations at the highest point of the fortified area. The archaeological research continued in 2001 and 2002 resulting in the disclosure of some already partly-visible buildings. During the years 2002-2008 value enhancement works were carried out at the site, which focused on the two upper 'citadels' of the settlement and included, among other things, the deforestation of the lush vegetation, the removal of stone piles and topsoil covering the walls and ancient buildings, the creation of the visitors paths, the small scale restoration of ancient building walls, the installation of protective shelters and the conservation of numerous mobile findings.
The fortified settlement of Dymokastro develops on the smooth side of the hill, south of the Karavostasi bay, covers an area of 220 acres and has a defensive wall 3,400 m long. The wall surrounds the settlement from East and North while the southern and western sides of the hill are naturally fortified and inaccessible, protected by a wall only in the most vulnerable parts.
The fortification consists of three consecutive circuits, given conventional names by S. Dakaris, the first scholar to study the site: the two eastern ones (Citadels A and B), with a perimeter of 1,600 m, are dated in the 4th century. BC, while the western one (Citadel C), with a circumference of 1,400 meters, was constructed in the Hellenistic period. The fortification, elaborately constructed in its most part, is well preserved. The wall, built of local limestone, was constructed in polygonal masonry and in its best preserved parts reaches a height of 4 m, while its width ranges between 2-4 m. Towers and frontal retrenchments reinforce its defensive ability. The main gate is located at the southeastern edge of Citadel A, while a second smaller gate at the northwestern edge of the hill top fortification served as a transition gate from the Citadel A to Citadel B. More openings in various parts of the fortification would allow communication between the three citadels, while another gate probably placed in the northwestern side of the Citadel C ensured the passage to the ancient port of Skala.
The Citadel A is the most densely constucted part of the ancient settlement and, according to all indications, its residential and administrative centre. Spatial planning was not based on organized urban design, but determined by the natural terrain. The settlement developed in artificially constructed embankments retained by strong retaining walls and is crossed by a network of roads. The buildings were constructed of local limestone, often partly or fully carved into the natural bedrock, most of them with rectangular or trapezoidal ground plans while some had a more elaborate form, its rooms arranged around a colonnaded courtyard. These buildings usually had pebbled floors and walls covered with colored coatings.
A stoa on the northern end of Citadel a served the commercial activities of the residents. A second stoa placed a in the south is associated with a large building complex of religious character, consisting of two small two-room shrines with a nave and a vestibule. Another shrine located in Citadel B has a tripartite internal division and two utility rooms. To the east there is a rock-cut altar.
A particular feature of the settlement are the three rock-cut, circular tanks for the collection of rainwater. The habitation picture completes a burial tumulus, part of an ancient cemetery at the foot of the hill outside the walls.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elina_(Epirus)
Wikidata ID: Q5361100
Trismegistos Geo: 61265

Info: Odysseus

(Odysseus, Greek Ministry of Culture)


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