Impressive archaeological discovery in Eretria: Mosaic floor unearthed during water pipeline installation

A section of a house from the late Classical period (mid-4th century BC), featuring a pebble mosaic floor with a central depiction of two Satyrs, was discovered in the city of Eretria during the installation of the new unified water pipeline.

This work is part of the Municipality of Eretria’s project “Replacement of Eretria’s Water Supply Network (remaining parts of the city)”, and is being monitored by specialized personnel from the Ephorate of Antiquities of Euboea.

This building is located at the core of the ancient city, near the sanctuary of Apollo Daphnephoros, the “Neighborhood of Panathenaic Amphorae”, and the “House of Mosaics”, where 4th-century BC houses with elaborate pebble mosaic floors have been previously investigated.

Archaeological Findings

During the excavation, a nearly square room with internal dimensions of 3.50m x 3.55m was revealed, bordered by walls on the south and east sides. The northern and western walls could not be exposed due to the limited scope of the excavation site and the presence of a municipal road.

Inside the room, a mosaic floor made of small, white natural pebbles was uncovered, featuring a central medallion, 1.13m in diameter, depicting Satyrs. The depiction includes two male figures with animalistic characteristics (tails, horns, pointed ears). One is a young man playing a double flute, while the other is an older, bearded man likely dancing to the music. Various colored pebbles (white, black, red, yellow) were used to detail the figures, with yellow pebbles particularly used for hair, adding realism and vibrancy to the depiction.

Room Features and Historical Context

An elevated plaster floor along the northern, eastern, and western sides of the room, measuring 0.935m wide and 2-3 cm high, was also revealed. This structure was used for placing couches or recliners, a common feature in houses of the same period in Eretria (Western Neighborhood, House of Mosaics), identifying the space as an andron, where feasts and symposiums were held. The Satyrs’ lively depiction, enjoying music, aligns with the room’s intended use for festivities.

Later Use and Preservation

After its abandonment in the early Christian centuries (5th-6th century AD), the space was repurposed as a cemetery, evidenced by the discovery of five tombs (4 tile-roofed and 1 simple pit) within the room’s fill, and another five (4 tile-roofed and 1 simple pit) outside the room.

Following the excavation and initial assessment of the archaeological data, the house and pebble mosaic floor likely date to after the mid-4th century BC. This period saw the emergence of luxurious private residences in ancient Eretria, following the architectural style of a central peristyle courtyard surrounded by private and public spaces for formal occasions and symposiums. Similar pebble floors from the “House of Mosaics” are dated around 360-350 BC.

Future Plans and Conservation

In a unanimous decision by the local Council of Monuments of Central Greece on 26-06-2024, it was decided to temporarily backfill the floor for protection and modify the water pipeline route to avoid any damage and facilitate future preservation.

The Ephorate of Antiquities of Euboea, recognizing the excellent preservation of the pebble mosaic floor and the uniqueness of the central medallion, has carried out immediate stabilization and cleaning work by the Service’s Conservators. Additionally, efforts are being made to include this new archaeological ensemble in the “Study for the unification of the monuments of the archaeological site of Eretria”, funded by the Regional Operational Programme “Central Greece 2014-2020”, to be reviewed by the Central Archaeological Council (KAS).

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