The discipline of Archaeology

From 2004-2008, the Archaeology section of ΙΑΚΑ (in collaboration with the 13th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities) conducted an excavation project at "Soros" within the limits of the municipality of Iolkos. This site is usually identified with the Archaic-Classical Amphanai, but it is occasionally linked to Pagasai as well. The University has undertaken the excavation of the suburban sanctuary of Apollo, which had been partly excavated in 1973 by a group of German archaeologists and architects, under the supervision of V. Milojčić. The neighbouring fortified settlement of the Archaic and Classical period has been partly excavated by Ap. Arvanitopoulos, while excavations in the area of the cemetery NW of the settlement (Alykes) and within the fortified area are conducted by the 13th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, under the direction of A. Batziou-Eustathiou and P. Triantafillopoulou.

The investigation of the important sanctuary of Apollo of the Archaic-Classical period was concluded with the excavations. The large rectangular temple, the slightly earlier pronaos, as well as the two annexes have been systematically explored. Judging by the presence of a stone bench that runs along the three sides of the temple, an eschara within the temple, as well as the numerous cooking vessels and utilitarian pottery, it is supposed that the temple served as a hestiatorion. Next to the temple, as small rectangular oikos has been excavated possibly identified with the first archaic cult building of the sanctuary, as well as an inscribed statue base in second use.

It seems that the sanctuary was abandoned concurrently with the settlement, when Demetrias was established in 294/3 BC.