Archaeologists working at Angelokastro in Aitoloakarnania have uncovered a grand square structure featuring a columned central courtyard, alongside a cache of bronze coins, decorative roof tiles, and ancient pottery. The discoveries mark the completion of the opening field season at the ancient settlement of Arsinoe, conducted as part of an international five-year research programme running from 2026 to 2030.
Co-directed by Dr Olympia Vikatou, Secretary General of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, and Dr Li Xinwei, Director of the Chinese School of Classical Studies in Athens, the field project is run in direct partnership with the Ephorate of Antiquities of Aitoloakarnania and Lefkada. The initiative establishes a major collaborative effort between Greek and Chinese institutions to document and preserve regional classical heritage.
Unearthing the Columned Monument at Kakavaria
Fieldwork focused on the Kakavaria sector, an area where previous infrastructure works and trials had pointed to buried structural remains. The joint team widened an earlier trench first opened decades ago by archaeologist Lazaros Kolonas, exposing a well-crafted, symmetrical square edifice arranged around an internal peristyle courtyard.
Structural examinations indicate that the building underwent multiple phases of repairs and adaptations, proving that the complex served the urban centre across several continuous historical periods. Architectural parallels link the building design directly to monumental structures documented elsewhere in the region, most notably at nearby Kalydon.
Excavation at ancient Arsinoe in Greece reveals columned courtyard building, coins and pottery
Masonry alterations and wall reinforcements across the complex reveal that the structure was repeatedly renovated and adapted over distinct chronological eras.
Recovered Artefacts and Material Culture
Excavations throughout the interior and peripheral zones produced an array of small finds that shed light on local trade, diet, and construction techniques. The inventory includes:
- Bronze coinage that will assist numismatists in establishing precise chronological phases for the building levels.
- Architectural terracotta, including standard roof tiles and ornate clay end tiles designed for decorative rooflines.
- Domestic ceramics and pottery fragments reflecting daily activity and food preparation.
- Faunal remains consisting of animal bones, which offer direct biological evidence of regional consumption patterns.
Conservators have begun cleaning and stabilising the fragile artefacts on site, preparing the assemblage for detailed specialist analyses to identify typologies, production dates, and fabric sources.
Challenging the Single-Phase Urban Myth
A widespread assumption in classical urban archaeology suggests that regional provincial centres were constructed in uniform building phases and left largely unaltered. The stratified layers recorded at the ancient Arsinoe excavation dismantle this view entirely, proving that civic spaces underwent constant renovation, practical repairs, and structural shifts over generations.
| Fieldwork Category | Project Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Angelokastro (Kakavaria sector), Aitoloakarnania |
| Principal Directors | Dr Olympia Vikatou and Dr Li Xinwei |
| Collaborating Bodies | Greek Ministry of Culture, Chinese School of Classical Studies in Athens, Ephorate of Antiquities of Aitoloakarnania and Lefkada |
| Key Architecture | Square building with columned courtyard |
| Material Finds | Bronze coins, pottery, decorated roof tiles, animal bones |
| Programme Span | Five-year collaborative project (2026β2030) |
Excavation at ancient Arsinoe in Greece reveals columned courtyard building, coins and pottery
Future Research and Remote Sensing Campaign
Future seasons will shift focus beyond individual domestic and civic blocks to assess the settlement’s defensive perimeter, targeting its ancient fortification walls and towers. Field teams plan to integrate advanced archaeological survey tools alongside traditional stratigraphical digging.
- Geophysical surveys across unexcavated terraces to map subsurface anomalies.
- Remote sensing and aerial spatial mapping to determine settlement layout.
- Geoarchaeological studies to reconstruct landscape evolution and environmental conditions.
- Systematic surface surveys to define the true administrative boundaries of Arsinoe.
π‘ The ongoing field project at Angelokastro illustrates how bilateral partnerships provide fresh resources for complex classical sites across Greece.
π As post-excavation work proceeds on the recovered coins and ceramics, specialists will secure finer dates for Arsinoe’s urban peak.
π Leave your thoughts in the comments below on this joint international excavation, or share your experiences with us regarding archaeological fieldwork in the Mediterranean.
