New excavations in Ancient Greek harbor of Lechaion in Corinth reveal Roman engineering

Greece's Culture Ministry announced that for the fifth consecutive year, investigations were carried out as part of the Lechaion Harbor Project. Between October and November 2017, excavations and digital footprints were carried out on the two-port remnants of the external port (L-M1 and L-M2). A detailed surface cleaning and excavation was also carried out for the first time in the remains of the building that dominates the center of Harbor Basin 3.

The Lechaion Harbor Project is a collaboration between the Ephorate of Elders of Antiquities and the Institute of Denmark in Athens to study and highlight the ancient port of Corinth at Lechaio. The port played a key role in the long historical development of the city of ancient Corinth. Located about 3 kilometers from the ancient city and facing the west, it was undoubtedly the most important medium of growth during the different periods of the peak of Corinth. In 146 BC. he suffered serious destruction by the Roman general Mammius, but soon he re-emerged from 44 BC. in the context of the re-establishment of Corinth as Colonia Laus Iulia Corinthiensis was once again used as a port.

The investigations are conducted under the direction of the Hellenic Federation of Scientists, D. Kourkoumeli (Ephorate of Old Antiquities) and Dr. B. Lönn (SACHO-Institute, University of Copenhagen) funded by the Augustinus Foundation and the Carlsberg Foundation. The most important results of this year's research period are the following:

Inland Harbor: Excavation was carried out east of the monumental structure in the middle of Harbor 3 (Harbor Basin 3). The building has dimensions 9m x 9m, it consists of rectangular structures bearing traces of tumulus and is saved at the height of four structures. During the excavation, ceramics and other finds dating from the 1st to the 6th century AD were found.

Organic residues and pieces of processed wood were also found which are preserved in excellent condition due to the anoxic conditions of the bottom of the harbor. Through the analysis of the organic DNA of organic residues it will be possible to reconstitute the flora and fauna of the Lechaeum region during the various phases of antiquity. Respective findings are also expected in the future in the Harbor Basin 3 area. Although its use remains unclear at present, the detached fragments found in the incision in conjunction with the findings indicate that the building was probably destroyed by an earthquake between 50-125 AD. and suffered further damage during the earthquake of the 6th century AD.

External port: Excavations were made east of Molos 1 (L-M1) and west of Molos 2 (L-M2). The purpose of the excavations was to reveal the foundations of the Moles and to detail their remnants (Fig. 6). The Moles are preserved at a height of 4 blocks and are built in stages. In particular, Molos 2 L-M2 seems to be seated on a layer of pebbles placed on the sandy bottom at a depth of approximately 3.5 m from the current surface of the sea (Fig. 7, 8). Molos 1 (L-M1) has been discovered in a length of 45 meters and a width of about 18 meters. It is rested at a height of 4 meters and is made of large structures measuring 2.5 x 0.9 x 0.8 meters. On Mole 1 (L-M1) the remnants of a square floor building were found with dimensions of approximately 12 m x 12 m, which probably constituted the foundations of another building (probably fortification tower or lighthouse).

At the same time, extensive samples of sedimentary cores and three-dimensional aerial representations were carried out, focusing mainly on the inland port harbors. The purpose of the investigations was to study the stratigraphy and geomorphology of the harbors and the canals that connected them in order to reconstruct the paleogeography of the area. The preliminary study of drilling results indicates the existence of a further 40,000 square meter port (L-M1 and L-M2) of approximately 40,000 square meters (L-M1 and L-M2) and provides data through sediment dating the confirmation of the use of port 1 during the Roman period (mid-1st century AD).

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Photo Source: culture.gr