SALAMIS, GREECE – The ongoing underwater archaeological research along the eastern shores of Salamis, conducted by the Institute of Marine Archaeological Research (I.M.A.R.), has yielded significant new findings that shed light on the ancient city’s history. This research, now in its eighth consecutive year, is part of a new five-year program (2023-2027) supported by the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities (E.U.A.) under the Ministry of Culture.

Led by Professor Emeritus Giannos G. Lolos of the University of Ioannina and Dr. Angeliki G. Simosi, Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and the Islands, the 2023 expedition focused on the submerged remains of the Classical city of Salamis. The research team, consisting of archaeologists, specialists, and technicians, successfully uncovered large sections of a sea wall, dating back to the 4th century BC, along the southern side of the Pounta Peninsula in the Ampelaki Bay area.

This sea wall, reinforced with towers, is one of the many significant public constructions that have been intensively studied in recent years. The course of the wall has now been clearly identified, adding to the understanding of the ancient city’s fortifications.

A key focus of the 2023 excavation was a large, elongated public building, partially submerged and oriented north-south in the northwestern corner of the bay. This building, which may have served as a stoa (a covered walkway or portico), was investigated using an ‘amphibious’ excavation technique. This method combines terrestrial and underwater archaeological practices, allowing the team to explore the structure in a challenging, muddy environment.

The building, uncovered over a length of 32 meters and a width of 6 meters, is believed to extend further north onto the shoreline. It comprises a series of 6 to 7 rooms, with open spaces facing west, and features robust walls constructed from large cut stone blocks.

Among the most notable discoveries are fragments of stelae with inscriptions from the Roman and Classical-Hellenistic periods, a fragment of a statuette depicting Asclepius—a widely venerated deity in ancient Greece—and a small stone slab anchor, which highlights the maritime significance of the area.

These findings, along with a wealth of pottery and other artifacts, offer valuable insights into the topography and urban development of the ancient city of Salamis. The building’s location likely marks the eastern side of the Agora of the Classical-Hellenistic city, near the harbor, parts of which were described by the traveler Pausanias in the 2nd century AD.

The 2023 research team included prominent archaeologists and specialists, who collaborated closely to ensure the success of the excavation. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Eleni Banou, Head of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities, and Mr. Charalambos Kritzas, Honorary Director of the Epigraphic Museum, for their expert contributions.

All of this information is according to a press release issued on August 2, 2024, by the Greek Ministry of Culture.