Archaeologists have linked the ancient ports of Corinth - video

A team of Danish and Greek archaeologists have linked the outer and inner harbour of ancient Corinth at Lechajon with the Lechaion Harbour Project. Researchers from the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports and the University of Copenhagen are thus continuing to make remarkable discoveries at the site. Among these latest were structures connecting the inner and outer harbour, as well as a unique wooden bastion that formed part of the pier flanking the entrance to the inner harbour.

The findings of the archaeologists also show that the harbour of Lechajon in ancient times, was a much more important site than originally thought. During three consecutive seasons dedicated to research and excavation, it was possible to delineate the main coastal structures, the monumental canal entrance and several internal channels that connected at least four harbour basins. In total, the whole must have been over 500,000 m², which puts Lechajon on a par with the other major ports of antiquity – Athens, Piraeus or Roman Portus.

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[blockquote style=”2″]”This season, topographical and geophysical surveys have allowed us to successfully delineate the area between the outer and inner harbour. As a result, we have established that in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, the channel connecting the outer and inner harbour was 30 metres wide, getting narrower and narrower in the following centuries. The exact reason why this happened is still to be determined.” – said Bjørn Lovén, one of the directors of the Lechaion Harbour Project.[/blockquote]

The team mapped and mapped the full height of the pier flanking the east side of the entrance channel. This was made possible by careful and methodical work to which 35 dive days were devoted. At the entrance to the harbour substantial stone foundations were discovered, perhaps on which the tower protecting the entrance to the harbour rested. Two fragments of columns were also found nearby. Their purpose remains unknown. The researchers promise themselves more interesting findings after further research.

[blockquote style=”2″]”The extremely rare wooden structures allow us to hope for further discoveries of objects made of organic materials such as wooden tools, furniture, wooden elements of buildings or wrecks. The potential is enormous and it is important to point out that we hardly ever find objects made of organic materials during surface surveys carried out in the Mediterranean.” – added Bjørn Lovén, representing the University of Copenhagen.[/blockquote]

Lechajon is located in the isthmus connecting the Peloponnese with mainland Greece. From the very beginning, it was an important trading centre in the region, which was bustling all year round, providing Corinth with great wealth. Ancient authors repeatedly stressed in their chronicles that Lechajon was the most preferred route by merchant ships. For centuries, Lechajon provided Corinth with the attention and resources to become an extremely important cultural centre.

Source: humanities.ku.dk, scubahellas.com