Athen, Griechenland. Neues zum Altar vor dem Heiligen Tor im Kerameikos. Ergebnisse der Kampagne 2022

Abstract

A classical marble altar is positioned just outside tower C of the Sacred Gate in the Kerameikos site, on the southern edge of the Sacred Road. It was repositioned there after excavation from 2002 to 2003, when its original limestone base was found below the Proteichisma tower (phase 1). The altar was surrounded by small temenos made out of limestones that opened onto the Sacred Street. On this Northeast side of the marble monument, a broad step allowed one to sit and watch the activities on the processional road. The marble altar itself had been found already during 19th century excavation in a position about 3,50 m above the street level of the late 4th century/early Hellenistic level of the Sacred Road. This position corresponds to a Roman level of the 2nd century AD or later (phase 3). Given the remarkable difference in level, there must have been at least one, probably several intermediate positions (phase 2) before the altar was positioned where it was found. One probable intermediate position was identified during the documentation work in 2022.