Philips: Students discovered Apollo’s head, impressive images

This year’s highly successful one was once again held by his students in Philippi, as the 15 students discovered, among others, a rare head of Apollo. As stated by the Ministry of Culture’s announcement in the excavation, fifteen AUTH students (11 undergraduates, 2 graduate and 2 PhD candidates) took part. The excavation took place under the direction of Professor of Byzantine Archaeology Natalia Poulou and with direct associates, the assistant professor of Byzantine Archaeology Anastasios Tantsis as well as Professor Emeritus of Byzantine Archaeology Aristotle Mentzo. The findings This year, the excavation continued east of the southern main road (decumanus) to the point where it meets the northern axis of the city (the so-called “Egnatia”). The continuation of the marbled road was revealed, on the surface where a coin (copper follis) of Emperor Leo VI (886-912) was detected, which helps to determine the duration of use of the road. At the convergence point of the two roads it seems to form a square in which a richly decorated structure dominates and according to the elements it is a fountain. The findings of this year’s research confirm this view and help us better understand its shape and function. The 2022 survey brought to light part of the rich fountain decoration with more impressive the statue depicting Hercules unborn with a young body. The recent excavation (2023) revealed the head of another statue: it belongs to a form of a young man with a rich count adorning a wreath of laurel leaves. The head appears to belong to a statue of the god Apollo. Like the statue of Hercules dates back to the 2nd or early 3rd century AD and probably adorned the fountain, which took its final form during the 8th to 9th century. The excavation will continue the following year.