Επιστροφή στην Αρχική σελίδα

Archaeological site

Circular Burial Monument - Colones

The circular burial monument of the 4th century BC is located south of Salamis at the site of Kolones. It is a circular burial monument of monumental construction that enclosed three tombs belonging to persons of the same family. Its construction is placed in the second quarter of the 4th century century BC, a time in which a tendency to exaggeration characterizes the "marking" of graves throughout Attica. The enclosure, totaling 3.50 m. and 10.70 m in diameter, it has been constructed from 6 rows of local limestone blocks. Remains of all six series of buildings were uncovered, so the restoration reached their original height. Inside the enclosure, there were three sarcophagi, which were found arrested and with the covers broken. Of these, two were of marble and the third of conch shell stone and one funeral pyre. A part of the square masonry construction is also preserved, it is a pedestal of similar dimensions to the enclosure. During the restoration works, evidence came to light from which it can be seen that a sculptural composition of probably a marble lykyth and a marble tombstone with an inscription had been erected on it as a tomb "mark". During the restoration work, as the archaeologist An. Kapetanopoulou notes, the monument was mistakenly considered a watch tower, a temple of Aedas according to the reports of Pausanias and finally a frictoria due to its central location. But the excavations, which brought to light the burials inside the trench, confirmed the construction of the monument in the 4th century. e.g. and its funerary use. According to the hypotheses of the archaeologists, the owner of the monument was either a large owner of land and a neighboring agricultural settlement, or a wealthy resident of the city of Salamis, who may have had occupations related to the sea and trade. He chose the top of the cape to build the impressive family burial monument in order to pay tribute to his loved ones who are "departing", but also to gain the coveted posthumous fame by making the monument a distinctive building, visible to passers-by from land and sea. (The text was written by Ms. Maria Butsi) This point of interest is coastal and urban. Suitable Visiting Season: All year round. It is not accessible by public transport. There is no cost or ticket. Visiting hours: Free. Source of photographic material: salamina.gr