Archaeological site of Thorikos
The ancient settlement of Thorikos is located in Velatouri hill and dates back to the 3rd millennium BC.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
1885 The theatre was discovered by the American School of Classical Studies.
1890 During this decade, the domed tombs were discovered by the Archaeological Company in Athens.
1960 From 1960 up until today, research on the settlement has mainly been conducted by the Belgian Archaeological Mission and the Second Curator’s Office of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities.
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
The decay of Thorikos started in the 3rd century BC and it was totally abandoned after Sulla’s invasion (86 BC). It was re-inhabited during the Roman period but it was abandoned again after the Slavic invasions (6th century AD).
Classical era (478-323 BC)
The theatre took its present form in the mid-5th or the 4th century BC (orchestra expansion, seats constructed of stone).
412 BC During the Peloponnesian war, the port at the eastern peninsula was reinforced with walls in order to protect the mines.
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
The first orchestra of the theatre dates back to the end of 6th century BC.
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
The ancient settlement of Thorikos is located in Velatouri hill and dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. Geometric, Archaic and Classical eras are “captured” in homes, temples (in the NW slope), the necropolis, public buildings, mines, workshops and other buildings. It thrived during the classical period. Five tombs of the Mycenaean period (vaulted and shaft) were also found on the hill. In one of them, vases and figurines of the 7th – 5th centuries BC were found, thanks to which the space appears to have been used for hero worship. Perhaps the most important building is the theatre, which architecturally is quite original. Most of the seating is set in straight rows, and only their ends are curved. On the western side of the theatre is a Doric temple of Demeter and Kore. When Thorikos was in decline, architectural parts of the temple were transferred to the Athens Agora, to build a temple for the worship of Roman emperors. For now, enhancement works for the promotion of the site remain incomplete.
What I can't see
Thorikos was the most important port in the region (Laureotiki). According to mythology, it was one of the 12 cities founded by Cecrops, before they were united by Theseus. The sacred calendar of Thorikos, as preserved, describes in detail the religious practices and customs of the region. The theatre was the first theatre built in Attica and the oldest in Greece.
Bibliography
http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/gh351.jsp?obj_id=2468
Last visit: 29/7/2015
Foka Ι., Valavanis P., (1994), Περίπατοι στην Αθήνα και την Αττική, τόποι, θεοί, μνημεία [Strolls in Athens and Attica, places, gods, monuments], Kedros
