In the framework of the preparatory works for the construction of the Metro Extension to Egaleo, significant archaeological finds were brought to light at the locations of ELEONAS and EGALEO Stations, as well as at Profitis Daneil Ventilation Shaft.
In particular, the following archaeological finds were revealed during the archaeological excavations:
- Ancient Iera Odos – EGALEO Station.
A section of ancient Ieras Odos surrounded by retaining walls and a roadside cemetery - The most ancient bridge of Greece – ELEONAS Station.
Three (3) abutment foundations of a bridge at Kifissos River - Ancient Iera Odos – Profiti Daneil Shaft
A section of ancient Ieras Odos and its retaining wall dating back between the Geometrical Era and the Post-Roman Era
These three archeological treasures were revealed by ATTIKO METRO S.A. and today, the specially configured areas are delivered to the public (see photos).
Upon completion of the small-scale handing-over ceremony, the Secretary General of Public Works Mr. Stratos Simopoulos stated that “the fruitful cooperation between ATTIKO METRO S.A. and the Ministry of Culture both in Athens and in Thessaloniki is confirmed once again, which yields the best possible result in terms of Metro construction works and revealing of significant archaeological treasures”.
In the framework of the same ceremony, the Chairman and Managing Director of ATTIKO METRO S.A. Mr. Christos Tsitouras made the following statements:
“The Metro Project constitutes both a technically complex construction endeavor and an opportunity for significant archaeological discoveries. The archaeological treasures were revealed by ATTIKO METRO S.A. – fully respecting our cultural heritage – at the location where they were found. Today, ATTIKO METRO S.A. delivers to the residents of Athens three properly configured areas, offering them the opportunity to have a close look on several aspects of the history of Greece.
Underneath Acropolis and only 3km from the city center (Omonia), Greek residents and visitors can experience the feeling of living the ancient city’s history, thanks to the archaeological finds discovered and revealed during the Metro construction works.
This ATTIKO METRO S.A. activity will continue in other areas of Attica Basin, as well as in the framework of Thessaloniki Metro Project, vesting thus the Metro projects in Greece with a unique characteristic compared to other European Metro Projects”.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture Ms. Lina Mendoni pointed out that: “The Metropolitan Railway Projects both in Athens and Thessaloniki gave ATTIKO METRO S.A. and the competent services of the General Secretary of Culture the opportunity to develop a solid relationship of cooperation and trust. An undisputable multidisciplinary archaeological and history research has taken place in the worksites, leading to a high level archaeological project, in the framework of which the archaeological methods were adapted to the contemporary trends and which brought to light a vast amount of new data, which changed, corrected and supplemented the archaeology and history map of the city, enriched the history with new and unknown evidence and the museums with new finds.
On the occasion of the Metro Project construction, the Archaeological Department gained extensive experience, while the scientific community of archaeology acquired one more “trend”, according to which, the construction of a technical project in a vibrant and densely populated city, such as the capital of Greece, with a sustainable, long-spanning history and abundant monuments, was combined not only with the archaeological investigation and the ensuing increased knowledge, but mainly with the protection and the revealing of the archaeological wealth.
A series of small-scale archaeological sites was set up in the very heart of Athens, at the locations where the archaeological investigations brought to light a significant number of archaeological relics, worthwhile to be displayed, visited, and which can enrich the modern urban environment, while the Metro Stations have been enriched with small archaeological exhibitions of high aesthetics. Three such archaeological sites at ELEONAS and EGALEO Stations and at Profitis Daneil Shaft, as well as an archaeological display area in EGALEO Station are handed over today to the public and the visitors of this city by ATTIKO METRO S.A. and the General Secretary of Culture of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, Culture and Sports (ΥΠΑΙΘΠΑ)”.
