INTRODUCTION

A small rural sanctuary of the Hellenistic period on the fringes of mount Othrys

The archaeological investigation works that preceded the major public infrastructure projects in Phthiotida, have enriched the region’s archaeological map. The excavations that took place during the construction of the Central Greece Motorway (E65) yielded a significant volume of archaeological material and a variety of finds.

The discoveries include:

  • Remains of settlement dating to the Late Protogeometric and Sub-Protogeometric periods (10th – 9th centuries B.C.) in Perivoli, Domokos.
  • Architectural remnants of buildings from two chronological periods of the Late Bronze Age (16th – 14th centuries B.C.) in Agios Stefanos, Domokos.
  • A Proto-Geometric cemetery (10th century B.C.) at Magoula Potistika, Stavros.

A significant ancient settlement was discovered in the mountainous area of Styrfaka, Lamia (Palaiochori site), situated along a road passage of Mount Othrys that connected the Spercheios valley with Thessaly, and it was investigated in two different excavation phases. This site has been identified as a sanctuary dedicated to Demeter and associated deities.