Styrfaka 2

The multi-roomed, corridor-like structure, with a NW-SE orientation, consists of at least nine rooms, built during two architectural phases.  Although the excavation data are insufficient to fully restore the building’s structural elements (floors, superstructure), its roofing is confirmed by extensive layers of destruction debris, including fragments of Laconian roof tiles found within most rooms.

Movable finds include clay storage and household vessels (pithoi, amphorae, oinochoai, plates, lamps, unguentaria, lekythoi, etc.), with a notable presence of many sherds of skyphoi with relief decoration.  The excavation also uncovered loom weights, both stamped and unstamped, in various shapes and stamp designs, spindle whorls, a clay circular stamp with plant decoration (rosette), fragments of clay figurines, beads and numerous metal artifacts. These include weapons (arrowheads and spearheads, sauroters), tools (sickle, sickle-shaped knife, axe, hoe, blacksmith’s tongs), everyday and household items (nails, horseshoes, rings, keys, etc.), and jewellery (pins, belt buckle, rings with relief stamps or snake-head tips).  The discovery of a large number of coins from the mints of various Hellenistic cities and Koina (confederations) indicates the busy nature of this site.

The movable finds and the building’s location, in proximity to the Hellenistic sanctuary of Demeter and associated deities, suggest that the Hellenistic building, of a domestic and agricultural use, is related to the operation of the nearby sanctuary. Its use spans from the 4th century B.C. to the 2nd century B.C.​​