ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES - DIMINI

DIMINI

Dimini has provided the most complete picture of a Neolithic settlement up to now. The archaeological site was initially known for the remains of a Neolithic settlement on the hill. The pottery found there consists the dating basis for the Late Neolithic subperiods in the whole hellenic area. The use of the enclosures (periboloi) surrounding the settlement has been particularly discussed.

Nowadays, apart from the Neolithic settlement (5th millenium B.C.), a very important large Mycenaean settlement has been discovered, which has been identified as ancient Iolkos, the city of Jason. A well-constructed wide road and many houses have been brought to light. The excavations of this settlement are still in process.

Excavations in the Neolithic settlement took place at the beginning of the century by V. Stais and Chr. Tsountas (1901-1903). The excavation of the tholos tomb on the hill took place in 1901 by V. Stais. The Mycenaean tholos tomb (known as "Lamiospito") was excavated in 1886 by Lolling and Wolters. In 1977 Prof. G. Chourmouziadis continued the excavation of the Neolithic settlement. The excavation of the Mycenaean settlement started in 1980 by V. Adrymi-Sismani and is still being continued.

The large, well-organized Late Neolithic settlement.
It lies 5 km. SW of Volos and follows a primitive town-planning.
The area uncovered is extensive; houses were excavated on the hill, surrounded by enclosure walls, built in pairs around the hill.
The settlement was inhabited from the end of the 5th millennium B.C. onwards

Mycenaean settlement SW of the hill of the Neolithic site.
The large settlement, occupies an area of more than 25 acres and has been identified by the excavator with ancient Iolkos.
"Megaroid" houses were built with the same orientation on either side of a wide street.
The settlement is dated to the 15-12th centuries B.C.

Mycenean tholos tomb.
It lies NW of the hill with the Neolithic settlement and should be attributed to the kings of the Mycenean settlement.
It is large, well-built, with a relieving triangle and a built larnax inside the chamber.
The upper part of the structure has collapsed.
It is dated to the Late Helladic IIIB2 period (second half of the 13th century B.C.).

The ticket is valid for both the Archaeological Sites of Dimini and Sesklo