In October 2024, the systematic archaeological research in Chiliomodi, Corinthia, was completed within the framework of the research project “Ancient Tenea”. This year, for the first time in Corinthia, a monumental burial building of the Hellenistic period was discovered in accordance with the models of the Macedonian tombs. The findings from the exterior and interior of the tomb clearly refer to its long-standing use and to a cult associated with healing.

The funerary monument has an asymmetrical “T” shape in plan and consists of two sections, the access corridor measuring 2.80m × 1.20m and the main burial chamber measuring 2.75m. × 7.40μ. The burial chamber, rectangular in plan, has its longitudinal axis oriented N-S, while the corridor meets the burial chamber vertically in the middle of its eastern long side. Access to the burial chamber is via a relatively narrow corridor running in an E-W direction, which consists of an open-air section, which can be described as a ‘road’, and a covered section, part of the horizontal roof of which is preserved, while the entrance to this section is via a doorway, which was found sealed externally with a rectangular cover plate. The lintel of the opening is formed by a rectangular member in reuse.

In the main chamber a monolithic sarcophagus and five other rectangular built-in cases were found around the walls: in two graves the covering slabs were found obviously broken, while in the others no cover was found. Of the six graves, only the sarcophagus preserved the burial of an adult, probably a woman, in an anatomical position, while in the other graves the anthropological material was found disturbed. Remarkably, a large number of animal bones from large and small domestic animals were found within the sarcophagus, including a turtle shell. A dense layer of animal bones was found both in the backfill of the monument and within the burial chamber, together with 5th and 6th century AD pottery. Χ. It seems that the monument was used for burials until the 4th century AD when it was sealed and then in the late Roman period the roof was breached, the burials were sealed and it was used exclusively for periphrastic burials.

The findings from the interior of the monument and the tombs within it are rich and date mainly to the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Among them stand out a gold ring with a semi-precious stone seal depicting Apollo with a healing serpent, two gold laces copying coin types of the Hellenistic period of Sicyon, a votive clay finger, gold leaves from a wreath, a deposit of Hellenistic period microcylindrical vases, a silver tetrovolon of Philip III Arridaios, iron sling and iron manual, bronze decorative objects, glass beads, bronze bolts, spindle-shaped and bulb-shaped myrrh vessels, etc. .

Interesting, however, is the area outside the monument the excavation of which has not been completed. East of the entrance of the monument was found part of a cobbled road with direction N/S and with a slope to the south, while north of the monument was revealed part of an enclosure 6,50 m. × 4,10 m. In the backfill of the space defined by the enclosure were found votive offerings – models of clay hand fingers with a hole suspension as well as part of a clay model arm, indications that constitute a place of special worship associated with healing. Besides, in and around the funerary monument, architectural parts were found, epicranium, part of a chest and part of a parastasis trunk, as well as parts of a horizontal cornice which could not be excluded to be part of a possible visible superstructure of the monument, such as a funerary temple or to come from smaller funerary monuments in the immediate surroundings of the cemetery. In any case, the continuation and completion of the excavation in the surrounding area of the monument, is expected to clarify the original form of the complex in which the mausoleum was included, as well as the chronological episodes associated with it.

Archaeological research continued in the residential fabric of the city with the discovery in the upper excavation layers of new structures of Roman and late Roman times related to habitation, the production process and the storage of products. Among other things, the rectangular furnace stands out, which is preserved in an extremely good condition. It has an underground heating chamber and an above-ground firing chamber. The firing tunnel leads to the heating chamber, in the middle of which there is a square section pillar from which radiating wood beams for the support of the grate, which ended in the clay-lined side walls of the kiln, are running. The firing chamber is square and saves a large part of the grate by means of evenly spaced heating holes. Inside the kiln, a large quantity of charred clay, downtrodden parts of the arches and the grate and few deformed pottery fragments were found.

The project of Ancient Tenea is carried out by the Directorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture under the direction of Dr. E. Korka and the archaeologist in charge of the excavations is Mrs. P. Evangelloglou, archaeologist of the Corinthian Archaeological Foundation. It is supported by an interdisciplinary team headed by Dr. K. Lagos, numismatologist, Mrs. Chr. Papageorgopoulou, anthropologist and professor at the University of Thessaloniki, and Mr. A. Georgopoulos. In the framework of the above collaborations, modern methods of photogrammetric imaging, 3D imaging of spaces, objects and anthropological material were applied. For another year, students from University Institutions of Greece participated in the competition, with the responsible department heads P. Vlachou, E. Kapuralou, P. Panailidis, I. Christidis, H. Terzoudis, the architect Dr. D. Bartzis, the topographer Z.Korolis under the supervision of A. Heliodromitis, associate lecturer of the UNIWA. Responsible for the conservation of the finds is the conservator of works of art and antiquities Mrs. F. Koussiaki in collaboration with the conservator L. Dinou. The curator and editor of the educational programmes and creative writing workshops is Dr. M. Hapsa, philologist and writer, who serves at the 4th High School of Corinth. This year, educational guided tours to students of Corinth were held at the excavation site.

The result of these educational visits will be the realization of a cultural tribute to ancient Tenea on 21 February 2025 entitled: “ANCIENT TENEA, TEEN “VOICES” AND ACTIVE CIVILITY” by eleven schools of Corinthian Secondary Education.