The Kasta Tumulus: From the South Slope of the Athenian Akropolis to Amphipolis

Guest lecture

Dr. Michaelis Lefantzis, Directorate of Restoration of Ancient Monuments, Greek Ministry of Culture

In this lecture, architect Michaelis Lefantzis will take you on an architectural and topographical journey from the study of the Stoa of Eumenes II to the discovery of one of the most important buildings in Greece: the Macedonian Kasta Tumulus. 

Architectural research on the Stoa of Eumenes II (2005–2015) has resulted in a new history of the monument. It has also given new insight to the topography of the South Slope of the Athenian Akropolis and provided important new evidence of where the stadium was situated in the Classical period. The discovery of the Classical ξεστός, a roofed dromos, which belongs to an ancient Gymnasium will also be presented. 

The gymnasium in Amphipolis is similar to the one in Athens. In collaboration with the excavator of the Amphipolis gymnasium, Kalliopi Lazarides, this monument is still under study. A collaboration with Katerina Peristeri (Director, Ephorate of Antiquities of Serres) was initiated, since Peristeri wanted to begin the excavation at the area of what is later to be identified as the peribolos of the Kasta Tumulus. This excavation has already made a huge impact on both the scientific academia and the press. 

The architect of all the above operations, Lefantzis will examine the sequence of the findings, discuss the primary architectural documentation, and share the on-site research. He will present the variety of methods used to proceed with the search for missing parts of the monument.

Arranged by
The Saxo Institute in collaboration with
DIOMEDES (The Danish Institute for Mediterranean Studies)