Ancient Olympia Excavations Reveal 30m Colonnade

Excavators believe that additional remnants of an ancient gymnasium still lie hidden, but drainage problems are hindering work.

Another thirty metres of the eastern stoa, or colonnade, of the gymnasium at Ancient Olympia has been revealed in excavations, the Central Archaeological Council said, after a meeting that approved a study to drain rainwater from the site.

According to the culture ministry, the gymnasium is a large quadrangular building, with central court surrounded by stoas. A series of rooms for the athletes probably occupied the west wing. The better-studied east wing consists of a solid outer wall, an internal double Doric colonnade, and another colonnade of sixty columns along the court.

The colonnade along the court has been excavated to 70 metres; the recent excavations add 30 to this, while excavators estimate another 80 metres remain to be uncovered, if the project can secure further NSRF funding. The project has been included in the 2007-20013 NSRF cycle of funds, which is running out.

 

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