Attica’s Ancient Merenda Site Expanded

Photo Source: National Archaeological Museum of Athens

The ancient site of Merenda, formerly the ancient city of Myrrinous where one of the most important works of Archaic art was found, the Phrasikleia Kore, is being expanded and now officially comes under the protection and maintenance of the Central Archaeological Council (KAS).

The area, declared an archaeological site in 1989, has now been expanded to include locations where a large number of archaeological treasures dating back to prehistoric and post-Byzantine times came to light.

The site now includes antiquities located within the Olympic facilities including a 15-room farmhouse dating back to the late 4th-3rd century BC, a 4th century BC burial enclosure as well as a preserved section of an ancient road.

The ancient city of Myrrinous, in southeastern Attica near Markopoulo, came to light with excavation work that took place ahead of the Athens 2004 Olympics.