( Akanthos )
It was founded in the middle of the 7th century BC from Ionian settlers of Andros, perhaps also from Chalcidians of Evia. In 348 BC it was occupied by King Philip II and in 200 BC. passed into Roman rule.
Very important port in the NE. side of the coast, i.e. the peninsula of Athos, from where the mineral and forest wealth of the region was traded. Inhabitation was found on Kastro hill as early as the early Iron Age (11th - 8th centuries BC). The extensive archaeological site is systematically investigated. Parts of the archaic and classical wall have been identified, a much damaged monumental temple of classical times, perhaps dedicated to Athena, a large building with neat masonry, colored mortars and a paved courtyard with a well in its northern wing (5th - 1st c. BC. X.). The extensive cemetery of the ancient city stretches across the sandy beach of Ierissos and to date around 9,000 burials have been investigated (from the end of the 7th century BC to the Roman period), which yielded a multitude of objects testifying to the prosperity of the city and its commercial relations with many other regions of the ancient Greek world. Part of the findings is exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Polygyros.
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou