The archaeological site at Agios Nikolaos Pallon falls within the geographical boundaries of the ancient demos of Halai Aixonides. The excavations finds confirm its use during the Classical, Roman and Byzantine periods. Dated to Classical times are part of a grave enclosure and a road. During Roman/Late Roman times, a pottery workshop was operating at the site and the two kilns excavated so far were founded inside the Classical enclosure. To the east of the kilns and contemporary with them was an installation comprising at least 25 rooms. In Byzantine times, two churches (Church 1 and Church 2) were founded, which are of basilica type. The toponym ‘Agios Nikolaos Pallon’, which survives due to oral testimonies about the locality, is possibly connected with these churches. Indeed, Church I had incorporated into its foundations the north and east walls of the Classical grave enclosure. The site at Palloi has one unique advantage, as it is an expropriated archaeological site within the dense urban web of the modern town, in which remains of the Classical, Roman and Byzantine periods survive, attesting the unbroken continuity of habitation in the area and shedding light on hitherto unknown aspects of its history. The excavation has an educational role, since its participants are mainly students from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, together with students from universities in America and Australia attending courses at the International Centre of Greek and Mediterranean Studies (ΔΙΚΕΜΕΣ-CYA).
Image source: Systematic Excavation Archive of Agios Nikolaos Pallon, Giannis Asvestas
