Kotroni hill in Kapandriti, Municipality of Oropos, stands 350 m asl on the northeast margin of the Prefecture of Attica, overlooking the plain spreading between the modern town of Kapandriti and the Marathon reservoir. Since 2005, the Department of Archaeology and Art History of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has been conducting excavations, with the participation of dozens of undergraduate and postgraduate students, including PhD candidates of the NKUA and the University of the Peloponnese. Interest in investigating Kotroni hill, due to is neuralgic location, was kindled in the nineteenth century, initially by the issue of whether or not it site should be identified with the ancient demos of Aphidna. The NKUA excavations have brought to light the long history of the fortified hill, which starts in the Bronze Age (2200-1100 BC) and continues until at least the fifth century BC. The open question of redefining ancient Aphidna was answered by the architectural remains and moveable finds brought to light in the present excavations. It is now confirmed that the settlement at Kotroni was the seat of a rural demos, far from Athens yet directly linked with the city. Kotroni hill, the hill-fort in a conspicuous position in the plain and controlling the thoroughfares is quite confidently identified with the important demos of ancient Aphidna. The heyday of Mycenaean times in the thirteenth century BC was followed by human presence during historical times, testifying to the importance of the hill. Research continues, in order to clarify the conclusions reached so far.
Image source: Excavation Archive of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens at Kotroni hill
