GREECE:An ancient Greek theatre accidentally discovered by construction workers in Athens is one of the classical world's most famous lost stages.
Builders stumbled last week across the 2,500-year-old amphitheatre of Acharnes, known from ancient writings to be an important arena for tragedies, comedies and musical contests.
"The discovery of the ancient theatre of Acharnes is an exceptional find," culture minister George Voulgarakis said after touring the site yesterday.
Archaeologists supervising the digging of foundations for a building in the area of Menidi - known in ancient times as Acharnes - discovered 13 rows of limestone seats which formed part of an open air theatre.
They have dated it to the 4th century BC, the golden age of ancient Greek drama when the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were performed before thousands of people.
Mr Voulgarakis said the discovery widened the archaeological map of Athens and indicated that more could be found in the area about 10km north of central Athens. Acharnes was known for its many charcoal peddlers whom Aristophanes mentions in his comedy The Acharnians.
The Acharnes theatre is one of seven in the Attica region surrounding Athens where the remnants survive. Another six are known to have existed.
"The theatre locates the centre of the ancient deme [ clan] of Acharnes which has been sought by Greek and foreign researchers since the last century," the ministry said in a statement.
The orchestra and stage are under a city street and other parts are under nearby building lots.
Mr Voulgarakis said the lot under construction would be expropriated so that a complete excavation could take place.
"Later on, in co-operation with the city council, we will proceed with the revelation of the wider monument so that we can have it whole," he said. - (Reuters)