Ancient Kerameikos (Κεραμεικός), today a small residential area, was a notable suburban area of ancient Athens, located to the northwest of the Acropolis and Agora. The "Inner Kerameikos" was formerly known as the city's "potters' quarter", while the "Outer Kerameikos" encompasses the cemetery and the Dēmósion Sēma (the public graveyard) located just outside the Themistoclean city walls.
The area took its name from the city square or dēmos (δῆμος) of the Kerameis (Κεραμεῖς, potters), which in turn derived its name from the word κέραμος (kéramos, "pottery clay", from which the English word "ceramic" is derived).
circa 550 BCE
Archaeological Site
The Kerameikos Archaeological Site in Athens, Greece, is significant for its dual role as both a potters' quarter and a burial ground in ancient times. Located northwest of the Acropolis, it encompasses the Inner Kerameikos, known for its pottery workshops, and the Outer Kerameikos, which houses the Dēmósion Sēma, the city's public cemetery. This cemetery is notable for its elaborate funerary monuments, which provide insights into ancient Athenian burial practices and social customs. Excavations have revealed a wealth of artifacts, including pottery, inscriptions, and sculptures that reflect the artistic and cultural developments of ancient Athens. Key features of the site include remnants of the ancient city wall and the Stoa of the Sacred Way, leading to Eleusis. The Kerameikos area offers a valuable perspective on the interplay of daily life, art, and funerary customs in one of the most important city-states of ancient Greece.
circa 400-1500 CE
Church of the Holy Trinity
Situated on the north-western corner of the archaeological site, the ancient church was possibly built during the Byzantine period.
circa 1936 CE
Archaeological Museum
The Kerameikos Archaeological Museum, located adjacent to the Kerameikos Archaeological Site in Athens, houses a rich collection of artifacts that illuminate the history and culture of ancient Athens. Established in 1936, the museum primarily focuses on findings from the surrounding area, particularly from the notable cemetery known as the Dēmósion Sēma and the potters' quarter. The museum's collection includes an array of pottery, sculptures, and inscriptions, showcasing the artistic and cultural achievements of the Athenians from the Geometric period through the Roman era. Among its highlights are exquisite grave markers, votive offerings, and everyday items that provide insights into the daily life and funerary practices of ancient Athenians. In addition to its extensive exhibitions, the Kerameikos Archaeological Museum plays a crucial role in ongoing archaeological research and education, contributing to a deeper understanding of ancient Greek civilization.
The book describes the history of ancient Kerameikos in Athens, its monuments, and modern excavation activities.
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Greek Art and Aesthetics in the Fourth Century B.C. analyzes the broad character of art produced during this period, providing in-depth analysis of and commentary on many of its most notable examples of sculpture and painting. Taking into consideration developments in style and subject matter, and elucidating political, religious, and intellectual context.
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Published by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture - Archaeological Receipts Fund, Greece.
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The amphorae dating from the Submycenaean to the end of the Protogeometric period, brought to light in the Kerameikos cemetery, represent a high quality sample of Athenian output of the shape; this is due to their belonging to intact, archaeologically significant contexts.
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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