The Early Christian Period: History of research
The many years of excavation research on Kos have brought to light a significant number of basilicas and abundant examples of sculpture, inscriptions, mosaic pavements and small finds -mainly pottery- from the Early Christian period.
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Particularly in the area of Halasarna - in the present-day village of Kardamaina- German excavations led by the archaeologist Rudolph Herzog in the early 20th century, who was searching for the ancient temple of Apollo, brought to light the Early Christian basilica of Hagia Theotita (Holy Divinity). It is a three-aisled basilica 60m long with a narthex, atrium and remarkable mosaics, as well as marble architectural members made from ancient materials. In particular, scattered marble architectural members have been found on the excavation site, such as imposts or mullions.
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Much later in 1992 Ersi Brouskari brought to light the remains of another basilica, that of Dorotheos, Eutychios and Presbyter Photeinos, according to the mosaic inscriptions, in the center of the present-day village of Kardamaina. The basilica has annexes, a baptistery with two baptismal fonts and mosaic pavements with geometric motifs.
At the same time, a recent field survey by the University of Athens raises new questions regarding the extent of the settlement of Halasarna in the Early Christian period, given that architectural remains appear along the shoreline northeast of Kardamaina, while many more have been found to the west of the village at the site Evraiokastro.
Finally, the systematic excavation conducted by the University of Athens since 1985 in the area Tsoukalaria or Kaminia in present-day Kardamaina, attests to a densely populated settlement founded on ancient ruins, which, in addition to houses, has a burial complex, as well as workshops and craft facilities.