Just a few meters beneath pedestrians walking along Evripidou Street in the center of Athens, traces of another era have come to light.
During ongoing renovation works aimed at upgrading the street, workers unexpectedly discovered an ancient mosaic beneath the roadway. The find covers a relatively large surface area and, despite the passage of time, several parts of it remain remarkably well preserved.
Strong Interest from Passersby
The discovery has sparked significant interest among the public.
Many people stop at the site — located between the pedestrian section of Aiolou Street and Athinas Street — trying to catch a glimpse of the archaeological find. The mosaic has been covered with a special white protective sheet, while the area has been fenced off with temporary barriers.
Employees of nearby shops appear to be well informed about the restoration work, noting that cleaning of the mosaic was completed in recent hours and that authorities are now expected to schedule its transfer.
“Maybe we should lend a hand,” one shop owner joked, while also hinting at frustration over the extended duration of the construction site, which began before the celebration of Tsiknopempti on February 12.
At the same time, it remains striking that even today, in areas located within the historic center of Athens, pieces of the city’s ancient past continue to emerge.
No matter which paving stone is lifted, centuries of history still lie hidden underneath.
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