The excavated area
of Kerameikos incorporates a section of the 478 BC city wall and the ceremonial
entranceways into Athens from the cities of Eleusis to the west and Piraeus
to the south. The Panathenian Festival Procession would start from here
on its journey to the Acropolis, and the procession of the Eleusian Mysteries
would leave from here through the Sacred Gate and along the Sacred Way.
The most important building found here is the Pompeion, where procession
paraphernalia was stored and where those involved in major processions would
ready themselves.
Kerameikos was named for the potters who worked here within the city
walls (Inner Kerameikos), directly on the site of good clay deposits.
Their work was carried around the Greek empire and is now displayed in
museums worldwide, but they were not highly regarded by citizens in ancient
times. Outside the wall (Outer Kerameikos), was the major cemetery of
the city (it was forbidden to bury the dead within the city walls), with
burials dating from the 12th century BC. Major figures from Greek history,
including Pericles, were buried here and their funerary artefacts are
some of the most exquisite items found during excavations around the city.
A small museum has burial finds dating from 12th-6th century BC but you'll
see many more in the National Archaeological Museum.
For those whose artistic taste leans more towards post- industrial landscapes,
just a little way beyond Kerameikos, across Odos Pireos, is the old gas
works of Gazi, which has been converted into the Museum of Industrial
Architecture. It also hosts a regular program of art and photography exhibitions.
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