AN ATHENIAN AGORA

Archaeologists have uncovered ruins in Athens:

Archaeologists have discovered extensive remains of what is believed to be an ancient marketplace with shops and a religious center at the southern edge of Athens, the Culture Ministry said Friday. The finds, in the coastal neighborhood of Voula, date from the 4th or 5th century B.C.

"It is a very large complex," the ministry said. "It was a site of rich financial and religious activity, which was most probably a marketplace."

Marketplaces - or agoras - teemed with shops, open-air stalls and administrative buildings, and were the financial, political and social center of ancient Greek life.

Archaeologists believe the complex belonged to the municipality of Aexonides Halai, among the largest settlements surrounding ancient Athens.

Earlier, an ancient theater was uncovered as well:

Officials say an ancient theater has been discovered during construction of an apartment building in northwest Athens.

Culture Minister George Voulgarakis called the find a "a major discovery" and announced immediate expropriation of the site, the Athens News Service reported.

Fifteen marble stands were discovered during excavation at the site in Menidi last week. Officials say it appears the theater dates back to the fourth century B.C.

While antiquities experts say it is too soon to tell if it is the renowned ancient theater of Acharnes, there are "significant indications that it could be," the news service said.

I know I've said this before, but it's remarkable that things like these could remain uncovered in such a heavily settled area until now. One thing it means is that there is always more to find.