11/02/2008
THE TZOUMERKA REGION/ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND MONUMENTS

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ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES:

The sharp outline and awkwardness of the Tzoumerka area give the impression of a hard to access, hostile area that is unsuitable to humans. Despite this, the area was inhabited very early on. Surface ruins from the Copper Age, abandoned acropoli and hellenistic fortresses are proof of this. Archaeological digs have been carried out over a minimal area, compared to the number of archaeological sites. The areas which are archaeologically interesting are not yet organized and lie in hard to access, remote areas, most of which are very trying to the patience of explorers. Being accompanied by a local person facilitates and often renders the tour more pleasant. The people here are excellent story tellers and a never ending source of all types of information.

- Kalarites:
An hours walk due NE from the settlement leads to the Avaton location (on a precipitous slope on the side of the Karlimbos River), where the remains of a walled city can be seen. Its cemetery with its box shaped tombs and the small oval reservoir show that there were once active, permanent inhabitants here. It is said that this was where the ancient city of the Athamans of Epirus, Akanthaios, was situated.

- Petrovouni:
Tombs with ceramic utensils and coins have been found.

- Pramanta:
West of the settlement, at Aghia Panagia, there is a wide expanse of small remains of an ancient wall with visible foundations composed of rectangular towers of the hellenistic period.
A pin from the Copper Age which is on exhibit at the archaeological museum of Ioannina, such as those used to fasten the heavy woolen capes of shepherds, proves that the area was inhabited in antiquity.

- Chouliarades:
An ancient fortress of the Macedonian period according to Hammond.
Tombs coated with limestone have also been found.