The Ancient Dam of the Mytikas Valley

Abstract

A well preserved ancient dam blocks a remma leading into the Mytikas Valley on the western coast of Akarnania. The structure is largely intact although it is now completely silted up. Ancient parallels are considered in defining its intended function, but are useless in providing a date for its construction since Greece is not an area which produced a developed technology for building dams. The cost of the original construction and its peculiar design and intended function indicate that the dam was probably built sometime between the mid-fourth and third centuries B. C. The design reflects a water management theory current at that time, which was also a booming period of prosperity for the valley's single polis, Alyzeia. A drought which occurred between 330 and 326 may have provided the impetus for the construction of the dam. Despite solid and lasting construction, the dam was apparently a failure because it quickly silted up. At some later date (perhaps during the seventh century A. C.), the structure was repaired and cleaned out but again quickly silted up and was thereafter abandoned permanently.