Uncovering Roda

Volume 2, Issue 2

May 2009

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Front Page

UNCOVERING RODA’S HISTORY

Corfu had always been a strategic-ally placed island on the trade routes of the east-

experienced an unparalleled period of calm and developed into something of a holiday centre for wealthy Romans including emperors like Nero

remains of a 1.8 metre tall individual dating from the pre-Christian period. Lying

ern Mediterranean and, after decades of trials, conflicts and invasions, in 229 BC the

inhabitants sought the protection of Rome. For five centuries, Corfiots voluntarily became part of the Roman empire and were allowed to govern themselves as a free state in recognition of

the island’s naval importance. This unique situation caused Corfu to emerge as an even more significant centre for the

transportat-ion of goods, people, ideas and wealth. The Island enjoy-ed the privi-

and Augustus. An island

aristocracy emerged which in some ways accounts for the unique nature of the Corfiot people that we know today and the remains of mansions from this era can still be found at Benitses, Moraϊtika & along St George’s Bay in the region of Acharavi & Roda. Most people

will know that, as a result of this fascinating history, no house can be built in Corfu with-out prior in-spection of the site by an archaeological

expert. It is no surprise therefore, that remains from this era were found at several locations when work started on the new mains drainage scheme for Thinali. In Roda, one ossuary, or cist, was uncovered which contained the

alongside this coffin was a sec-ond ossuary, the top of which extended under-neath the wall of a

modern shop. The bottom half was empty leading experts to think that the

top half contained the remains of a child. This was left undisturbed and the excavation filled in. No doubt more interesting finds will

come to light as the work continues later this year, once the season has finished,

when more of the early history of Roda will slowly be revealed.

lege of being allowed its own laws and coinage.
During this period, which ended in 337 AD when the Roman empire split into two, the island