The excavations of 2009 undertaken in the ancient theatre of Apollonia, aimed to have a full understanding of the surroundings of the monument and its role within the urban area of the city. The soundings were located on the terrace above the theatre’s koilon, where, based on the previous geo-radar and geomagnetic investigations, several wall anomalies were identified.
Therefore, a series of habitation structures of the classical period were unearthed; they appear to have been demolished in the 3rd Century BC, to create an open space around the koilon and expand the theatre area. The excavations of this season revealed traces of the main entrance of the Hellenistic theatre, positioned at the centre of the auditorium, along with the supporting wall behind the seating rows, which delineates a wider area of the auditorium, differently from what had been assumed in the excavations of the 70’s of the last Century. Perhaps a portico existed in front of the scaena, to the west, as suggested by the discovery of the wall lines of its northern and western sides. In the most northern point of the excavation area, very close to the theatre, traces of the insulae of the habitation quarter were uncovered. While in the west (the area behind the koilon), remains of the urban road network were noted, suggesting a wider expansion of the open area at this side.
The results of this season confirmed that the ancient theatre was located at the joining point of the roads coming from the upper (agora) and lower quarters, and at the same time, marking the division line between the insulae quarters of the city of Apollonia.