Ancient theatre 'a rare find'

Athens: An ancient Greek theatre accidentally discovered by construction workers in Athens is one of the classical world's most famous lost stages.

Builders stumbled across the 2,500-year-old amphitheatre of Acharnes, known from ancient writings to be an important arena for tragedies, comedies and musical contests.

"The discovery of the ancient theatre of Acharnes is an exceptional find," Culture Minister George Voulgarakis told reporters after touring the site yesterday.

Archaeologists supervising the digging of foundations for a building in the area of Menidi - known in ancient times as Acharnes - discovered 13 rows of limestone seats which formed part of an open air theatre.

They have dated it to the 4th century BC, the golden age of ancient Greek drama when the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were performed before thousands of people.

Voulgarakis said the discovery widens the archaeological map of Athens and indicates more can be found in the area.