Prehistoric settlement of Poliochne on Lemnos: Restoration, conservation and enhancement of the archaeological site

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1 MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND SPORTS GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF ANTIQUITIES & CULTURAL HERITAGE EPHORATE OF ANTIQUITIES OF LESΒOS Prehistoric settlement of Poliochne on Lemnos: Restoration, conservation and enhancement of the archaeological site MYTILENE 2017

2 Poliochne is the most important fortified settlement on the island of Lemnos and in the wider NE Aegean region with a key role in metal circulation and sea route trade from Hellespontus and the western coasts of Asia Minor to the Aegean. Oblivion and abandonment in the course of time are obvious at the archaeological site, which nowadays lies in ruins. As it is absolutely imperative for the State to protect, restore and enhance the oldest city in Europe, a major, multidimensional and ambitious project is funded by the Operational Programme of the North Aegean Region (NSRF ) and implemented by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Lesbos. By the time that this major enhancement project concerning one of the most important archaeological sites on the remote island of Lemnos is completed, architectural remains will be protected and preserved, facilities will be ameliorated and visitors will experience high quality services and benefit from information in conventional and digital form. In that way, Poliochne shall regain part of its former glamor and fame. Two-handled drinking vessel (depas amphikypellon). Poliochne, yellow period (circa BC). Archaeological Museum of Lemnos. Dr Pavlos Triantafyllidis Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Lesbos. Cover photo: Golden pin and earrings from the hoard in room 643 of Poliochne. Yellow period (circa BC). National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Coordination- Editing: Dr Pavlos Triantafyllidis Text: Dr Kokona Rouggou, Evanggelia Lemnaiou Text translation: Georgia Tampakopoulou Layout: Mary Kokkinoforou YP.PO.A. - EFA LESBOU

3 Prehistoric settlement of Poliochne on Lemnos: Restoration, conservation and enhancement of the archaeological site The archaeological site of Poliochne lies on the eastern side of Lemnos, close to the modern Kaminia village, surrounded by a virgin landscape which is mainly composed of low hillsides and sparse vegetation. In this location, on the plateau of a low coastal hill that stretches in front of Vroskopos Gulf and flanked by two small streams, a prehistoric settlement dating back to the 3rd millennium BC and of major importance to the Aegean world, was excavated during the past century. History of the archaeological research The excavation of the prehistoric settlement began in the 1930s and was conducted by the Italian Archaeological School at Athens directed by Alessandro Della Seta. During the following years, the remains unearthed were exposed to weathering conditions and therefore suffered great damage. In the 1950s, the Italian Archaeological School at Athens returned to the site in order to continue the excavation and restore the damage caused to the monument during World War II. Luigi Bernabo Brea supervised the research and published the Poliochne s excavation results in an exemplary way. After a long time, in the early 1990s, archaeological research and conservation operations restarted by the 20th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities and the Italian Archaeological School at Athens. It was then, that the infrastructure was created for Poliochne to become an organized archaeological site. Aerial photo of Poliochne archaeological site. 4 5

4 The prehistoric settlement of Poliochne According to the archaeological data, the prehistoric settlement of Poliochne was founded in the transition from the 4th to the 3rd millennium BC. It went through the 3rd millennium uninterrupted, shortly before the end of which the settlement seems to have been abandoned. Sparse remains dated back to the 2nd millennium BC indicate a limited reoccupation on the hill. The Italian excavators indicated each successive building phase in a different color: black ( BC), blue ( BC), green ( BC) red ( BC), yellow ( BC) and brown ( BC). Late Bronze Age artifacts that have been sporadically accumulated in the settlement indicate the site occupation until circa 1200 BC. Poliochne was founded on the coastline right across the fertile Troad coast and the Dardanelles. The key geographic location of the settlement, in the center 1934: IASA research group and workers in front of Poliochne walls during the excavation. of the Northeastern Aegean Sea, towards the passage to Hellespontus and Troas, as well as to the Thracian coasts, facilitated control of trade roads. Its material culture bears similarities to prehistoric settlements developed along the NE Aegean and Asia Minor region during the same era, composing thus the prehistoric cultural environment of the region, the so-called Troadic. On the dawn of the 3rd millennium BC, Poliochne already presents some early urban center features: a monumental retaining wall is constructed to encircle the exposed south and SW side of the hill and therefore guarantee the safe settlement extension towards this side. At the same time, on the southeastern side two spacious buildings were erected, probably of public use: the Granary and the Vouleutirion. The first is an impressively large, maybe two-storey building, which the excavators considered to have been used to store 6 7

5 the communal agricultural surplus. The second one is an elongated building with benches along both its long sides, which was identified as a gathering area. Consequently, Poliochne was considered to be the earliest city of Europe at an early time. The settlement, following an urban plan, gradually expanded on the hillside; building blocks, main streets and alleys, stone paved squares and wells were established. It is evident that we are dealing with a wealthy settlement, bearing early urban center features, urban planning and utility structures, hence a central authority was required. Finds, as moulds for metal objects and spindle whorls, indicate both household and craft activities, whereas pithoi (large storage jars) are associated with agricultural surplus storage. Poliochne s location ensured sufficient agricultural and livestock products, as well as sea food for its inhabitants. The project for restoration, conservation and enhancement of the Prehistoric settlement of Poliochne (NSRF ) The Ephorate of Antiquities of Lesbos recently managed to include the Restoration, conservation and enhancement of Poliochne Lemnos archaeological site project within the NSRF , in order to protect the monument from deterioration and to stress out its special archaeological value for Lemnos and NE Aegean. In September of 2016, a major project was launched by a large group of people, specialized in several fields. Workers specialized in restoration, archaeologists, architects, civil engineers, land surveyors and conservators are working with dedication to accomplish the project. Building block VII-SE part, before the beginning of the project. Building block VII-SE part, after cleaning and minor scale excavation. 8 9

6 Aerial photo of Poliochne archaeological site

7 In the field, many tasks are carried out simultaneously: clearing operations, excavation, photographic and topographic documentation, conservation, restoration and rebuilding of the damaged remains of the settlement. In addition, renovation of the archaeological site infrastructure is planned to be implemented (new metal fence, drainage system, new visiting paths and modern facilities for visitors adapted to disabled people, as well). Furthermore, the visitors will obtain information through printed and digital material (booklets, Braille booklets, information signs, special touch screens for persons with disabilities, interactive applications) in the archaeological site. Hopefully, by the end of the project, the image of one of the most important and oldest cities in Europe will be restored. Enclosure. Part 36-37, before the beginning of the project. Enclosure. Part 36-37, after cleaning : Filling with mortar the remains at Poliochne

8 Project Coordinator Dr Pavlos Triantafyllidis Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Lesbos Supervisors Dr Kokona Rouggou, Evanggelia Lemnaiou, Archaeologists Despoina Pitsiou, Conservator of Antiquities Helene Stephanou, Architect Administrative support Anggeliki Georganta, Panagiotis Fanartzis, Despoina Kontara, Administrative staff Fieldwork group Georgia Tampakopoulou, Yannis Soukantos, Archaeologists Sophia Sphetkou, Architect Natassa Pititzogia, Civil Engineer Katerina Metropoulou Rural & Surveying Engineer Demetres Chrones, Christos Papachristos, Conservators of Antiquities Photogrammetric survey of Poliochne Lemnos archaeological site. National Technical University of Athens. School of Rural and Surveying Engineering. Labor and Technical staff Alekos Giannopoulos, Vassilis Zolotas, Chryssa Emmanouelidou, Panayiotis Kavaleros, Christos Keramides, Spyros Oikonomou, Stelios Pouliagos, Gregores Stragas, Nikos Stragas Tassos Tsalikes, Sevaste Tsampere, Kostas Tsiphlas, Panayiotis Tsoukalas, Chryssa Chatzisavva, Christos Volares

9 Golden earrings from the hoard in room 643 at Poliochne. Yellow period (circa BC). National Archaeological Museum of Athens.