News

The second stage of the Egeoland Project (duration of 18 months) includes the study of the core samples taken in Lemnos (Work Package 1) in June 2020.

The three deep cores taken in Lemnos – one has reached 15m in depth – were transferred to the Laboratory of the Geology Department (AUTH) for opening and first inspection.

The content of the cores was split in two for the needs of the analysis which will be carried out both in Thessaloniki and the Wiener Lab of the American School at Athens (Cooperative Organization); these studies will be complementary to each other and according to the needs of the final synthesis of the data.

The treatment of the samples in the two laboratories (washing, drying, etc) – a particularly time-consuming stage of the work – has already started in October 2020 but unfortunately has suffered from serious drawbacks because of the pandemic situation, which has affected our initial planning; more specifically, it has put work restrictions in the Labs (number of people working together in a room, researchers moving as planned between the two laboratories in Thessaloniki and Athens, etc). Especially, the strict lockdown imposed in the town of Thessaloniki has delayed for two months the work planned in the Laboratory of the Geology Department. It is hoped that the situation will soon improve.

COMPLETION OF PROJECT PHASE A (Work Package 1)
14-23 JULY 2020

This crucial and important stage of borehole drilling in Lemnos was carried out in July and involved the use of a percussive machine on a motorized vehicle which travelled from Thessaloniki to the island. The actual fieldwork work was supervised by the geologists of AUTH and members of the research team Professors G. Syridis and O. Koukousioura. The drilling holes were opened in spots carefully chosen after the positive results of the geophysical study carried out by Professor P. Tsourlos of AUTH were completed. The recovered core samples were successful in terms of the overall depths reached and their content.

Following a strict geological protocol, the samples obtained were taken to the Department of Geology of AUTH for testing and the necessary evaluation as to their quality and promising results. Present in the process of the opening up of the core samples were, apart from the geologists G. Syridis and O. Koukousioura, the sedimentologist Dr. M. Gkouma and the anthracologist Professor M. Ntinou.

The preliminary assessment of the results was extremely positive, with the samples thought to be of high quality and promising for the presence of rich biomarkers regarding the palaeoenvironment, the geomorphological evolution of the area, chronology etc.
Moreover, the systematic sampling of sediments was carried out for a series of laboratory analysis by research members (magnetic measurements by Professor E. Aidona, palaeoenvironmental proxies by Professor M. Ntinou etc.) and for absolute chronology purposes. Drones were also used for producing topographical plans and reconstructing the relief of the area.

The main stage of fieldwork in Lemnos [Deliverable 1] was carried out in June 2020 and despite the difficult circumstances regarding the current pandemic (travelling to the island, accommodation etc). However, the excursion of the different research groups to the island was successful and the results reached very rewarding indeed.

More specifically, the following research groups and specialists travelled to Lemnos:

1. Geophysical research
2. Topographic work
3. Sampling of physical and archaeological deposits
4. Archaeological surveillance

The results of the geophysical work were rewarding and pinpointed the exact spots for the most promising drilling.Geological, micromorphological and OSL samples were collected from physical and archaeological deposits for further analysis [Deliverable 2].
The samples wete transferred to the Geological Department of AUTH and Wiener Lab of the American School at Athens.
The findings of the archaeological reconnaissance work were recorded and studied. No collection of archaeological material was carried out.
Τhe instruments bought for the need of the Programme (computers) were used and proved particularly helpful.
The following photos document the different actions taken during the fieldwork.

Ι. Geophysical investigation

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ΙΙ. Sampling of physical deposits

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ΙΙΙ. Sampling of physical and archaeological deposits for OSL analysis, magnetic measurements and micromorphology

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IV. Archaeological recordings

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V. Topographic work- Use of drone and aerial recordings

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VI. Electronic recording of data

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27-30 ΜΑΥ 2020

AIM: TO LOCATE THE MOST PROMISING BORING SPOTS IN THE FYSSINI PLAIN

Ν. Efstratiou, Archaeologist, Department of Archaeology, University of Thessaloniki, Principal Investigator

G. Syridis, Geologist, Department of Geology, University of Thessaloniki Τμήμα, team member

Ο. Koukousioura, Geologist, Department of Geology, University of Thessaloniki Τμήμα, team member

The long overdue first visit to Lemnos for reconnaissance purposes because of the pandemic restrictions for travelling to the islands was carried out between 27 and 30 May. The group of people (one archaeologist and two geologists) had the task to locate the optimum spots in the Fyssini plain for making to borings for the much needed geophysical investigation. The group travelled by plane, stayed in Moudros and rented a car for the needs of travelling around in places where there were no transport public services. In the short period of time available the team visited different places in the plain of Fyssini – an area between the coastal site of Ouriakos and the plain behind it – and succeeded in finding 4 locations which, according to their geophysical features, are the most promising spots for rich drilling results. Samples were collected for preliminary laboratory inspection. The idea was to find deposits which could provide materials which will allow palaeonvironmental indicators for the last 10.000 years to be collected and studied. Moreover, with the help of the local authorities the owners of the fields – all of them abandoned and not presently cultivated – where the drilling will be carried out, were found and their consent was secured. The Ephorate of Mytilene was notified for the exact drilling locations (gps readings) accordingly.

Our visit was successfully concluded on May 30rd.

Dr. N. Efstratiou

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