Projectdetails

The Zakynthos Archaeology Project 2006-2010 is a multidisciplinar programme of archaeological research with the aim to gain more insight in the archaeology of Zakynthos and to reconstruct landscape dynamics on the island. Zakynthos, the southernmost of the Ionian islands, is conveniently situated along maritime routes and its climate and geomorphology are very favourable for agriculture and animal husbandry. In spite of this prominent position, relatively little is known about the archaeology on the island. A pilot survey by the Netherlands Institute in Athens during 2005 clearly showed that archaeological remains are very fragmentary and that archaeological surface densities are extremely thin. Existing archaeological remains suggest that this scanty archaeological record is not due to the island being uninhabited in the past. Rather, the causes lie in the destructions caused by frequent earthquakes, by intensive agricultural practices since the Venetian occupation of the island and, recently, by building activities for tourism.

A better insight in the archaeology of Zakynthos and in the landscape dynamics on the island is of importance, firstly, for research into long-distance maritime contacts, notably with regard to the role of the Ionian islands in maritime networks of communications between the Italian area and the Aegean. Secondly, the Zakynthos project contributes to the development of archaeological methodologies to deal with areas that are marginal in terms of material remains and archaeological visibility. In addition, the results of the project will provide powerful tools for heritage management that can help the Greek Archaeological Service protect archaeological remains.

In order to achieve the research aims, five interrelated sets of approaches are proposed. Firstly, an extensive reconnaissance survey of known sites will be conducted that will provide a context for the project as a whole. Secondly, intensive archaeological survey will be carried out in three selected transects to reconstruct landscape dynamics in different geomorphological units. Thirdly, limited excavation will be conducted at a site with stratigraphical deposits to gain insight in ceramic sequences. Fourthly, aerial photographs and sattelite images will be analysed to support the archaeological survey. Finally, geomorphological research will be conducted to investigate erosion patterns and the formation of past and current landscapes on the island.