Honor Frost Foundation
Salamis Harbour Project
Report for 2016
In November-December 2016 an underwater survey,1 as part of a three-year
collaborative project between the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities (E.U.A.) of the
Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Hellenic Institute of Marine
Archaeology (H.I.M.A.), was conducted off the eastern coast of Salamis in the
Saronic Gulf (namely in the area of Ambelaki-Kynosoura) under the direction of Dr.
Angeliki Simossi, Head of the Ephorate, and Yannos G. Lolos, Professor of
Archaeology at the University of Ioannina and President of the Institute, with the
involvement of the Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography of the
University of Patras under Professor George Papatheodorou, and with substantial
financial support from the Honor Frost Foundation.
It should be noted that this is the first systematic underwater reconnaissance to be
initiated by Greek institutions (with the participation of a 24 member team, see
attached List of Participants) in a heavily polluted marine environment (and sea-bed),
yet in a crucial area of historical importance.
With regard to the history of marine research in the Straits of Salamis, it should be
remembered that a pioneering underwater investigation was carried out in the Winter
of 1884 in the area between Kynosoura-Psyttaleia-Keratsini, under the direction of
Christos Tsountas, with the involvement of traditional divers (see Y. G. Lolos, in
Enalia, Vol. VII, 2003, 13-27).
Both the house and the storeroom of the University of Ioannina Salamis Excavations
at Selinia were put at the service of the Salamis Harbour Project late in 2016 and early
in 2017. A zodiac-type boat, 4.20 m. long, owned by Mr. Christos Agouridis has
covered the needs of the archaeological and geophysical research in the Bay of
Ambelaki.
Before the inception of the main project, quantities of salt-water were taken from the
north side of the inner Bay and were analyzed at the Laboratory of Analytical
Chemistry of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Ioannina, under the
care of Alternate Rector, Professor Triantafyllos Albanis . Also, at the opening of the
2016 campaign all three shores (north, west and south) of the inner Bay were cleaned
from seasonal “plastic” litter, for the smooth development of research work.
1
The main period of underwater research (on the basis of a permit by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and
Sports, dated 22.8.2016) in the area of Ambelaki-Kynosoura had a duration of 4 weeks, 5 Nov.-5 Dec. 2016, but
successive visits to specific places in the area for supplementary fieldwork and study were made by members of
the team, both before and especially after the main campaign, with an aim, among others, to survey a long
stretch of the fortification wall of the Classical town of Salamis, running on the western part of the peninsula of
Kynosoura and apparently protecting the town and its harbour from the south. This is, no doubt, a crucial
element for the study of the wider topography of the harbour of Salamis.
!1
Honor Frost Foundation
Within the context of the 2016 Salamis harbour Project, an intensive 3-day seminar
(12-14/11/2016), comprising lectures and on-site lessons in Salamis, on
Geoarchaeology and the methodology and techniques of land and underwater
excavation, organized at the base of the team, with the participation of 21
Archaeology students from the University of Ioannina.2
The main focus of the 2016 research was the inner (western) part of the Bay of
Ambelaki, formed by the peninsulas of Pounta and Kynosoura. This is the
commercial and military harbour of the Classical and Hellenistic town or demos of
Salamis and certainly the closest and most vital harbour of the city-state of Athens,
after those of Piraeus (Kantharos, Zea and Mounichia). It is also the gathering place
of the united Greek fleet on the eve of the great sea-battle of 480 B.C., found in close
proximity to well-known monuments to the naval success: the polyandreion or burial
mound of the victors and the tropaion (trophy), on the long peninsula of Kynosoura
(see I.G. II2, 1035, lines 33-34). References to the ancient port of Salamis occur in the
works of the geographer Scylax (of the 4th cent. B.C.), the geographer Strabo (of the
1st cent. B.C.-1st cent. A.D.) and the traveller Pausanias (of the 2nd cent. A.D.).
Occasional mention of the antiquities in the harbour of Salamis, at Ambelaki, is found
in works by several travellers, historians and archaeologists of the 19th and 20th
centuries, while some of the submerged ancient remains in the Bay are marked, in a
rudimentary manner, on old maps by: W. M. Leake (1841), H. G. Lolling (1884),
German military cartographers (1889/1891), E. Curtius and J. A. Kaupert (1895) and
M. Matthaiopoulos and A. Chrysanthis (1916).
One of the main results of the 2016 underwater survey was the identification/
documentation of submerged ancient remains on all three sides (north, west and
south) of the Bay of Ambelaki. These are invariably found above or under water,
according to the change of the sea-level, the fall of which, especially in the month of
February, reaches its lowest, i.e. about half a metre(!). As a result, several submerged
remains are visible only at certain times of the year at low tides.
The ancient architectural remains, which have been identified on the shore and in
shallow waters, in the inner Bay, comprise portuary installations, fortification works
and various other structures. By employing a combination of methods and techniques
(aerial photography with a drone, photogrammetry, topographical and architectural
documentation), the first underwater archaeological map of the area, with all visible
elements, has now been constructed, which will be used as basis for further
investigation in the historic Bay (see attached topographical plans, architectural
drawings and aerial photographs).
2 As
training, within the course “Excavation Methodology”, taught by Dr. Christina Marabea, at the Department
of History and Archaeology of the University of Ioannina.
!2
Honor Frost Foundation
An essential part of the 2016 survey off Salamis was the geophysical research, carried
out by a team from the University of Patras, and using a side scan sonar, a marine
magnetometer and a special device with an attached underwater camera. The main
aims of this investigation were: the identification of elements of archaeological
interest on the sea-bottom and also the determination of the coast-line in the Bay in
the Classical period. The high quality digital data collected during the geophysical
survey will be of great value for the reconstruction of the coastal palaeogeography of
the area .
Of great interest is an “enclosed” or protected area (partly a marsh), with special
functions, in the northwest part of the Bay of Ambelaki. It is defined, on the south, by
an impressive long wall (or jetty) extending to ca. 160 m. and ending in a strong wellbuilt round tower, with a diameter of 7 m. (and preserved in two courses in its northnorthwest arc), of a type well-known from other fortified harbours, e.g. at Thasos,
Halieis (Porto Cheli) and Phalasarna; while, on the east, this special area is bordered
by a modern “uplifted” mole, 48 m. long in a N.-S. axis (just in front of the old
Kriezis House), carelessly built (already since the end of the 19th century) with
ancient building material (dressed blocks and other large stones), and possibly lying,
partly at least, on ancient foundation. Three (3) of these blocks preserve a periteneia
at one edge, while at the south end of the mole, a large pierced stone (0.90 x 0.90 m.),
though not in its original position, may represent a mooring stone.
Immediately west of the modern mole, at a distance of 2.30-2.50 m., surface clearing
of the blackish mud has revealed a continuous row of 14-15 large ashlar-blocks,
running for ca. 12 m. in a N.-S. axis, and very probably belonging to the foundation
course of a strong well-built structure, of public character. Selective tests have
showed that the thickness of two (2) of the ashlar blocks reaches 0.50 m.
Below are the dimensions in meters of the first eight (8) blocks (starting from south):
1. 1.10 (E.-W.) x 0.50 (N.-S.).
2. 1.30 (E.-W.) x 0,82 (N.-S.), with a square knob on its east face.
3. 1.30 (E.-W.) x 0.78 (N.-S.).
4. 1.43 (E.-W.) x 0.75 (N.-S.).
5. 1.35 (E.-W.) x 0,77 (N.-S.).
6. 0.75 (E.-W.) x 1.30 (N.-S.).
7. 0.40 (E.-W.) x 0.60 (N.-S.).
8. 1.35 (E.-W.) x 0.55 (N.-S.).
A little further to the east, at short distances (0.80-1.10 m.) from the above mentioned
modern mole, a “dashed” row of large oblong blocks (with a flattish upper surface
!3
Honor Frost Foundation
and a thickness of 0.30 m.), stretching to ca. 19 m., in a N.-S. axis, may be claimed to
be the foundation course of an ancient port construction (a pier/mole?).
In the same (north/northwest) area, at some distance to the west of the modern mole, a
large submerged building (or structure) of oblong shape, in a N.-S. axis, and of
unknown character, measuring 21 x 9.20 m., has been surveyed.
On the west side of the inner Bay, at a distance of 28 m. to the south of the
“beginning” of the long wall on the present-day shore-line, lies a strong square tower
(7.70 x 7.70 m.), built with large blocks (among them, one with a length of 2 m. at its
southwest corner), and probably belonging to a fortification system originally related
to the long wall.
On the south side of the inner bay, the submerged remains, documented in the course
of the 2016 survey, include (as seen from west to east): A pier or breakwater of
rubble, with a width of 3.70 m., running for 39 m.; a mole, parallel to a modern mole,
with a length of 40 m., in a N.-S. axis; also a wall, ca. 30 m. long, and parallel to the
present-day coast line, with an attached square tower-like structure (6 x 6 m.), at a
point where the Ayia Trias road meets the coastal road, Akti Themistokleous.
Finally, within the context of the 2016 survey, a large quantity of diagnostic surface
finds was collected, in nine (9) sectors, on the north and west side of the Bay of
Ambelaki (see attached Catalogue of Finds, in Greek). The surface collection has
yielded numerous sherds from commercial jars and other vases of various periods, a
bronze coin of Corinth (of the 4th cent. B.C.) and some small objects (2 clay lids, a
complete clay loom-weight and a small fragment of a clay loom-weight). The largest
proportion of the surface potsherds (including many fragments of plain and blackglazed pots) can be securely dated to the Classical and Hellenistic periods, apparently
associated with the function of the main installations of the harbour of Salamis during
the flourishing phases of Athenian history.
Among the ceramic material collected in 2016, the pottery dating from Late Roman/
Early Byzantine times (and chiefly consisting of fragments of closed shapes with
combed decoration) can be associated with a settlement of those times, parts of which
have been revealed from rescue excavations by the Greek Archaeological Service in
the coastal zone, on the west and north side of the Bay of Ambelaki.
Epilogue
The most important aspect of the 2016 survey was the documentation of portuary
installations and other structures of both commercial and military character, and
dating from Classical and Hellenistic times, on all three sides of the inner Bay of
Ambelaki.
!4
Honor Frost Foundation
The fortified northwestern part of the Bay, defined by the long wall and signalled by
the two towers, at its limits, is the prime evidence for the identification of that
“restricted area” as the main military zone of the harbour of Salamis, certainly an
Athenian territory in Classical times.
This new evidence, seen within the wider topography of the Straits, and supplemented
by the information from ancient historical and literary sources, leaves no doubt about
the crucial function of the Bay as the launching point of the Greek fleet (of over 300
triremes) against the invading Persian armada in 480 B.C.
We are fairly hopeful that future underwater discoveries in the course of our survey in
the wider area of Ambelaki will comprise finds, of all kinds, which may prove to have
a close association with major events of Athenian history of the 5th century B.C., or
perhaps finds related to monuments to the epic sea-battle on neighbouring land.
Yannos G. Lolos
Dissemination of the Salamis Harbour Project in:
-
www.yppo.gr (press release, 16 March 2017).
-
Greek Reporter.com
-
Archaeology Magazine.
-
LiveScience (Rossella Lorenzi).
-
Smithsonian.com.
-
Y. G. Lolos, “Underwater research in the harbour of the Battle of Salamis”,
Antike Welt, May 2017 (in press).
Salamis Harbour Project 2016
H.I.M.A. Research Team
List of Participants
Directors:
-
Ioannis (Yannos) G. Lolos, Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology, Director of
the Unit of Archaeology and Art History, University of Ioannina, President of
H.I.M.A.
-
Dr. Angeliki Simossi, Head of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities,
Ministry of Culture and Sports.
!5
Honor Frost Foundation
Assistant Director: Elias, Spondylis, Archaeologist, Honorary Director of Underwater
Antiquities, Ministry of Culture and Sports, Vice-president of H.I.M.A.
-
Christos Agouridis, Archaeologist (M.A.), Ephorate of Palaeoanthropology
and Speleology, Ministry of Culture and Sports, General Secretary of
H.I.M.A.
-
Myrto Michalis, Archaeologist (M.A.), Member of the Board of Directors of
H.I.M.A.
-
Xanthie Argyris, Archaeologist (M.A.), Member of the Board of Directors of
H.I.M.A.
-
Christina Marabea, Archaeologist (Ph.D.), University of Ioannina Excavations
in Salamis, Member of H.I.M.A.
-
Panayiotis Georgopoulos, Archaeologist (M.A.), Ephorate of Underwater
Antiquities.
-
Semiramis Sofra, Archaeologist.
-
Demetrios Syrmalis, Student of Archaeology, University of Ioannina.
-
Nikolaos Golfis, Professional diver, Technical manager of the underwater
research, Member of H.I.M.A.
-
Markos Garras, Physicist (M.Sc.), Member of H.I.M.A.
-
Foteini Vlachaki, Architect-Restorer (Postgraduate diploma), Member of the
Board of Directors of H.I.M.A.
-
Eleni Diamanti, Survey Enginner-Photogrammetrist, Member of H.I.M.A.
-
Demetrios Ayianozoglou, Architect.
-
Anna Notia, Philologist-Classicist.
-
Chrysothemis Stamatopoulou, Philologist.
-
Vassileios Mentoyiannis, Professional photographer, Member of H.I.M.A.
-
Nikolaos Gavriil, Professional photographer.
-
Xhevdet Ajazi, worker.
-
Aldorando Mustafa, worker.
-
George Papatheodorou, Professor of Marine Geology, University of Patras,
and colleagues:
!6
Honor Frost Foundation
- Maria Geraga, Associate Professor of Marine Geology, University of
Patras.
- Demetrios Christodoulou, Marine Geologist, M.Sc., Ph.D.
- Nikolaos Georgiou, Marine Geologist, Ph.D. Candidate.
- Xenophon Demas, Marine Geologist, Ph.D. Candiate.
!7
Honor Frost Foundation
!8
Honor Frost Foundation
Selected figures
Salamis, Ambelaki. Clearing works on the north side of the inner Bay.
!9
Honor Frost Foundation
!
Salamis, Ambelaki. Long wall in the northwest part of the Bay.
Salamis, Ambelaki. Round tower at the end of the long wall.
!10