Ancient Layer Unearthed at Rodafnidia Site on Lesvos

09:18 28/10/2024 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

Archaeologists have uncovered the oldest layer of the Rodafnidia site near the Lisvori thermal springs on the Greek island of Lesvos.

The discovery, madeduring a six-week excavation concluding in October 2024, shedsfurther light on the earliest inhabitants of the Aegean

archipelago.

"This year'sexcavation brought us immense joy as we uncovered the lowest layer,which is associated with torrential rain and the materials it carrieddown to Rodafnidia," stated Ms. Nena Galanidou, Professor ofPrehistoric Archaeology at the University of Crete and head of theuniversity's long-term research program at the site.

"We expected tofind this layer much deeper, but a fissure brought it closer to thesurface. This allows us to investigate it more extensively in thecoming years. This layer is the oldest in the entire stratigraphicsequence of the Paleolithic site and contains the oldest findings."

Since 2012,excavations have revealed hundreds of Palaeolithic findings,including cutting tools, cores, and flakes, dating back between1,700,000 and 200,000 years. These artefacts belong to the Acheuleantechnological tradition, similar to those found in Central Anatoliaand Syro-Palestine.

The discovery ofthis ancient layer offers valuable insights into the Acheuleannomadic populations of Rodafnidia.

"These sitesare few and invaluable for historical knowledge," explained Ms.Galanidou. "Rodafnidia and its surroundings deserve protectionand should be designated as an archaeological site. Their promotionand inclusion in the network of prehistoric heritage would also boostthe economy of western Lesvos."

This year'sexcavation also included surface surveys that identified otherancient archaeological remnants in parts of the island with thermalsprings. This finding supports the understanding that the earliestinhabitants of Lesvos were nomadic hunter-gatherers who relied on theisland's resources.

The research teamcomprised undergraduate and postgraduate students, doctoralcandidates, and postdoctoral researchers from the University ofCrete, alongside archaeologists, geoscientists, and geoinformaticiansfrom Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, the United States, andChina.

"Together, theyparticipated in a significant 'archaeological celebration' with adual purpose: research and education," added Ms. Galanidou. "Therevelation and interpretation of the secrets of the Lesvos land areboth a local and global endeavour."

In a dedicatedarchaeological laboratory, the team utilized cutting-edgetechnologies to record, document, and study findings and sedimentsamples.

They employed 3Dscanning of stone tools, automated mapping of excavation sites, andmicromorphological analysis of sediments to gain a deeperunderstanding of the prehistoric environment and its inhabitants.

"We are workingwith cutting-edge technologies at Rodafnidia as part of acollaboration between the University of Crete and a team ofresearchers from Greek and international institutions,"emphasized Ms. Galanidou.

"This combinedfield and laboratory work allows us to uncover and interpret thefascinating history of this ancient site."

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