A Few Words about the Project

The research program Archaeological and Geophysical Research in the Peraia of Samothrace (for short Peraia of Samothrace Project – PSP) is held under the auspices of the Democritus University of Thrace in collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of Rhodope, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Evros and the Laboratory of Geophysical-Satellite Remote Sensing and Archaeo-environment, Foundation for Research and Technology (FORTH). It is funded by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI).

The goal of PSP is to explore the diachronic landuse from prehistory to modern, both urban and rural, coastal and inland, in relation to the complexities of the enviroment and natural resources of the area opposite the island of Samothrace. The region is known in literature as the Samothracian peraia or peraia of Samothrace. In particular, the project examines the ancient topography and promotes the archaeology of Aegean Thrace through the systematic survey of four (4) areas of interest (AOI) in the vicinity of Petrota, Rhodope Prefecture and Dikella, Evros Prefecture. The AOI extend along the coast and to inland areas of higher elevations, which have largely been excluded from archeological research, being overshadowed by major ancient cities like Maroneia and Zone.

The AOI are characterized by geomorphological variety and their exploration is expected to lead to manifold results. In our research, we will be implementing traditional archaeological methods (intensive surface survey, collection of diachronic artifacts) as well as modern methods of Geo-informatics and remote sensing.