Publications
Archaeological fieldwork and research in Roman Macedonia: 2014–2024
Recent archaeological research in Roman-period Macedonia (2014–2024) has revealed a dynamic and interconnected landscape, challenging traditional models of rural habitation. Large-scale infrastructure projects, such as Thessaloniki’s Metro and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, exposed dense settlement patterns, sophisticated urban grids, monumental public architecture, and diverse burial grounds, highlighting the city's evolution from Hellenistic to Late Antiquity periods. Rural investigations uncovered small cemeteries, artisanal workshops, agricultural estates, and infrastructure, emphasizing continuous rural habitation, intensified agricultural activity, and advanced land management strategies. Interdisciplinary approaches, including geoarchaeology and bioarchaeology, further illuminated socio-economic networks and daily life in both urban and rural communities.
Molecular Characterization and Ex Situ Conservation of Wild Grapevines Grown in the Area Around the Neolithic Settlement of Dikili Tash, Greece
A recent archaeological excavation at the Neolithic settlement of Dikili Tash, near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Philippi in Greece, has uncovered charred grapevine pips and pressings dating back to 4300 BC. The majority of these pips were identified as Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris, a wild grapevine species that still thrives in the surrounding valley, Mt Pangaion, and Mt Lekani. Microsatellite analysis of 51 modern samples revealed their genetic relationships, providing insights into the historical distribution and conservation potential of this ancient species. Cuttings from these vines are now being cultivated ex situ at ELGO-DIMITRA's greenhouse facilities in Athens, aiming to establish Greece's first V. sylvestris conservation site. This research bridges archaeology and genetics, offering a window into Neolithic agricultural practices while advancing efforts to preserve wild grapevine biodiversity.
Digital Heritage Narrative: Principles and Practice. The Case of the UNESCO-Listed Archaeological Site of Philippi, Greece
A novel digital storytelling approach has been successfully applied to the UNESCO-listed Archaeological Site of Philippi, Greece, demonstrating its potential to elicit cognitive-emotional experiences and communicate cultural values effectively. The study introduces a multimedia eBook, 'Birthplace of the Empire,' which leverages socio-historical content, unexpected art momentum, and cognitive load management to create an engaging digital artwork. This approach inspires critical thinking and participatory practices among audiences, fostering a deeper connection with the site's multicultural and multigenerational significance. The research is part of the EU-funded project BSB/831/HERiPRENEURSHIP, aiming to upgrade heritage-based offers and create new investment opportunities in tourism and cultural industries.
Rock-Cut Monuments at Macedonian Philippi – Taking Image Analysis to the Religioscape
A groundbreaking study at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Philippi introduces a novel approach to analyzing rock-cut monuments, revealing their significant role within the city's religious landscape. By leveraging 3D modeling and spatial analysis, researchers have documented over 100 reliefs, predominantly featuring Artemis/Diana, providing unprecedented insights into their distribution, inter-visibility, and reachability. This method offers a more comprehensive understanding of the monuments' context and their potential for female ritual practices in ancient Macedon. The study also highlights the vulnerability of these archaeological sites to natural corrosion and vandalism, underscoring the importance of digital documentation for preservation and future research.
Assessment of Potentially Toxic Element Contamination in the Philippi Peatland, Eastern Macedonia, Greece
Researchers found that the Philippi peatland, one of the deepest in the world and a significant ecological site, exhibits low to moderate contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) like selenium (Se), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). While most PTEs showed minimal environmental risk, Se and Pb were notably higher in certain areas, indicating localized heavy contamination. The study analyzed 16 sites using soil and corn grain samples, revealing high bioaccumulation factors for Cu, Zn, and Se, suggesting these elements are more mobile and readily absorbed by plants. Soil conditions were neutral to slightly alkaline, with organic matter ranging from 93 to 557 g/kg. These findings highlight the need for targeted monitoring of PTEs in this UNESCO-listed site to mitigate potential ecological risks.
The Contribution of Information Technologies to the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage Monuments "The Case of Ancient Philippi, Greece"
A novel methodology, INBO (IN-DEX + BOOKLET), integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual and Augmented Reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT) has been developed to enhance the protection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This approach aims to improve real-time monitoring and emergency response for cultural heritage monuments, enabling timely and informed decision-making to prevent damage from natural or man-made hazards. The Ancient City of Philippi in Northern Greece serves as a pilot study for this methodology, demonstrating its potential effectiveness in safeguarding vulnerable heritage sites.
Joint Interpretation of Various Geophysical Data by Means of Image Fusion in Philippi in Northern Greece
A novel approach to integrating geophysical data at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Philippi, Northern Greece, demonstrates that combining resistance and magnetic mapping with electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and aerial photography enhances the interpretation of subsurface features. The study employed curvelet transform-based image fusion to merge data from multiple methods, resulting in a comprehensive image that provides more useful information than individual techniques alone. This method offers archaeologists a powerful tool for non-invasive exploration and preservation efforts at complex sites like Philippi.
Reconstructing the Religious Landscape of the Roman Colony of Philippi
The religious landscape of the Roman Colony of Philippi, established after the Battle of Philippi in 42 BCE, underwent significant evolution from Augustus to Paul and beyond. A key finding is that colonial authorities prioritized a Roman or Greco-Roman pantheon for the urban center, marginalizing Greek, Thracian, or foreign cults to the outskirts or countryside. Initially, this spatial distribution reflected social and ethnic divisions, but over time, interactions among different groups led to diminishing distinctions and the emergence of complex, hybrid identities. The study reconstructs this dynamic process by analyzing the spatial organization of cults, revealing how religious practices adapted to changing social structures.
Terra a mano: The Handmade Pottery of Philippi and Its Implications for the Transformation of the City during the Early Byzantine Period
Handmade pottery from Philippi reveals significant insights into the city's economic and social transformation during the 7th and 8th centuries, a period marked by the transition to Early Byzantine rule. The study proposes a typochronology for this ware, examining its production and technology, which highlights shifts in consumption models. By analyzing handmade pottery from various sites, researchers uncover evidence of changing economic dynamics and social structures, offering a nuanced understanding of Philippi's evolution during this pivotal era.
Archaeology and the Letters of Paul by laura salah nasrallah
Laura Salah Nasrallah's 'Archaeology and the Letters of Paul' bridges biblical scholarship with archaeological data to illuminate the social contexts of Pauline letters. By focusing on cities linked to key texts (Thessalonica, Corinth, Philippi, Rome), the study reveals how material culture—inscriptions, topography, and domestic spaces—shapes interpretations of themes like slavery, travel, and grief. While not a comprehensive archaeological survey, it argues for archaeology's critical role in New Testament studies, though its engagement with data remains primarily inscriptional. Notably, it highlights Philippi's poverty-abundance dynamics and Rome's fascist-era ruins, offering nuanced perspectives on Paul's world.
Martyria
Early Christian martyr shrines, known as martyria, emerged as significant cultic centers, but their archaeological study is hampered by limited pre-fourth-century evidence. This research bridges the gap between textual and archaeological records, revealing that while early descriptions from Smyrna and Rome provide insight into primitive practices, later fourth-century sites in Rome and Philippi show the expansion of martyria as focal points for Christian worship. The study highlights a caveat: smaller or private shrines may remain invisible to archaeology, suggesting a broader but underdocumented phenomenon.
Philippi: How Christianity Began in Europe By EduardVerhoef. London: Bloomsbury, 2013. Pp. xii+114. Paper, $29.95.
Archaeological research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Philippi, combined with historical analysis, reveals key insights into the early development and social structure of Christianity in Europe. Eduard Verhoef's work highlights that the first-century Philippian church was likely composed of working-class individuals, including Lydia, who may have owned a spacious home serving as a gathering place for believers. By integrating field visits to archaeological sites with regional inscriptions and artifacts, Verhoef estimates that Philippi had around 10,000 inhabitants during this period, providing a vivid context for understanding Paul's letter to the Philippians and Acts of the Apostles. The study underscores how archaeological evidence can bring ancient texts to life, offering a tangible glimpse into the early Christian community's size and social dynamics.
Strategic Participatory Planning in Archaeological Management in Greece: The Philippi Management Plan for Nomination to UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Strategic participatory planning in archaeological heritage management can significantly enhance the effectiveness of management plans, such as those for UNESCO World Heritage Site nominations. A case study from Philippi, Greece, reveals that conventional approaches often treat the management plan as an endpoint rather than a continuous process. The research identifies constraints and benefits of participatory planning, arguing for more critical evaluations to improve this approach in Greece and globally. This paper advocates for deeper analysis of the planning process itself to foster long-term improvements.
Chapter 20. Philippi
The archaeological site of Philippi reveals a significant cultural continuity between the Hellenistic and Roman periods, with no traces found of Thasian colonial structures built between 360-356 BC. Leon Heuzey's 1860 expedition marked its first systematic investigation, uncovering evidence that Augustus' Colonia Iulia Augusta Philippensis maintained urban organization aligned with its Hellenistic predecessor. This Roman colony thrived as a key administrative and agricultural center, controlling extensive surrounding lands through Neapolis port.
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