Campaigns under Prof. J. Devreker

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After the sudden death of Prof. Lambrechts in 1974, the archaeological excavations were resumed under the direction of Prof. John Devreker in 1987, following study campaigns in 1976, 1983 and 1986. This second stage, with summer campaigns of ca. 6 weeks, has had a multidisciplinary character from the start and its aim has been to obtain a clear insight into the overall stratigraphy (the study of the successive levels) of the ancient site and the urban development of the settlement.

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For this purpose excavations were started on the highest point, the so-called ‘acropolis', which is actually a high plateau at the edge of the city where a Hellenistic-Roman burial site and a Byzantine fortress were discovered [sector I]. A subsequent series of probes linked this area stratigraphically, and therefore also chronologically, with the centre of the city. In so doing a number of ancient city dwellings [sector K], a villa [sector N] and the so-called Haghia Sophia church [sector L] were exposed. This provided more insight into the earliest development, during the pre-classical period, of the human habitation. The current research activities are aimed at a definitive completion of the excavations in the political centre of the city (the area of the temple-theatre [sector B] and agora [sector H]).