Overview
In Greece, an extensive archaeological survey has revealed more than 200 ancient sites in the Eretrian plain of the island of Evia. The conclusions cover almost 6,000 years of human presence, providing a comprehensive account of how land resources in rural areas facilitated the long-term presence, economic connections, and the continuation of culture.
Survey in the Eretrian Plain
The Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece (ESAG) carried out the research in a territory of over 30 square kilometres. The team discovered various remains, such as farms and quarries, settlements and medieval road systems. These locations show how the rural infrastructure supported the local city of Eretria and religious centres like the Sanctuary of Artemis at Amarynthos.
Role of LiDAR Technology.
One of the significant advances was LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). This new remote sensing method enabled scientists to map out the terrain under thick vegetation. It created 3D images of high resolution that revealed concealed features like buried walls, terraces, and ancient paths that otherwise could not be seen with the conventional method.
Rural Organisation and Economy.
The paper brings out the importance of demes, or rural administrative units, in the ancient Greek society. These units served as the economic and social centres in the locality. Archaological sources, such as rock-cut olive presses and organized road systems, indicate that there was a highly organized agrarian economy with a well-developed network of connectivity between settlements.
Continuity of Settlement
The area has high levels of habitation continuity throughout various historical periods, such as Mycenaean, Roman, and Ottoman. The rural systems were not destroyed in spite of the political and cultural changes. This continuum can offer useful information on long-term human adaptation and sustainable land use.
Exam-Focused Key Points
- More than 200 archaeological locations were found in Evia, Greece.
- Over 30 sq km was surveyed.
- LiDAR to map terrain at a high resolution.
- Demes were rural district in ancient Greece.
- There are almost 6,000 years of evidence of continuous human activity.
Practice Questions (answers included)
Q1. In which 200+ old sites were found?
Response: Eretrian plain, Evia island, Greece.
Q2. What was the technology that assisted in discovering concealed structures?
Response: LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).
Q3. What were ‘demes’ in ancient Greece?
Response: Rural administrative and socio-economic units.
Q4. Name one important religious site mentioned in the findings.
Response: Sanctuary of Artemis at Amarynthos.
Q5. What is the value of the discovery?
Response: It depicts almost 6,000 years of human habitation and rural economic organisation.