Thermaic Gulf Research Articles

Long Bones and Antlers for Artifact Production in the Final Late Bronze Age Settlement of Thessaloniki Toumba (Northern Greece, 1210–1040 cal b.c.)

ABSTRACT We present two significant patterns of osseous artifact production during the Final Late Bronze Age at the settlement mound of Thessaloniki Toumba in the northeastern Thermaic Gulf region in northern Greece and compare with data published from the same and neighboring regions. One pattern is the use of long bone fractures for shaping awls. The other is the production of pins from deer antlers. Awl manufacturing is consistent with the practice of the use of broken bones for a variety of tools, which had been common since the Early Bronze Age. The antler pins and some rare, elaborate objects, such as barbed-and-tanged points and horse bits, indicate innovation and interactions across different spatial scales toward the end of the Bronze Age. Research into the manufacturing processes may provide a more detailed understanding of the cultural and technological significance of these artifacts.

Lack of genetic structure in euryhaline Chelon labrosus from the estuaries under anthropic pressure in the Southern Bay of Biscay to the coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea

Over the last decade, xenoestrogenic effects have been reported in populations of thicklip grey mullet Chelon labrosus from contaminated estuaries in the Bay of Biscay, resulting in intersex condition. To understand the level of gene flow in individuals of different Basque estuaries microsatellite markers were used to evaluate the population structure and connectivity of C. labrosus from estuaries of the Basque coast. 46 microsatellites were tested and 10 validated for the analysis of 204 individuals collected from 5 selected Basque estuaries and 2 outgroups in the Bay of Cadiz and Thermaic Gulf. The polymorphic microsatellites revealed 74 total alleles, 2–19 alleles per locus. The mean observed heterozygosity (0.49 ± 0.02) was lower than the expected one (0.53 ± 0.01). There was no evidence of genetic differentiation (FST = 0.0098, P = 0.0000) among individuals or sites. Bayesian clustering analysis revealed a single population in all sampled locations. The results of this study indicate widespread genetic homogeneity and panmixia of C. labrosus across the current sampling areas spanning the Atlantic and Mediterranean basins. The hypothesis of panmixia could therefore be well supported so individuals inhabiting estuaries with high prevalence of intersex condition should be considered as members of the same single genetic group as those inhabiting adjacent estuaries without incidence of xenoestrogenicity.

Quantification and characterization of microplastics in the Thermaic Gulf, in the North Aegean Sea

The abundance and distribution of microplastics has largely increased during last years and the respective implications on the environment and human health is an emerging field in research. In addition, recent studies in the enclosed Mediterranean Sea in Spain and Italy have shown an extended occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in different sediments of environmental samples. This study is focused on the quantification and the characterization of MPs in the Thermaic Gulf in northern Greece. Briefly, samples from different environmental compartments such as seawater, local beaches and seven commercially available fish species collected and analyzed. MPs particles extracted and classified by size, shape, colour and polymer type. A total of 28,523 microplastic particles recorded in the surface water samples, with their numbers ranging from 189 to 7714 particles per sample. The mean concentration of MPs recorded on the surface water was 1.9 ± 2 items/m3 or 750,846 ± 838,029 items/km2. Beach sediment sample analysis revealed 14,790 microplastic particles, of which 1825 were large microplastics (LMPs, 1–5 mm) and 12,965 were small microplastics (SMPs, <1 mm). Furthermore, beach sediment samples showed a mean concentration of 733.6 ± 136.6 items/m2, with the concentration of LMPs being 90.5 ± 12.4 items/m2 and the concentration of SMPs being 643 ± 132 items/m2. Concerning fish deposition, microplastics were detected in intestines and mean concentrations per species ranged from 1.3 ± 0.6 to 15.0 ± 1.5 items/individual. The differences in microplastic concentrations between species were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and showed that mesopelagic fish contained the highest concentrations, followed by epipelagic species. The most common size fraction found in the data-set was 1.0–2.5 mm, and polyethylene and polypropylene were the most abundant polymer types recorded. This is the first detailed investigation of MPs in Thermaic Gulf, which raises concerns on their potential negative effects.

Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Land Deformation as a Factor Contributing to Relative Sea Level Rise in Coastal Urban and Natural Protected Areas Using Multi-Source Earth Observation Data

The rise in sea level is expected to considerably aggravate the impact of coastal hazards in the coming years. Low-lying coastal urban centers, populated deltas, and coastal protected areas are key societal hotspots of coastal vulnerability in terms of relative sea level change. Land deformation on a local scale can significantly affect estimations, so it is necessary to understand the rhythm and spatial distribution of potential land subsidence/uplift in coastal areas. The present study deals with the determination of the relative vertical rates of the land deformation and the sea-surface height by using multi-source Earth observation—synthetic aperture radar (SAR), global navigation satellite system (GNSS), tide gauge, and altimetry data. To this end, the multi-temporal SAR interferometry (MT-InSAR) technique was used in order to exploit the most recent Copernicus Sentinel-1 data. The products were set to a reference frame by using GNSS measurements and were combined with a re-analysis model assimilating satellite altimetry data, obtained by the Copernicus Marine Service. Additional GNSS and tide gauge observations have been used for validation purposes. The proposed methodological approach has been implemented in three pilot cases: the city of Alexandroupolis in the Evros Delta region, the coastal zone of Thermaic Gulf, and the coastal area of Killini, Araxos (Patras Gulf) in the northwestern Peloponnese, which are Greek coastal areas with special characteristics. The present research provides localized relative sea-level estimations for the three case studies. Their variation is high, ranging from values close to zero, i.e., from 5–10 cm and 30 cm in 50 years for urban areas to values of 50–60 cm in 50 years for rural areas, close to the coast. The results of this research work can contribute to the effective management of coastal areas in the framework of adaptation and mitigation strategies attributed to climate change. Scaling up the proposed methodology to a continental level is required in order to overcome the existing lack of proper assessment of the relevant hazard in Europe.

Athenian Decree for the Foundation of Brea

This Athenian decree, probably issued under Pericles’ rule in 445 BC or soon thereafter (in the thirties of the fifth century BC), testifies to the foundation of the colony (apoikia) in Brea. The decree contains practical provisions for the foundation: the appointment of an oikist and a few apoikistai, ten geonomoi for the distribution of land, an episkopos to inspect that the Athenian money is properly employed. Symbolic and religious connection to the motherland is ensured by the obligation to send tributes for the Great Panathenaia and Dionysia. Thucydides (following Bergk’s emendation), Cratinus (sometimes corrected in Craterus) and Theopompus testify to the existence of Brea and concur to the localisation of this Athenian colony in the Chalkidike peninsula, north of Potidaea, on the east coast of the Thermaic Gulf.

Athenian Decree for the Foundation of Brea

This Athenian decree, probably issued under Pericles’ rule in 445 BC or soon thereafter (in the thirties of the fifth century BC), testifies to the foundation of the colony (apoikia) in Brea. The decree contains practical provisions for the foundation: the appointment of an oikist and a few apoikistai, ten geonomoi for the distribution of land, an episkopos to inspect that the Athenian money is properly employed. Symbolic and religious connection to the motherland is ensured by the obligation to send tributes for the Great Panathenaia and Dionysia. Thucydides (following Bergk’s emendation), Cratinus (sometimes corrected in Craterus) and Theopompus testify to the existence of Brea and concur to the localisation of this Athenian colony in the Chalkidike peninsula, north of Potidaea, on the east coast of the Thermaic Gulf.

Household adaptation and intention to adapt to coastal flooding in the Axios – Loudias – Aliakmonas National Park, Greece

As a consequence of sea-level rise, coastal areas will more often experience extreme flooding in the future. Household-level adaptation is a form of accommodation that reduces vulnerability to flooding and can complement, or provide an alternative to, coastal protection. In this study we examine anticipatory adaptation to coastal flooding at household-level in the Axios – Loudias – Aliakmonas National Park, located at the Thermaic Gulf in Greece. A questionnaire survey was conducted and respondents (n = 491) were asked about actual adaptation behaviour as well as cognitive, socio-economic and housing variables. Additionally, they were asked to indicate their adaptation intention for the year 2050, for a range of narrative climate-change scenarios. Results show that coastal households in the region are currently adapting in different ways, primarily concentrating on low-effort measures. This behaviour is correlated to cognitive rather than socioeconomic and housing characteristics. In the future, respondents intend to adapt in a similar way, with a tendency to implement higher-effort and more costly measures when confronted with significant changes in climate. We argue that promoting household-level adaptation is an easy-to-implement and effective way of reducing vulnerability to coastal flooding, which should be integrated into coastal risk management strategies in Greece.

The Presence of Euboeans in the North Helladic Region and the Myths of Heracles

Recent excavations carried out in Chalcidice and at the head of the Thermaic Gulf have revealed that the Euboeans played a leading role in these areas, during the first and second Greek colonization. This is also attested by written evidence. The prominent position enjoyed by Heracles in northern Greece, which is confirmed not only by the written sources but also by the relevant representations on monuments found in this region, must be mainly due to the Euboeans. It is difficult, however, to deal with issues relevant to the formation and dissemination of these myths of Heracles and reach definite conclusions. As is well known, the Greeks often created myths in order to legitimize their conquests and territorial claims.

Κανθαροειδείς κοτύλες και εξάλειπτρα από το αρχαίο νεκροταφείο Θέρμης Νομού Θεσσαλονίκης (CH. TSOUGARIS, Gray Kantharoid cotylae and exaleiptra from the ancient cemetery of modern Thermi, Thessaloniki)

Ch. Tsougaris, Gray kantharoid cotylae and exaleiptra from the ancientcemetery of modern Thermi, Thessaloniki.Gray, wheel-made pottery with a polished surface, although not an unusualfind during excavation of late-archaic cemeteries in Central Macedonia, has sofar received little attention, apart from a number of milestone articles by prof.M. Tiverios, who studied the Sindos finds.This short study is hoped to shed some light to the problems of chronology,origin, expansion, use and production technology of the two most commonshapes, exaleiptra and kantharoid cotylae. A group of fifteen pots is examined,unearthed during the first years of excavation at the ancient cemetery of modern Thermi, east of Thessaloniki. Several of these can be dated by accompanying vases, imported from Attica or Corinth, or by similarities to otherdated gray wares.Among nine exaleiptra there is one example of each one of the angular,biconical, and flattened types, while a forth type, with a continuous profile, ismore usual. The latter evolves (within the time-span of ca. 540-500 µ.C.) froma squat vase with a rounded, incurving lip and an up-tilted handle, to a highervase with a broken, vertical lip and an horizontal handle.The six kantharoid cotylae presented, belong to a variation of the kantharos shape, which has no forerunners in earlier Macedonian pottery. Althoughthe origin of this variation can be traced back to the Bronze Age, it is arguedthat it entered Macedonia around 550 B.C. through direct contacts with N.E.Peloponnese, or with the Corinthian colony of Potidaea and in the graves ittakes the place of other large drinking vessels. The production center(s) of thisware must have been on the coast of the Thermaic Gulf, where it appears inlarge numbers, but it also reaches Upper Macedonia to the west and Pelagoniato the north. Contrary to what is generally accepted, production of this grayware seems to have been demanding, as it called for high skills during polishing, high temperatures during firing and an excellent control of a reducingatmosphere in the kiln.

Field survey at Louloudies: a new late Roman fortification in Pieria

A programme, combining a physical survey, intensive pick-up and geophysics, was carried out over 17 ha around the site of a small late Roman fortification, some 6 km south of ancient Pydna. Although the area is intensively farmed, the pick-up survey proved remarkably successful. Hellenistic occupation was identified and a restricted Roman settlement around the site of the quadriburgium. Surprisingly, a new and large late Roman fortification (c. 3–4 ha), equipped with towers, with a densely occupied interior and ‘extramural’ buildings was also found. The north-eastern curtain was discovered by resistivity surveying, the line of the north-western and south-western sides by intensive survey. Pottery and brick monograms from the new site suggests that it dates to the second half of the sixth or possibly early seventh century. It is argued that the quadriburgium may be the site of ancient Anamon, a station on the coastal road from Thessaloniki to Dion. The newly discovered site, clearly of considerable importance, lay on the north bank of the river Sourvala and probably had direct access to the sea, importing both local pottery and amphorae from the eastern Aegean. Its role may have been to protect the fertile coastline of the Pieria and to provide a secure base for the export of agricultural products to the beleaguered cities and settlements around the Thermaic Gulf.

Eretria's colonies in the area of the Thermaic Gulf

Even the sites of the Eretrian colonies Methone, Dicaea and Mende in the area of the Thermaic Gulf were unknown ten years ago. Topographical research and excavation reports by Greek scholars have now provided much information on which this article is based.

Pisistratus' settlement on the Thermaic Gulf: a connection with the Eretrian colonization

Aristotle relates that during his second exile Pisistratus joined with others in the colonization of Rhaccelus on the Thermaic Gulf: πρῶτον μὲν συνῷκισε περὶ τὸν Θερμαῖον κόλπον χωρίον ὅ καλεῖται Ῥαίκηλος. The context of this foundation is very obscure. J. W. Cole nevertheless proposed to consider this enterprise as ‘a combined Peisistratus-Eretria settlement’: this is a very attractive hypothesis which I should like to explore, adding some further considerations.

Peisistratus on the Strymon

Both Herodotus and Aristotle record the first known contact between Athens and the Macedonian area. It occurs in the time of Peisistratus, specifically during his second (?) exile. Herodotus refers briefly to revenues which Peisistratus collected from the Strymon region, which helped him recover his power (i. 64. 1). Aristotle in more detail states: ‘Peisistratus joined with others in the settlement of Rhaecelus in the Thermaic Gulf area. From there he went to the Pangaion region from which he raised money …’ (A.P. 15. 2).

Athenian Imperialism and the Foundation of Brea

The decree establishing an Athenian colony at Brea in the north Aegaean area was firmly placed by the editors ofThe Athenian Tribute Listsin 446 B.C.; they identified the troops mentioned in lines 26 ff. with the men then serving in Euboia. In 1952, however, Woodhead proposed redating the decree c. 439/8 B.C. and explained lines 26 ff. by reference to the Samian revolt. A decade later I put forward a more radical theory, which seems to have won no adherents. I cannot really complain of this, since my arguments were inevitably far from cogent. For some Thucydides' silence alone will have been decisive. I would like to think that the issue has at least been clarified by now. TheA.T.L.dating appears rather less plausible. Demokleides' generalship in 439/8 B.C. would fit excellently with his role as founder of Brea. This strongly supports Woodhead. It is doubtful whether Demokleides was general as early as 446 B.C, though conceivable that he returned to the board as late as 426/5 B.C. Woodhead may well be right in locating Brea on the inner Thermaic Gulf and, if so, this too tells against theA.T.L.dating. All our evidence suggests that real Athenian involvement in this area began in the 430's.

Notes on the Thracian Phoros

Previous articleNext article No AccessNotes on the Thracian PhorosCharles EdsonCharles Edson Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Classical Philology Volume 42, Number 2Apr., 1947 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/363013 Views: 1Total views on this site PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Research Items

MYCENAEN ELEMENTS IN THE NORTH AEGEAN.— Mr. Stanley Casson has contributed to the November number of Man an interesting analysis of the traces of intrusive Mycenaean culture in Macedonia and Thrace. Mycenaean pottery is derived from nine mounds in the Thermaic Gulf, mostly in the neighbourhood of Salonika, and all but three on the seashore. All this Mycenaean ware belongs, with one exception, to the close of the third Late Minoan period. Mr. Casson's conclusion is that probably Mycenaean imports were purely local and were derived by trade along the sea route from the south to the Thermaic Gulf. He figures two rapiers from Grevena on the upper waters of the Haliacmon and one from Karaglari in the Central Bulgarian Plain which belong to the type of Mycenaean rapier common in the last two Minoan periods. The former appears to have passed up the Vardar Valley or by way of Thessaly; the latter along the Struma. East of the Struma no traces of Mycenaean culture are recorded along the European shore, and Mycenaean traders appear to have had no port of call between Salonika and Troy.