 The ancient acropolis of Halai, in the present seaside town of Theologos, Greece, was located near major land and sea routes in antiquity, and its well preserved remains are easily accessible today. The site flourished from about 6000 to 5300 B.C. during the Neolithic period and, after a hiatus, in Greek, Roman and early Christian times. The well-stratified Neolithic levels give evidence for domestic life and regional interconnections. In the Archaic Period, it was a fortified city with civic and secular buildings bisected by a major NW-SE artery leading to the temple of Athena. In the Hellenistic period it was a florishing harbor town that furnished the passing naval and commercial traffic with food and water. In early Christian times, the temple was replaced with a church, which has yielded a sixth-century mosaic featuring birds. Fishing, farming and trade were principal activities at all times. Past seasons, during which many volunteers have participated, included surface survey (1988-89), excavation (1990-92 and 1996), and study seasons (1993-95, 1997-2008). VOLUNTEERS AT HALAI FOR SUMMER 2009 The Cornell Halai and East Lokris Project is looking for several volunteers to take part in our six week field season in Greece during the coming summer (July 4-August 16). Our focus is on the archaeological site of Halai, in the village of Theologos, on the North Euboean gulf about 75 miles northwest of Athens (2 hours by bus). The site was a settlement in the Neolithic period, followed after a hiatus by a Greco-Roman town with a small fortified seaside acropolis. The main later periods of the town are Archaic, Hellenistic and Late Roman (Early Christian). Volunteers in 2009 will help with description and
recording of artifacts from Halai in the project's storerooms and with
study and conservation at the site. Volunteers are
generally expected to spend a full six weeks with the project. Although no particular skills or experience are required, volunteers should have a serious interest in learning about all aspects of field archaeology. Those interested in archaeological ceramics and in handling and learning about Neolithic pottery are especially welcome, as are those with some experience working with a total station. Experience with driving a stick-shift vehicle and willingness to drive on the secondary roads between Vivos, the site of Halai and the workrooms at Tragana are a plus. Potential drivers must obtain an international drivers licence before their arrival in Greece. Living quarters are at our camp at Vivos, 2 miles from
the site, and a
4-minute walk from the nearest bay. Our storerooms are at Tragana, 21/2
miles from the camp. Besides swimming, recreation includes walks in the
beautiful valleys and hills in the area and visits to various nearby
sites known through excavations, standing remains, scatters of sherds,
etc. Those interested in volunteering can contact Coleman by
e-mail with queries at jec13@cornell.edu. To apply,
please send an e-mail with relevant personal information, including a
resume and contact information for a couple of references. FURTHER INFORMATION FOR
POTENTIAL VOLUNTEERS ON HALAI
STUDY SEASON, July 4-August 16, 2009 The study season is 6 weeks. Full time participants
should be in camp at Vivos by the evening of Saturday July 4 and stay
until Sunday morning of August 16. See here
for information on getting to Halai/Vivos. We work a full day on
weekdays and a half-day on Saturdays. Our daily schedule is generally
as follows, though it may be somewhat modified during the season:
morning start at 6:30 or 7:00 AM; break in mid-morning; lunch and rest
for a couple of hours in early and mid afternoon; finish in afternoon
at 5:30 PM; dinner at 7:30 or 8:00PM, depending on the heat. The time
between 5:30 and 7:30PM is mostly available for swimming, walks in the
countryside, etc., except for those who have dinner chores (see below).
We have occasional optional trips to nearby sites or other points of
interest in the later afternoon and occasional evening seminars before
or after supper. FIELD WORK AT MITROU Intitial surface survey was carried out at the Bronze Age
site of Mitrou by CHELP in 1988 and 1989 and Cornell
participated in the first season of excavations in 2004 (see here).
For the continuation of excavations under the Mitrou Archaeological
Project
(MAP), please go to the
MAP web page (http://www.mitrou.org).
If you have any questions, please send mail or email to
John
Coleman, Department of Classics, Goldwin Smith Hall, Cornell
University, Ithaca, NY 14853; jec13@cornell.edu. We'd like to thank
everybody who has contacted us already to express an interest in the
project. Opportunities for participation are limited and we are still
lining up some staff members, so it may be
some time before we will make final decisions about volunteers.
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