The work performed consisted of several tasks integrated into five work packages. Initially this included the macroscopic study of archaeological finds and small-scale excavation of a metallurgical site. The contexts where such finds have been recovered were taken into consideration to account for the organisation of metal production in each examined case. Samples were taken for laboratory analysis during this stage. A second stage of the work involved a small-scale field survey that was conducted to locate ancient mining sites and smelting localities at the Lekani mountain range in Kavala prefecture. The GIS data collected during this survey were treated in order to create Geo-referenced maps. In the next stage instrumental analyses were performed on sampled material including optical microscopy, XRF, SEM/EDS, EPMA and ICP/MS.
Concerning the first technological stage, results from the project have confirmed the ways by which the north Aegean was a metal producing territory from the 5th to the end of the 1st millennium BC. Based on the study of prehistoric metallurgical finds it was concluded that copper and to lesser extent silver production was practiced in domestic contexts with a small output that was oriented to cover local needs. Contrary to previous interpretations that attributed a peripheral role to this region, the project displayed how it was actually located at the convergence of important trade routes for copper and possibly also silver and gold from the Balkan and Anatolian trade routes to the Aegean, as well as tin from further afield. The second technological stage, that of the spread of iron technology in this region, is a complex issue that has been partially addressed but no conclusions are yet available. The experimental simulation that was designed to address the critical issue of testing the local raw materials was helpful in addressing issues of selective ore procurement in the early stages of bloomery smelting in the region. Likewise, iron production residues from the Thracian coast, excavated at Molyvoti have been investigated. Although the assemblage dates to the 4th century BC the results point to the use of local resources utilising sophisticated bloomery smelting techniques and are important for understanding the later developments in iron production in Thrace. Concerning the third technological stage, mining evidence at several locations on the Lekani mountain range has been investigated in association to a large volume of metallurgical waste excavated at the Thasian colony of Pistyros at the foothills of the Lekani. Our results are significant as for the first time the process by which gold was extracted in the region could be explained based on actual archaeological evidence. The proposed model for gold extraction at Pistyros highlights its inhabitants’ advanced knowledge in metallurgical technology and the site’s importance in precious metals extraction that was fundamental for its economic prosperity during the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. Issues of supplying the Macedonian mints with gold after the site came under Macedonian rule have been also investigated and are crucial for identifying a new supply source, that is very important for numismatic studies, Greek archaeology and history in general. Such results represent an important contribution to the state-of-the-art in archaeometallurgical studies.
Results dissemination was carried out through the projects’ website, publication of articles in peer-reviewed journals, which is still ongoing, participation in conferences, public lectures, the organisation of a workshop and an international conference, as well as an experimental simulation of metal production open to the public.
