Swiss archaeologists search for treasures in Greece
Published: Sunday, Jan 7th 2024, 13:20
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In search of treasures and sanctuaries: Swiss archaeologists have been exploring the remains of the ancient city of Eretria on the Greek peninsula of Euboea for 60 years.
At the invitation of the Greek authorities, the Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece (École suisse d'archéologie en Grèce, Esag) began excavations in Eretria in 1964. Hundreds of scientific articles, master's theses and doctoral dissertations were written by Swiss researchers during this period.
"We are currently carrying out one of the largest university research excavations in Greece," said Tobias Krapf, who is involved in these excavations, in an interview with the Keystone-SDA news agency. Greece is incredibly important as a research location. "It is a center for archaeology. We can also make an important contribution here from Switzerland," said the archaeologist.
Spectacular finds
One of the major Swiss research projects in Greece concerns the sacred site of the goddess Artemis. Numerous references to the existence of such a sanctuary of Artemis near Eretria have been found in Greek and Roman sources. According to Krapf, archaeologists were already looking into the question of where it might have been located on this large island around a hundred years ago.
In 2017, the Swiss researchers finally made a spectacular discovery: in Amarynthos, not far from Eretria, they came across the remains of the sacred site. Three years later, they found the temple of the goddess - a rich deposit of vases, bronze vessels, seals and ornaments made of precious materials showed where it must have stood. During the excavations last year, the researchers were then able to uncover the entire temple of Artemis.
Incidentally, the Swiss archaeologists are not allowed to keep these finds: they remain the property of the Greek state. They are kept in the Archaeological Museum of Eretria. The archaeological school, however, receives the rights to research and publish the results.
"Typically Swiss"
In another research project in Greece, Swiss archaeologists are digging on the summit of the highest mountain on the island of Aegina. This is a logistical challenge, explained Krapf. Every day, the researchers have to climb the mountain on foot - including their materials. "It's kind of typical that we're doing a research project like this as a Swiss school," said Krapf.
Swiss archaeologists are also conducting research underwater: divers are investigating an ancient shipwreck. "For the first time, we have now found bones and teeth from the crew of this shipwreck," says Krapf.
"There have been significant finds in recent times", says Krapf. A portion of luck plays a role here. "But we have also intensified our work in recent years." Larger teams are now involved in the excavations than in the past. In each of the last two summers, around 70 people from Switzerland have traveled to Euboea for the excavations.
Challenges of the future
Although they are working on the past, the researchers also have to deal with the challenges of the future. The excavations take place in the summer months of July and August, as the researchers and students have to adapt to their universities' schedules. According to Krapf, the excavations also serve to train students.
"It's been incredibly hot in recent years," said Krapf. "You can't work at midday and early afternoon." In addition, there are heavy storms. So the excavations would always start early in the morning.
According to the archaeologist, however, these efforts are worthwhile: "Only by researching the past can we know how we have become what we are," says Krapf.
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