Our projects
Roman Archaeology and Bioarchaeology at Nikopoli
Nikopoli field school is unique in Greece, as it provides excavation and bioarchaeology training together at the same site. By attending, you will gain in-depth knowledge that will significantly strengthen your academic profile and acquire significant skills for your future career. We encourage participants to identify personal research interests in the site and pursue their study.
About Nikopoli
The archaeological site of Nikopoli is the largest ancient city in Greece. It is located on southwest Epirus, within an outstanding natural landscape between the Ambracian Gulf and the Ionian Sea, near the modern city of Preveza. It is being excavated under the auspices of the Ephorate of Antiquities at Preveza.
Nikopoli was built by Octavian after his victory against the fleet of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra at Aktion in 31 BC. The name ‘Nikopoli’ in fact means ‘city of victory’ in Greek. Soon, it became a very large and rich city, featuring magnificent public works, like the stadium, the theatre, the odeon, the gymnasium, and the aqueduct. The city was founded on a strategic position that allowed control of the entire area of western Greece. Its citizens were given equal rights to Romans and several tax benefits, that contributed to the economic but also intellectual and artistic growth of the city. In later years, in the Early Christian era, the city suffered many attacks and raids, that dictated the construction of new walls, enclosing a city much smaller than the Roman. Despite the destructions, Byzantine Nikopoli flourished until probably the 9th c, when it was entirely abandoned.
Nikopoli field school
During our field school, you will participate in real archaeological excavation alongside professional archaeologists of the Greek Ministry of Culture, attend seminars on archaeology, language, ancient philosophy, archaeopolitics, and heritage studies, visit important sites and museums. You will also be introduced to bioarchaeology, handle real skeletal remains, and acquire skills in human osteology.
No prior excavation experience is required for your participation. You will receive personalized, professional training in all accredited scientific protocols, including:
Advanced excavation methods
Stratigraphy
Archaeological photography
Use of total station and levelling instruments
Site drawing (plains, profiles, and stratigraphic)Handling finds, labeling, storing
Environmental and organic sampling
Site recording and finds recording
Lectures
We conduct our lectures in the form of seminars and workshops, so that participants have ample opportunity to pose questions and discuss with the lecturers and between them. We deliver high-quality, thought-provoking lectures by leading researchers and established academics in the field.
Bioarchaeology
Nikopoli field school includes an intensive, one-week Bioarchaeology course. During the course, you will handle real human remains from excavations in the city. You will receive lectures and practical training in:
Bone identification
Recording individual skeletons and commingled remains
Aging and sexing of human remains
Metrics and non-metrics
Paleopathology and trauma
Cremated remains
Biomolecular applications (isotopes, aDNA, proteomics)
Current issues in bioarchaeology and research skills
In 2023 we excavated at two different locations in Nikopoli:
Site 1: The House of Ekdikos Georgios
Set on a natural hill overlooking the city and the sea, this extensive (9000 sq.m.), luxurious residence (domus) is one of the most imposing and well-preserved buildings in Nikopoli. With a use span between the 1st and 7th c. AD, the majestic house of Ekdikos Georgios boasted several triclinia, cubicula, an atrium, the tablinum, baths, a large garden and a pool, and more rooms spread across two floors. Ekdikos Georgios was one of the residents, identified by a mosaic inscription. As the title suggests, he was a Roman official, designated to protect the people in cases of power abuse by the authorities. In 2023 we excavated at the eastern rooms of the house.
Site 2: Basilica D
As the name suggests, this is the fourth basilica discovered in Nikopoli, and it is found outside the Early Christian walls of the city, but very close to the Roman ones. Basilica D was three-aisled and timber-roofed, with a projecting tripartite transept, narthex with annexes, and atrium.
Mosaics were located on the narthex floor, featuring a pattern indicative of the artistic quality demonstrated by the Nikopoli workshops. A marble sarcophagus of exceptional quality, originating from Constantinople, was located in the Basilica. The privileged position of the burial next to the bema inside a luxurious sarcophagus suggests that the deceased was the martyr to whom the church was dedicated. In 2023 we excavated at the atrium.
The programme (Monday to Friday):
7.30 am to 1.30 pm: Excavation and general field work
1.30 pm to 6.30 pm: Lunch and rest
6.30 pm to 8.30 pm: Lectures, post excavation work, and trips
8.30pm: Dinner
Some trips take place on weekends. The programme is subject to change. We offer academic credit at no additional cost; however, you must seek approval from your department and academic advisor beforehand.
