- Dept. of History and Archaeology
University of Crete
74100 Rethymnon, Crete
Christina Tsigonaki
University of Crete, History and Archaeology, Faculty Member
- Byzantine Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Urbanism (Archaeology), Roman Marble trade and distribution, Late Antique Archaeology, Late Roman Pottery, and 39 moreLate Roman and early Byzantine fortifications, Byzantine Architecture, History and archaeology, Byzantine Studies, Settlement Patterns, Byzantine History, Hagiography, Late Roman Empire, Late Antiquity, History of Archaeology, Greek (Byzantine) Texts, Early Byzantine Archaeology, Early Christian Architecture, Christian Archaeology, Byzantine church, Early Byzantine pottery, Corpus Ponderum Antiquorum Et Islamicorum, Byzantine Epigraphy, Late Antique Art and Archaeology, Byzantine Architectural Sculpture, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, THESSALONIKI, Spolia, Byzantine history and archaeology, Late Antique and Byzantine History, Byzantine Pottery, Peloponnese in the Middle Ages, Archaeology of Crete, Late Roman and Early Byzantine Pottery, Mediterranean archaeology, Historical Archaeology, Historical Geography, Early Christian Archaeology, Archaeological survey, Insularity, Maritime Archaeology, Maritime Routes, Ancient Shipwrecks, and Islandsedit
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The systematic excavations of the University of Crete at Eleutherna (Central Crete) have focused, since their beginning in 1985, on the Central Plateau of the Pyrgi hill, the acropolis of the ancient city (Sector II-Central). An Archaic... more
The systematic excavations of the University of Crete at Eleutherna (Central Crete) have focused, since their beginning
in 1985, on the Central Plateau of the Pyrgi hill, the acropolis of the ancient city (Sector II-Central). An Archaic temple and
an imposing Tetraconch, a few meters further N, were brought to light during the excavations. Although the initial use and date
of the construction of the Tetraconch remains unclear, it was converted into a church in the 7th century. These buildings seem to
have formed landmarks of Eleutherna’s acropolis during different phases of its history, demonstrating the enduring public nature
of this topos which was directly connected to the political and religious functions of the city down the centuries. Their architectural
remains, amongst which stands out the thesauros of the temple with its sophisticated and mechanically innovative cover and
locking device, along with other vestiges, including ritual depositions of feasting remains and votives, are presented here in detail
for the first time. Through their study, we will try to explore the continuities and disruptions in the sacred topography of the
acropolis at Εleutherna and to set them within the broader socio-political context of their time.
in 1985, on the Central Plateau of the Pyrgi hill, the acropolis of the ancient city (Sector II-Central). An Archaic temple and
an imposing Tetraconch, a few meters further N, were brought to light during the excavations. Although the initial use and date
of the construction of the Tetraconch remains unclear, it was converted into a church in the 7th century. These buildings seem to
have formed landmarks of Eleutherna’s acropolis during different phases of its history, demonstrating the enduring public nature
of this topos which was directly connected to the political and religious functions of the city down the centuries. Their architectural
remains, amongst which stands out the thesauros of the temple with its sophisticated and mechanically innovative cover and
locking device, along with other vestiges, including ritual depositions of feasting remains and votives, are presented here in detail
for the first time. Through their study, we will try to explore the continuities and disruptions in the sacred topography of the
acropolis at Εleutherna and to set them within the broader socio-political context of their time.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This article briefly presents the results of the archaeological excavations of the years 2013-2016 on the Central Plateau of the Acropolis of Eleutherna. It is the continuation of the account of the results published in Πρακτικά του... more
This article briefly presents the results of the archaeological excavations
of the years 2013-2016 on the Central Plateau of the Acropolis of
Eleutherna. It is the continuation of the account of the results published
in Πρακτικά του Αρχαιολογικού Έργου Κρήτης 3. The article is divided into three parts, according to where the excavation was focused:
a. The Byzantine Quarter (southern sector) – Roman bath. On the
southern part of the Central Plateau architectural structures related
to the Byzantine district of the 7th and 8th centuries were revealed.
As evident from the work of previous years, the Byzantine buildings
were built on the ruins of a public bath of Roman times. The account
examines in detail the buildings discovered east of a road running
parallel to that of the fortification wall on the east slope. Where excavation went deep enough, areas of the bath were discovered (such as an area with a hypocaust).
b. Christian church. Excavation continued with the investigation of the
surrounding area of the church on the Central Plateau: east of the
apse of the sanctuary, where under an extensive layer of destruction
a burial of importance was found.
c. The enclosing fortifications. The trials made at the base of wall on the
east slope revealed that the fortifications of the early Byzantine period
were set directly on the natural bedrock. No foundation trench was
found. The western slope of the Acropolis was extensively cleaned to
document the fortification located on a lower terrace just below the
excavated area of the Central Plateau. Part of a fortified enclosure
about 50 m long was discovered, in which two construction phases
can be clearly distinguished: one probably of the Hellenistic period
and one of the early Byzantine period.
A particularly important numismatic find is presented in a separate
section. This is an early Islamic fals, minted in Egypt in the first decades
of the 8th century. Thus, it dates back to before the Arab conquest of
Crete. This is one of only a few examples of 8th century Arabic issues
found on the island, and the only one found during a systematic excavation.
of the years 2013-2016 on the Central Plateau of the Acropolis of
Eleutherna. It is the continuation of the account of the results published
in Πρακτικά του Αρχαιολογικού Έργου Κρήτης 3. The article is divided into three parts, according to where the excavation was focused:
a. The Byzantine Quarter (southern sector) – Roman bath. On the
southern part of the Central Plateau architectural structures related
to the Byzantine district of the 7th and 8th centuries were revealed.
As evident from the work of previous years, the Byzantine buildings
were built on the ruins of a public bath of Roman times. The account
examines in detail the buildings discovered east of a road running
parallel to that of the fortification wall on the east slope. Where excavation went deep enough, areas of the bath were discovered (such as an area with a hypocaust).
b. Christian church. Excavation continued with the investigation of the
surrounding area of the church on the Central Plateau: east of the
apse of the sanctuary, where under an extensive layer of destruction
a burial of importance was found.
c. The enclosing fortifications. The trials made at the base of wall on the
east slope revealed that the fortifications of the early Byzantine period
were set directly on the natural bedrock. No foundation trench was
found. The western slope of the Acropolis was extensively cleaned to
document the fortification located on a lower terrace just below the
excavated area of the Central Plateau. Part of a fortified enclosure
about 50 m long was discovered, in which two construction phases
can be clearly distinguished: one probably of the Hellenistic period
and one of the early Byzantine period.
A particularly important numismatic find is presented in a separate
section. This is an early Islamic fals, minted in Egypt in the first decades
of the 8th century. Thus, it dates back to before the Arab conquest of
Crete. This is one of only a few examples of 8th century Arabic issues
found on the island, and the only one found during a systematic excavation.
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The paper presents the current state of research for the DynByzCrete project (‘Recapturing the Dynamics of the Early Byzantine Settlements in Crete Old poblems - New Interpretations through an Interdisciplinary Approach- which aims to... more
The paper presents the current state of research for the DynByzCrete project (‘Recapturing the Dynamics of the Early
Byzantine Settlements in Crete Old poblems - New Interpretations through an Interdisciplinary Approach- which aims to study the settlements on Crete, Greece. The project exploits the potential of imaging techniques in archaeology, such as satellite imagery,
historical photographs, airborne oblique images and RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems also known as drones or UAV, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) low altitude photogrammetry, for the understanding of a specific chronological time-period, namely the Early Byzantine period. Indeed, the integration of all the above material, combined with traditional field survey and bibliographic search, is oriented towards a qualitative and quantitative information gathering for the GIS analysis.
Byzantine Settlements in Crete Old poblems - New Interpretations through an Interdisciplinary Approach- which aims to study the settlements on Crete, Greece. The project exploits the potential of imaging techniques in archaeology, such as satellite imagery,
historical photographs, airborne oblique images and RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems also known as drones or UAV, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) low altitude photogrammetry, for the understanding of a specific chronological time-period, namely the Early Byzantine period. Indeed, the integration of all the above material, combined with traditional field survey and bibliographic search, is oriented towards a qualitative and quantitative information gathering for the GIS analysis.
Research Interests:
This paper explores the pre- and post-dictive models of the locations of Early Byzantine Sites on Crete employed in the DynByzCrete project, which aims to examine changes in the inter- and intra-site record during the Early Byzantine... more
This paper explores the pre- and post-dictive models of the locations of Early Byzantine Sites on Crete employed in the
DynByzCrete project, which aims to examine changes in the inter- and intra-site record during the Early Byzantine period. This
project is carried out under the framework of the Operational Programme ‘EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING’ (NSRF
and speciically the action S counded y the uropean Social und and national resources
The models examine the landscape factors involved in determining the survival of sites beyond the Roman period. Location models
examining geology, farming suitability, and access to communication networks discussed groups of characteristics used to define
settlement classes. Furthermore, the site location models could be used predictively, suggesting locations for sites known from (and
locationally constrained by) historical evidence.
DynByzCrete project, which aims to examine changes in the inter- and intra-site record during the Early Byzantine period. This
project is carried out under the framework of the Operational Programme ‘EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING’ (NSRF
and speciically the action S counded y the uropean Social und and national resources
The models examine the landscape factors involved in determining the survival of sites beyond the Roman period. Location models
examining geology, farming suitability, and access to communication networks discussed groups of characteristics used to define
settlement classes. Furthermore, the site location models could be used predictively, suggesting locations for sites known from (and
locationally constrained by) historical evidence.
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Le volume des Mélanges, dédié à Jean-Pierre Sodini, correspondant de l’Institut, pour son 65e anniversaire, comporte quarante-sept contributions consacrées pour la plupart aux régions et aux sites explorés par le dédicataire. Il présente... more
Le volume des Mélanges, dédié à Jean-Pierre Sodini, correspondant de l’Institut, pour son 65e anniversaire, comporte quarante-sept contributions consacrées pour la plupart aux régions et aux sites explorés par le dédicataire. Il présente des études de différents types de matériel archéologique – sculpture, céramique et métal – ainsi que quelques descriptions littéraires de monuments.
ISBN : 2-9519198-7-5
ISBN : 2-9519198-7-5
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Ματιές στα βουνά της Κρήτης – Views over the Cretan mountains,
Εργαστήριο Μελέτης, Ρέθυμνο, Ινστιτούτο Μεσογειακών Σπουδών (ΙΜΣ-ΙΤΕ), Τρίτη 3 και Τετάρτη 4 Οκτώβρη 2017.
Εργαστήριο Μελέτης, Ρέθυμνο, Ινστιτούτο Μεσογειακών Σπουδών (ΙΜΣ-ΙΤΕ), Τρίτη 3 και Τετάρτη 4 Οκτώβρη 2017.
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Η Ελεύθερνα και οι Άραβες: με αφορμή ένα νομισματικό εύρημα από τις ανασκαφές του Τομέα ΙΙ στο Πυργί, Η Ελεύθερνα, η Κρήτη και ο έξω κόσμος, Διεθνές αρχαιολογικό συνέδριο, Ρέθυμνο, 31 Μαΐου – 2 Ιουνίου 2018
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Όρος Οξά, μια άγνωστη οχυρωμένη θέση στην Ανατολική Κρήτη, 38ο Συμπόσιο της Χριστιανικής-Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας, Αθήνα 11-13 Μαΐου 2018
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Πρωτοβυζαντινές οχυρώσεις της Κρήτης, Χριστιανική Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία, 35ο Συμπόσιο Βυζαντινής και Μεταβυζαντινής Αρχαιολογίας και Τέχνης, Βυζαντινό και Χριστιανικό Μουσείο, Αθήνα 23-26 Απριλίου 2015
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Towns and country in Crete during a period of insecurity (7th – 8th centuries), International Medieval Conference, Town and Country in the Byzantine World: Social and Economic Perspectives, American Research Center in Sofia, May 7-8 2015