MY.SPE.AR
Project
The Mycenaean Spercheios-Valley Archaeological Project (MY.SPE.AR.)
The Mycenaean Spercheios-Valley Archaeological Project (MY.SPE.AR.) is a pioneering research initiative dedicated to uncovering the Mycenaean presence in the Spercheios River Valley, a historically rich yet largely unexplored region in central Greece. Led by Field Director Professor Christofilis Maggidis and Director Dr. Efi Karantzali, this multidisciplinary project seeks to systematically investigate Mycenaean settlement patterns, economic activities, and sociopolitical structures through a combination of archaeological surveys, targeted excavations, and cutting-edge digital technologies.
The primary aim of MY.SPE.AR. is to fill critical gaps in our understanding of Mycenaean expansion beyond its well-known southern centers, such as Mycenae and Thebes. By analyzing how and why the Mycenaeans occupied the Spercheios Valley, the project explores its role as a potential trade corridor, agricultural hub, and strategic frontier between southern and northern Greece.
Using geospatial mapping, ground-penetrating radar, artifact analysis, and advanced excavation techniques, the MY.SPE.AR. project not only seeks to reconstruct the daily life and infrastructure of Mycenaean settlements but also to examine how they interacted with their environment, adapted to changing landscapes, and integrated into broader Aegean networks.
With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and cultural heritage preservation, MY.SPE.AR. aspires to redefine our knowledge of Mycenaean civilization in central Greece, offering fresh perspectives on one of the most influential cultures of the ancient world.
Survey and Excavation Methodology of the MY.SPE.AR. Project
The Mycenaean Spercheios-Valley Archaeological Project (MY.SPE.AR.) employs a multifaceted and interdisciplinary approach to systematically investigate the Mycenaean occupation of the Spercheios River Valley. The research integrates extensive and intensive archaeological surveys, aerial reconnaissance, geophysical investigations, targeted excavations, and advanced digital technologies to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the region’s historical landscape. The primary objective is to locate, identify, and map Mycenaean sites, reconstruct settlement patterns, and understand the region’s role in the broader Mycenaean world.
Archaeological Survey: Locating Mycenaean Sites
The project employs both extensive and intensive surveys to systematically explore the valley:
- Extensive Survey: This broad-scale reconnaissance helps locate previously undocumented archaeological sites by analyzing large sections of the landscape.
- Intensive Survey: Conducted in high-priority areas, this method involves systematic surface collection and detailed mapping of identified sites to understand their structure, function, and chronological development.
Field teams traverse predetermined grid squares, walking systematically to collect artifacts, pottery sherds, and ecofacts (organic remains like seeds or bones). Each find is precisely documented with its location, context, and condition recorded in real-time using mobile applications like ARCH_DATA. This facilitates the creation of a comprehensive digital database, ensuring that spatial and typological analyses can be conducted efficiently.
Additionally, aerial reconnaissance through drone imaging and satellite analysis provides a broader perspective of the landscape, detecting potential structures, ancient pathways, and settlement clusters that might not be visible at ground level.




Geophysical Investigations: Unveiling Subsurface Structures
To minimize invasive excavation, the MY.SPE.AR. project employs non-destructive geophysical techniques to detect and analyze buried archaeological features, providing a clearer picture of Mycenaean settlement patterns before excavation begins.
Aerial Reconnaissance and Remote Sensing
- High-resolution aerial photography, drone surveys, and satellite imagery are essential tools for identifying surface anomalies, ancient roads, and settlement patterns. These methods help locate potential architectural remains and assess landscape changes over time. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is also used to penetrate vegetation and reveal hidden structures.
Geophysical Survey Techniques
- Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR): Detects walls, tombs, and foundations by sending radar pulses underground and analyzing their reflections.
- Magnetometry: Measures magnetic field variations to identify burned structures, storage pits, and fortifications.
- Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT): Maps differences in soil resistance, distinguishing natural formations from man-made structures.
Targeted Excavations: Recovering Mycenaean Material Culture
Based on survey and geophysical findings, MY.SPE.AR. conducts selective excavations at high-priority sites to uncover Mycenaean architecture, artifacts, and ecofacts, shedding light on settlement patterns, economy, and daily life.
Stratigraphic Excavation: Establishing Chronology
- By carefully excavating layered deposits, researchers determine when sites were settled, developed, and abandoned. Radiocarbon dating and ceramic analysis help establish a precise chronological sequence linked to broader Mycenaean history.
Microarchaeology: Tracing Daily Life
- Microscopic analysis of carbonized seeds, pigments, and metal residues provides insights into agriculture, diet, craftsmanship, and trade. Residue analysis on pottery can reveal wine, oil, and medicinal substances, reflecting economic activities.
Architectural Analysis: Uncovering Infrastructure
- Excavations focus on residential structures, administrative buildings, and fortifications, revealing insights into urban planning, governance, and defense strategies. Discoveries of storerooms or archives may indicate centralized bureaucratic control.
Material Culture: Artifacts and Their Significance
- Finds include pottery, tools, weapons, and ornaments, offering clues about trade, warfare, and daily activities. Potential discoveries of Linear B inscriptions could provide direct evidence of Mycenaean administration.
Each find is meticulously documented and analyzed, contributing to a broader understanding of Mycenaean influence in central Greece and its connections to major centers like Mycenae and Thebes.





Excavation
The MY.SPE.AR. project provides students with a hands-on experience in archaeological fieldwork, combining excavation, survey, and geophysical investigations to explore the Mycenaean past of the Spercheios River Valley. Excavations focus on key Mycenaean sites, including the Acropolis of Lamia, while regional archaeological surveys help map settlements and artifact distributions. Aerial reconnaissance using drones and geophysical techniques such as Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR), Magnetometry, and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) aid in identifying and analyzing buried structures with minimal disturbance to the site.
Students are trained as trench assistants under experienced archaeologists, gaining expertise in excavation techniques, including digging, sifting, and flotation, as well as artifact handling, cataloging, and storage. Training also includes geophysical survey methods using remote sensing technologies and digital documentation techniques, equipping participants with skills essential for modern archaeological research.
The program offers academic credit and certification through the University of Peloponnese, with successful completion earning 6-7 ECTS credits (equivalent to 3 US credits), transferable to other institutions. The field school is open to 30 undergraduate and 5-6 graduate students from around the world, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.
The Hands Behind the Excavation: Leadership and Expertise in the MY.SPE.AR. Project
The MY.SPE.AR. Project is led by a distinguished team of archaeologists and researchers dedicated to uncovering the Mycenaean past of the Spercheios River Valley. At the forefront of the excavation is Professor Christofilis Maggidis, a leading expert in Aegean archaeology, serving as the Field Director. His extensive experience in Mycenaean culture, excavation methodology, and archaeological theory provides the project with scholarly depth and strategic vision. Working alongside him is Dr. Efi Karantzali, Director of the Phthiotida/Evritania Ephorate of Antiquities, whose expertise in regional archaeology and cultural heritage management ensures the proper documentation, preservation, and interpretation of finds.
The excavation team consists of experienced field archaeologists, geophysicists, and specialists in artifact conservation, ceramic analysis, and environmental archaeology, each contributing their knowledge to reconstruct the Mycenaean world. Trench supervisors and sector coordinators oversee daily excavation operations, guiding students and research assistants through the systematic processes of excavation, data collection, and artifact cataloging.
Supporting this effort are students and volunteers from around the world, who receive hands-on training in excavation techniques, geophysical survey methods, and digital recording technologies. Their participation not only enriches their academic and professional development but also contributes to the broader understanding of Mycenaean settlement patterns, economy, and cultural interactions.
Together, this diverse team—comprising renowned scholars, skilled archaeologists, and dedicated students—works to piece together the history of this significant Mycenaean landscape, preserving its legacy for future generations.