1st INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM- CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
STYRIA GAIA

The Archaeology of Styra & Southern Euboea
Styra, 3-5 July 2009
Organization: Styra Municipality & University of the Aegean

Styra and Southern Euboea contain a rich history but yet mysterious and unexplored archaeological material. Within the frame of showing up of the cultural heritage and the reinforcement of cultural tourism in Styra and Southern Euboea the Municipality of Styra organizes the 1st International Symposium about Styra and Southern Euboea in 2009. The aim of this symposium is to bring together experts to present new archaeological findings and relevant information from their archaeological studies in the region between Eretria and Karystos related to cultural materials and ways of cultural management and presentation of monuments, artifacts and palaeolithic finds for the benefit of the residents, the regional economy and the visitors. New light will be shed on the unknown history of the region including, settlements and settlers, ancient culture and activities of past human societies, flora and chlora, the natural environment, all interacted in the triptych people- culture- environment. The Symposium’s thematics include: - archaeology since palaeolithic times to Byzantine period - palaeontology – palaeoanthropology - Folklore - ancient environment - archaeometry (the natural sciences in the study of cultural heritage) - museology for the region - ancient history - settlement intercommunication - ancient harbours - settlers and colonists - archaeogeomorphology - Dragon Houses and ancient Quarries - Cave studies.
The Municipality of Styra intents to publish the proceedings as a special issue of the international journal Mediterranean Archaeology & Archaeometry (www.rhodes.aegean.gr/maa_journal).

Accommodation
All participating speakers are covered for accommodation and meals by the Municipality of Styra.

Abstracts
A summary of the proposed oral presentation should be prepared and submitted to liritzis@rhodes.aegean.gr not later than 30th of January 2009

Organising Committee
Sophia Moutsou (Mayor of Styra) Panagiotis Mitropetros, Philologist Akrivi Leka, Envir. Eng. Ass.Prof Yiannis Zervas, Univ. of Athens Dr Nicolas Zacharias, Univ of Peloponesse Gerasimos Artelaris, PhD Cand. Dr George Polymeris, Physicist Secretariat: Municipality of Styra (styra@hol.gr; tel 22240-29280).

Scientific Committee
Ioannis Liritzis, prof at the University of the Aegean- scientific coordinator Dr Ioannis Bassiakos, NCPR Demokritos Prof. Pierre Ducrey, Director Swiss School of Archaeology Dr Sylvian Fachard, Scientific Secretary, Swiss School of Archaeology Dr Rozina Kolonia, Ephor, 11th Dept of Antiquities, Chalkis Prof. Don Keller, Boston University Prof. Eirene Lemos, Oxford University Prof. Nikolaos Moutsopoulos, Aristotle Univ of Thessaloniki Prof.Petros Themelis, Univ. of Crete Prof George Theodorou, Univ of Athens

2008 Kampos Survey

Admittedly late, I would like to say a few words on our Kampos related fieldwork in the summer of 2008.

The main part of the Karystian Kampos survey ended with the 2007 season and we have had very important and somewhat unexpected results (see below). Especially significant were our findings of prehistoric remains in parts of the Kampos where we thought they would be covered by alluvium. Moreover, our prehistoric sites almost exclusively consist of lithic (obsidian) scatters, however of the size and magnitude not previously recorded in the area. This has further corroborated the hypothesis that the Karystia was an important part of the prehsitoric obsidian trade/exchange (e.g. Keller et al. (forthcoming) "Prehistory of the Paximadhi Peninsula", Instap Publications). Our work in 2008 was geared towards trying to obtain even more information from the lithics sites.

Our aim was to conduct detailed on-site micro-survey of selected sites to collect the material we might have missed previously. We chose the largest obsidian scatter (findspot 07N35) as our 2008 target. With two intersecting N-S and E-W axes we divided the location into 4 sectors. Each sector was further subdivided into E-W running transects, which were in turn subdivided into 2X2 m squares. The 2X2 m squares served as our basic recording units. Each square was collected in detail by a 2 person team. During the 2-week period we were able to survey most of one of the sectors. As we expected, we collected a lot more material that we missed in 2007 and which consists mainly of microflakes and larger fragments probably uncovered by erosion during the time between the last visit we made to the site in 2007. These types of materials are very important for understanding the exact nature of the site and for statistical analyses.

The team in the field consisted of Rie Larsen, Mia Toftdal, Renate Storli, Davor Cakanic, Svein Hauge, and Zarko Tankosic (field director). This field season was also funded by a grant from the Institute for Aegean Prehistory (INSTAP), for which we are extremely grateful. Last, but by no means the least, I would like to extend special thanks to Ms. Maria Kosma, the archaeologist of the Greek Archaeological Service in charge of southern Euboea, for her understanding, company, and great help in facilitating our research.