Excavations at Ancient Argilos, Greece

Location: Nea Kerdylia, GR

Season: June 2, 2025 to July 12, 2025

Session Dates: 4 weeks session: June 2 - June 28, 2025 6 weeks session: June 2 - July 12, 2025

Application Deadline: May 1, 2025

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: http://www.argilos.net/

Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
University of Montreal

Project Director:
Jacques Perreault, University of Montreal

Project Description:

Argilos is situated on the north Aegean Coast, four kilometres west of the Strymon delta. It is one of the earliest Greek colonies in this area, founded in 655/54 B.C. Excavations conducted by the University of Montreal and the Greek Ephoreia of Serres have uncovered extensive architectural remains, covering all periods of occupation. The city prospered for some 300 years and was destroyed by Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, in 357 B.C. Only the Acropolis remained occupied for another 100 years.

For the last 15 years, we have been excavating a unique complex of 4 major buildings: two commercial buildings, one consisting of 12 shops, the other of 10 shops, one building with workshops and one complex of 13 housing units.  The commercial buildings go back to the 6^th century BC and are unique in Greece.

During our 2025 excavation season we will be working in the following areas :

A- we will continue our study of the commercial sector of Argilos, concentrating on the large residential complex “Q”, the commercial building “P” and the new “U” complex.

B- we will also excavate a recently acquired area, the “Angelopoulos plateau” in which we uncovered very interesting public and private units.

C- we will also be working at the Amphipolis museum to catalogue and analyse the finds uncovered during the last few years.

Also, as we do every summer, field trips will be organized to important archaeological sites and museums in the region (Pella, Vergina, the archaeological museums in Thessaloniki, Philippi, Stagira…). An optional three day visit of the beautiful island of Thasos is also planned.

Only 40 students will be accepted for this  season, which will combine three components :
1. Theoretical: history of the site and the vast region of Macedonia / Thrace, workshops on architecture and urbanism, pottery styles, etc.

2. Practical: work on the site (including architectural and stratigraphic drawing, working with electronic surveying instruments, etc.) and at the museum, cleaning and cataloguing of artefacts, profile drawing, documentation, etc.

3. Environmental: NEW environmental and zooarchaeological workshop

4. Discovery: field trips to various archaeological sites and museums in the region and optional 3-day stay on the beautiful island of Thassos.

Join our international team and meet students from Greece, Canada, USA, Australia, France, England, etc.  !

Period(s) of Occupation: Archaic and Classical periods (7th to 4th centuries BC)

Notes:
Argilos is situated on the Northern Coast of the Aegean sea, 4 kilometers west of the Strymon delta. It is one of the earliest Greek colonies in this area, founded in 655/54 B.C. Excavations conducted by the University of Montreal and the Greek Ephoreia of Serres have uncovered extensive architectural remains, covering all periods of occupation. The city prospered for some 300 years and was destroyed by Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, in 357 B.C. All staff speak English, French and Greek and students come from all around the world. Visit our website !

Project Size: 25-49 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 4 weeks

Minimum Age: 19

Experience Required: No experience required

Room and Board Arrangements:
Students share rented apartments, each with kitchen and washroom, situated in the nearby village of Asprovalta. Fee includes food (except on Sundays) and accommodation, and weekend visits to various archaeological sites and museums in the area, but does not include travel to Greece or the 3 day optional visit to the beautiful island of Thasos. See details on our website (www.argilos.net) Cost: 4 weeks session: $3900 6 weeks session: $5000

Academic Credit:
3 or 6 credits offered by Université de Montréal. Contact Prof Jacques Perreault for cost: Jacques.Y.Perreault@umontreal.ca.