One hundred years of archaeological research in Thassos, in a scrapbook full of archival material, compiled by many generations of scientists and artists


Four hats and a revolver. The young French archaeologist coming of age 1920 in Thassos, bringing the customs of the time to the island that was liberated only a few years ago, except for his hats (the cork, the straw, the canvas and the trajaska) he had thought fit to have a gun with him. In his notebook the member of the French Archaeological School does not explain the reasons for this need, but the conditions that prevailed on the poor island might even have frightened him.
A few years ago, April of 1911, excavations had begun in Thassos thanks to the Turkish firman secured by the French Archaeological School at a time when masterful "diplomatic" actions were required. Because it had to be negotiated simultaneously with the Egyptian Khedive for the Egyptian properties, to request permission from the monasteries of Athos that had estates on the island and to make contracts with the owners, something the excavators seem to have initially ignored.
Today, a century after those difficult but fruitful days, the revelation of the great ancient city of the North is complete. The route, however, is a valuable archaeological site, cultural and historical record, which is now included in the album "100 years of French excavations in Thassos, 1911-2011», a joint publication of the French School of Athens and Olkos publications.
A puzzle whose pieces – letters, designs, rare and often anecdotal photographs of the excavations and the amazing finds, 230 in total – composed by authors Arthur and Dominic Miller through this anniversary album, which coincides with the 100 years since the integration of Thassos into the Greek territory. In the same spirit was the exhibition that preceded it at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki 2011 with the same title.

The findings
In fact the investigations of the French Archaeological School had begun the 1856 – ten years after its establishment -, but not systematically. At that time only by chance were the finds of sculptures and inscriptions that enriched the collections of the Egyptian governor Toussoun Bey or M. Bulgaridis, consul of France in Kavala, or even adorned the salons of the port governor, when they weren't being cut up to be used in construction or when they weren't feeding the lime kilns.
A’ World War had tragic consequences for archeology as well, after the excavations in Thassos were abruptly stopped, while three of the four first excavators of the island (Adolphe Joseph Reinach, Gustave Blum and Charles Avezou) they died. Once it 1916 a new mission was attempted, the archaeologists, however, "had to leave, after a short excavation period, due to practical difficulties, of the dangers of aerial bombardment and of General Sarrail's official warning".

The colossus
But the most important event immediately after the war was, the 1920, the de-walling of an archaic colossal statue that had been found in fragments in the city's fortifications. They were painstakingly brought down from the slopes of the Acropolis in oxcarts and the whole was finally restored in 1923. With his decade 1920 after all, a new era for the excavations in Thassos is beginning. And par’ that conditions continued to be difficult – or even strange ones, if one calculates that in the diet of the archaeologists, tuna alternated as the only food, the pate(!), the sardines, mackerel and herrings -, excavations and discoveries continued.
Today archaeologists know that Thassos, a Parian colony of 670 e.g., it had one of the most important mints in the Greek world, rich trade, mainly wine, and enjoyed the goods of her prosperity for centuries. For’ this and the book is not an art publication, but of presenting archival material collected by generations of archaeologists, photographers, architects and designers.

A city full of sanctuaries
There are few aspects of the life of the ancient city of Thassos that have not been studied in 100 years of research by the French Archaeological School, whether it is about its urban context and periphery or about its political and religious institutions or its economic and artistic life. Excavations have revealed the theater and market, with a set of sanctuaries in its central square. At the top of the Acropolis dominate the sanctuaries of Pythian Apollo and Athena, while the sanctuary of Dionysus is still located in the city, the sanctuary of Hercules, Institutionalization, but also the sanctuary of Artemis, the excavation of which brought to light numerous votive offerings, like figurines, ceramics, objects of gold, ivory, copper or orea crystal.
Built entirely of marble in the early 5th century BC. was the wall of this city, with a network of towers that ensured surveillance of the territory. It is no wonder then that Thassos became a city so powerful that it clashed with the interests of even Athens in the region.

When & where
The edition "100 years of French excavations in Thassos, 1911-2011» is released within the week by Olkos publications and the French School of Athens.

Source : tovima.gr