Lost Greek city dating back 2,500 years discovered by archaeologists
'The fact that nobody has ever explored the hill before is a mystery'
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
Archaeologists have discovered a 2,500-year-old lost city in Greece.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg and the University of Bournemouth have begun exploring the ruins at a village called Vlochos, around 300km (190 miles) north of Athens.
While some of the ruins were already known, they had been dismissed as part of an irrelevant settlement on a hill, the leader of the team, Robin Ronnlund, said in a statement.
He added: "A colleague and I came across the site in connection with another project last year, and we realised the great potential right away.
"The fact that nobody has ever explored the hill before is a mystery."
The team, which also includes researchers from the Ephorate of Antiquities of Karditsa, found the remains of towers, walls and city gates on the summit and slopes of the hill.
They hope to avoid excavation and use methods such as ground-penetrating radar instead, which will allow them to leave the site in the same condition as when they found it.
During their first two weeks of field work in September, they have discovered an ancient pottery and coins dating back to around 500 BC.
Mr Ronnlund said the city appears to have flourished from the fourth to the third century BC before it was abandoned — possibly because of the Roman conquest of the area.
A second field project is planned for August next year.
He added: "Very little is known about ancient cities in the region, and many researchers have previously believed that western Thessaly was somewhat of a backwater during Antiquity.
"Our project therefore fills an important gap in the knowledge about the area and shows that a lot remains to be discovered in the Greek soil."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments