Researchers

Dr. Barbara J. Hayden, Field Director, Senior Research Scientist, Mediterranean Section, University of Pennsylvania Museum
Hayden has worked for several years within the Vrokastro Survey area and has published articles and volumes (The Vrokastro Reports) concerning the antiquities, settlements, ancient-Ottoman history, and environment of the region.

Dr. Metaxia Tsipopoulou, Ephoreia Liaison and Director
Tsipopoulou will supervise the excavation for the local Greek Department of Archaeology, which is obtaining the permit for this project. Tsipopoulou is familiar with this site and the general area, and has excavated a Minoan palace site at Petras, Siteia, and is currently excavating a Late Minoan and Early Iron Age site at Khalasmenos, in the Isthmus of Hierapetra. 

Dr. Yannis Bassiakos, Senior Archaeometallurgist and Geologist, Laboratory of Archaeometry, Institute of Materials Science, NCSR, Demokritos
Bassiakos is principal collaborator in the Istron Geoarchaeological Project and is supervising fieldwork involving exploration of the topography and resources of this coastal zone. Bassiakos will also supervise the analyses of artifacts involved in pyrotechnical activities recovered from the excavation.

Dr. Apostolos Sarris, Director of the Laboratory of Geophysical-Satellite Remote Sensing and Archaeo-environment, Institute of Mediterranean Studies, Foundation for Research and Technology (F.O.R.T.H.)
Sarris is principal collaborator of the Istron Geophysical Project and will continue geophysical prospection (remote sensing) of the coastal zone and preparation of maps of the coastal zone and site of Priniatikos Pyrgos.

Professor Thanasas Kalpaxis, Director of the Institute of Mediterranean Studies
Dr. Kalpaxis initiated the geoarchaeological study of the Istron area through the auspices of the Institute for Mediterranean Studies and obtained the permit for this fieldwork project.

Acknowledgments

Damon Cassiano was excavation architect in 2005, and K. Zervantonakis, of the KZ Geotechnical Engineering Company, provided the equipment, personnel, and technical expertise for the coring and trenching program, 2004. The Institute for Aegean Prehistory, the University of Pennsylvania Museum, and the American Philosophical Society have provided support for this excavation and geoarchaeological project. The excavation is being undertaken by the 24th Ephoreia, Aghios Nikolaos, and under the supervision of Dr. Metaxia Tsipopoulou, with the cooperation of the University of Pennsylvania Museum and the INSTAP Study Center, Pacheia Ammos, Crete.