Speakers

Prof Nikolaos  A. LIANOS
Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Democritus University of Thrace

Biography:

Nikolaos A. Lianos is Professor at the Faculty of Architecture, Democritus University of Thrace. He holds a PhD in History of Architecture and Urbanism from the University of Rome. He is a member of various societies and institutions, such as the Technical Chamber of Greece, the Association of the Greek Architects, and the Hellenic Society of Cartography. He is also Vice-President of the Hellenic International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). His interests include underwater and land archaeology, vernacular architecture, direct and indirect monuments documentation (aerial photography and photogrammetry). In addition, he participated in several studies and projects, including a project for the protection of underwater monuments of Methoni and Sapienza; and a study on restoration of the ancient sea walls of Naoussa, Island of Paros. He has several publications in peer-reviewed journals and mass media.

Abstract:

The Ancient Port of Marea-Philoxenite at Lake Mareotis in Alexandria

During 2001 and 2002, a Greek–Egyptian archaeological mission was conducted in collaboration with Democritus University of Thrace and the Underwater Antiquities Department of Alexandria, Egypt, in the area of the ancient port Marea/Philoxenite at Lake Mareotis in Alexandria. The aim of this mission was to survey, excavate and study this unique harbor facilities. Members of the team were: Nikolaos Lianos, Chrysiis Samiou, Mohamed Mustafa Abdel Maguid, and Ibrahim Metwalli. During the first mission, a survey of the actual coastline of the Lake together with the four moles was conducted. The water level of the Lake was relatively low, which allowed surveying not only the contours of the moles but also the moles themselves. Simultaneously, excavation trenches were dug along the sides of mole III, which was considered the most important due to its proximity to the remnants of the Great Basilica. 

During the second mission, we proceeded with the survey of the area, and a complete photogrammetric coverage of the superstructures of the moles was completed. The photogrammetric survey was conducted with aerial photographs taken from a constant height (approx.. 6 m) with an analog camera. Reference points were established along the upper surface of the moles, which was measured by GPS used for surveying the area. The final result was the creation of a controlled photomosaic of the analog pictures, which provided a precise documentation of their construction system. During the same excavation period, a new excavation trench was dug at mole II. All the excavation trenches were dug along the sides of the moles. In most trenches, the excavation penetrated under the foundation of the mole, in order to collect human materials and be able to date the constructions. According to the results of the excavations conducted at the ancient port of Marea/Philoxenite, it can be concluded that dating the harbor site lacks archaeological evidence of earlier and later periods, while the only certain evidence found during our survey was that of the Byzantine Period.