Gourimadi, a Prehistoric Site on Euboea: The Current State of Research

Lecture Abstract 

In 2018, our international team initiated the excavation of Gourimadi, a promising prehistoric site dating back to the Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age I (c. 5th and 4th millennia BCE) in the vicinity of Karystos, southern Euboea, Greece. The site was located during a prior Norwegian survey in the area (NASK 2012-2017), where its significance became immediately apparent due to the composition and extensive spread of archaeological material visible on its surface.
The Gourimadi Excavation Project (GAP) was launched with primary objectives focused on elucidating the prehistoric chronological sequence in the region, investigating evidence for settlement organization, early metallurgy, and exploring indicators of long-distance interactions within the Aegean. Remarkably, the project's outcomes have exceeded our expectations, in terms of stratigraphy, quality and quantity of finds, and the preservation status of architectural remains.
This presentation provides a concise introduction to the area and its archaeology, offers an overview of the Gourimadi Excavation Project, outlines its progress, and summarizes the current findings.

Biographical Information

Dr. Žarko Tankosić (SFF Center for Early Sapiens Behavior (SapienCE), Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies, and Religion, University of Bergen) holds a BA in archaeology from the University of Belgrade in Serbia, as well as an MA and PhD in anthropology from Indiana University in Bloomington. From 2013 to 2021, he served as an administrator and researcher at the Norwegian Institute in Athens. Since 2021, Dr. Tankosić has taken on the role of Project Manager for the Center for Early Sapiens Behavior (Center of Excellence) within the Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies, and Religion at the University of Bergen in Norway.

His extensive experience includes participation in numerous archaeological rescue projects in the US (Indiana State), as well as involvement in or leadership of archaeological field research initiatives in Serbia, South Africa, and, notably, Greece. Dr. Tankosić is currently engaged in several field projects:

Gourimadi Archaeological Project in Greece: Conducted under the aegis of the Norwegian Institute at Athens, where he serves as the Project Director.
Small Cycladic Islands Project in Greece: A collaborative effort between the Greek Ministry of Culture, the Norwegian Institute at Athens, and Carleton College (US), where he holds the position of Project Co-director.
Blombos Cave Excavations in South Africa: As the Project Manager.

Dr. Tankosić's academic focus centers on the transition from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age in the Aegean and the Balkans. His research interests extend to understanding how insular environments influenced prehistoric culture and societies, as well as the investigation of archaeological traces of social inequality in prehistory.

Dr. Paschalis Zafeiriadis (The Norwegian Institute at Athens, University of Bergen) is an archaeologist specializing in Aegean Prehistory, with a primary focus on the intra-site spatial organization of Late Neolithic - Early Bronze Age (EBA) communities. His research interests also encompass Theoretical Archaeology, Excavation Methodology and Stratigraphy, Digital Archaeology, and Cave Archaeology.
He serves as an advisor and researcher at the Norwegian Institute at Athens/University of Bergen. In addition, he has taught extensively at New York University and its Study Abroad Program in Athens.

With extensive fieldwork experience in Greece, both as a field archaeologist and field director, Paschalis is currently co-directing the Gourimadi Archaeological Project. This project involves a Neolithic - Early Bronze Age excavation in Karystos (Euboea) and is conducted by the Norwegian Institute at Athens.

Dr. Fanis Mavridis (Ephorate of Paleoanthropology/Speleology, Min. of Culture and Sports) is an archaeologist with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Ephorate of Paleoanthropology and Speleology. He pursued his studies in History and Archaeology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and completed his postgraduate studies in Aegean Prehistory at the same institution (Μ. Phil). Dr. Mavridis expanded his academic journey with an MSc in Environmental Archaeology and Paleoeconomy from the University of Sheffield, followed by a PhD in the Neolithic of the Aegean Islands (NKUA), for which he received a scholarship from the National Scholarship Foundation.

In addition to receiving numerous scholarships and research awards, he served as a Getty Research Exchange Fellow for the Mediterranean Basin and the Middle East. During this time, he conducted post-doctoral research on the Neolithic of Anatolia. Dr. Mavridis actively shares his expertise and ongoing research on Aegean Prehistory through seminars for graduate and postgraduate students at the Department of History-Archaeology at NKUA.

His academic pursuits primarily focus on Aegean Prehistory, with specific research interests in Neolithic Aegean, Bronze Age Cyclades, and Cave and Island Archaeology. Dr. Mavridis has conducted systematic and rescue excavations in various regions, including Attica, Euboea, and the Cyclades. Notably, he is a valued member of the Akrotiri excavations. To date, he has authored three books and over 50 articles, contributing significantly to the field.

Attendance

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