Archaeological site of Vlochos, Archaeological site on Strongilovoúni hill near Palamas, Greece
The Archaeological site of Vlochos sits atop Strongilovoúni hill, rising 215 meters (705 feet) above the western Thessalian plains and featuring extensive fortification walls and buried urban remains. The hillside preserves settlement structures that span multiple periods of habitation.
The settlement grew from the late Archaic period through early Byzantine times, with successive waves of building and fortification marking different phases of occupation starting in the 6th century BC. This long history shows how the place remained inhabited across many centuries.
Excavations revealed red-figure pottery fragments from Attica, suggesting this ancient Thessalian settlement was connected to distant trade networks and inhabited by prosperous people.
The site is accessible via the Palamas-Keramidi road, with ongoing research by Greek and Swedish teams constantly documenting new findings. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear to navigate the hillside, as access to different areas of the settlement requires climbing and walking across uneven ground.
Researchers using ground-penetrating radar and drone photography uncovered an intact classical Hellenistic street layout buried beneath river sediment layers. This method allowed them to map the ancient city plan without extensive excavation.
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