Supported Projects
Myra–Andriake Excavations
As part of the Myra–Andriake Excavations in Demre, the city of Saint Nicholas, GABAM provides financial support for the excavations of a Byzantine period church located in the Andriake port, and for the documentation and conservation of architectural remains revealed by the excavations. The excavations are continuing in Andriake, the ancient port of the city of Myra. The Byzantine team are continuing their work on the three basilica plan churches located in this region, believed to be from the 5th and 6th centuries. These churches served the pilgrims who visited the Saint Nicholas pilgrimage site in Myra. In the structure designated as Andriake B Church, the excavation work was completed in 2019 and conservation efforts are now underway.
The ‘Prytaneion’ of Sagalassos
Within the framework of the Sagalassos Archaeological Research Project of the University of Leuven during the past months an architectural study of the presumed ‘Prytaneion’ of Sagalassos was carried out with the support of GABAM. The research has led to new insights in the (re-used) building materials, construction techniques, decoration and appearance of the eastern ‘Prytaneion’ façade and its southern wall at different stages of its building and occupation history between the second half of the 1st c. AD and early 7th c. AD. The field activities concentrated on the documentation of architectural fragments that were recovered during excavations at the ‘Prytaneion’ and its immediate environment in 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016 and 2017 and those realised on the Upper Agora during the 1990s.
Excavations at the Kadmeia Hill, Thebes, Greece
The object of this study was to compile a first catalogue of the major finds for each period, which will also be translated into English for use in a future publication about the first excavation season. The excavations at the citadel of the ancient city of Thebes (known as Kadmeia) have been ongoing for six years (since 2012). The excavation has focused on the center of the citadel where the administrative and political powers of each historical period were based. The fill-in reaches a depth of five to six meters, from the upper Late Ottoman layers down to the level of the prehistoric (Mycenaean) palace. The Late Antique and Byzantine layers included several secular and religious buildings with various phases and repairs. During the excavation season, all uncovered structures were minutely recorded in architectural plans.
Archaeological Settlements of Türkiye (TAY Project)
The Archaeological Settlements of Türkiye (TAY) is an independent project run by scholars of various universities. It aims to prepare a chronological inventory of all archaeological sites in Türkiye documented by surveys or excavations since the beginning of the 19th century. It is an open source digital portal containing basic information on archaeological sites from the prehistoric to the end of the Byzantine period. GABAM is providing support for the inventory of the Byzantine period buildings in Türkiye’s Mediterranean Region, i.e. Lycia, Pamphylia, and Cilicia. The inventory will be completed in 2020 and will be published in Turkish and English, both print and online.
Rhodiapolis Episcopal Church Mosaic Restoration and Architectural Documentation
GABAM provided financial support in 2016 for excavations conducted in Rhodiapolis, one of Lycia’s important ancient cities, so that the architectural remains of the city’s patriarchal church and 104 square meters of floor mosaics could be conserved and documented through architectural drawings. Church excavations started in 2002 and were completed in 2016. The church provides important data concerning early Byzantine architecture and the excavation team is preparing a book to be published by GABAM.
Meeting Point for Byzantinists: Bizantolog.org
Bizantolog.org is a scientific social network designed to strengthen communication among students, academics, and researchers in the field of Late Antique and Byzantine studies. The initiative is led by a group of graduate students who envision making new discoveries and creating awareness by sharing their knowledge with the academic world and the public, and who wish to take an active role in the protection and preservation of the cultural heritage of this period for future generations. Bizantolog.org uses social media to disseminate academic studies and news in the fields of Late Antique and Byzantine studies and promote interaction among interested parties. These include accounts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. GABAM provided financial support for the establishment and maintenance of the Bizantolog.org website.
Küçükyalı ArkeoPark Project
GABAM supported both the archaeological excavations carried out at Küçükyalı ArkeoPark during the fall 2015 and summer 2016 seasons and the construction of the Dig House – Visitors Center.