Die thrakische Hafenstadt Ainos: Ergebnisse eines interdisziplinären Forschungsprojektes

Abstract

This article summarizes the results of a project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) under the umbrella of the SPP 1630 from 2012 to 2018. During the field campaigns archaeological, architectural, geoarchaeological and geophysical investigations were carried out. The research focus was on the topographical and economic development of Ainos in antiquity, especially during the Roman Empire, as well as during the Byzantine period. New findings were obtained regarding the development of the town and the localisation of possible harbour sites. It became clear that the Roman Imperial era in Ainos is not, as long assumed, to be considered as an epoch of decline. The landscape changes, esp. the sedimentation caused by the southwestward advancing delta of the Hebros, did not lead to restrictions regarding landing sites until the early Byzantine period.