The application of geophysical prospection to understand ancient Greek rural island landscapes: Magnetometry survey at Palaiopyrgos, Paros (Cyclades)

Abstract

Geophysical prospection in Greece has predominantly been applied at ancient urban sites on the mainland and Crete. It is rarely used on Cycladic islands and even less so in rural contexts, despite their centrality to the eastern Mediterranean region and the ability of geophysical techniques to efficiently cover extensive rural spaces and identify archaeological traces of agriculture and landscape exploitation. This study applies magnetometry for the first time on Paros, around the so-called Hellenistic Palaiopyrgos tower, with the aim of detecting the presence of buried ancillary structures and archaeological indications of agricultural activity. Several sub-surface features were identified and are compared to those at similar tower sites in the Cyclades and Greece. We highlight challenges to this approach and possible pathways forward specific to the investigation of rural landscapes. The data captured in this study will also play a central role in the protection of the Palaiopyrgos archaeological site, highlighting a methodological approach to be deployed in other areas that are experiencing rising pressure due to tourism and rapidly expanding development.