The Digital Helike Project in the early Helladic Period: further insights from archaeological and geological data through combined modelling, 3D reconstruction, and simulation

The Helike Project has located an Early Helladic II-III settlement buried 3—3.5m under the coastal plain on the Southwestern shore of the Corinthian Gulf. Evidence for elaborate town planning consists of buildings arranged across cobbled streets including a “Corridor House”. Large amounts of stored domestic accessories and exotic wealth points to the regional importance of the settlement concerning overseas trade in the middle and early second half of the 3rd millennium BC. Within this wider context of research, the first phase of the Digital Helike Project focusses on the Helike Corridor House (HCH). Using archaeological and geological data, 3D reconstruction of the HCH was performed followed by structural integrity analysis, an innovative and pioneering engineering technique within archaeology based on Finite Element Analysis. These new methods tested the existence of a second floor and roof structure, addressing conjectures regarding the plan and construction of such houses leading to hypotheses on their social and administrative roles. The research has provided solid evidence for the crucial structural function of the debated long narrow corridors [3]. It also demonstrated that the roof was tiled on the basis of the maximum weight the walls could support. Moreover, GIS-based predictive modelling placed the house in the context of the ancient shoreline based on five landscape variables (sea level rise, deposition, subsidence, tectonic uplift, and pulse tectonic). The results show that the Early Helladic coastline would be at 170m from the settlement (currently 1km from the shore). The location and proximity to the shore are consistent with data acquired from bore hole drilling in the area and with other contemporaneous Corridor Houses across the Peloponnese

Methods for developing 3D visualizations of archaeological data: a case study of the Early Bronze Age Helike Corridor House

The Digital Helike Project aims at the digitization of archaeological data from the Helike Project, Achaia, Greece. This paper advances understanding of Early Bronze Age house building techniques with focus on corridor houses. The Helike Corridor House is a fine example of an architectural style of the Early Helladic period EH II/Early EH III on the Greek mainland and it is used here as a case study. A methodology for 3D reconstruction is described supporting both structural integrity simulations and advanced visualization studies. The paper focuses on three aspects: firstly, it highlights technological innovations in the Bronze Age period by drawing attention to structural integrity studies recently carried out by the research team; secondly, it describes a methodology for building fully geo-referenced 3D models supporting structural integrity studies and visualization on GIS-Geographic Information Systems; and thirdly, it leads to the universal access of data and visualization over the Internet through the selection of appropriate open source, open standards and freely available tools and applications. The methodologies proposed here deepen insights on archaeological data enabling new inferences and knowledge to be gained through the implementation of universally shared low cost applications

Structural Integrity Modelling of an Early Bronze Age “Corridor House” in Helike of Achaea, NW Peloponnese

Structural integrity modelling and simulation studies were performed on the Helike Corridor House (HCH), a monumental building excavated at the Early Helladic (EH) site of Ancient Helike on the NW Peloponnese, Greece. The aims of the research were to explore building materials and plan alterations of an earlier phase into an EH II-III period Corridor House. Static load analysis followed by buckling (failure) analysis was simulated using ANSYS. Results demonstrate that buckling would develop in the narrow corridor area, being the critical spot in the structure due to its configuration of long tall sidewalls. It is shown that when stairs are introduced, the structure becomes less susceptible to buckling. We conclude that the doubling of the outer walls was a high structural and functional technical innovation which required specialized knowledge on planning and construction highlighting the critical role architecture played in response to upcoming social transformations

Creating interactive 3D visualizations of archaeological data : a case study of the Early Bronze Age Helike Corridor House

Recent review of Geoinformatic Technologies for landscape archaeology [1] has highlighted methodological issues concerning state-of-the-art digital techniques available to archaeologists. Virtual environments and data visualization help the archaeologist to explore, comprehend and explain data and information acquired from vastly diverse sources [2]. This paper advances research by addressing interactive visualization issues in archaeology [3, 4] through a methodological approach for fully geo-referenced, 3D interactive visualizations using open source tools. The method is focused on the generation of 3D models, and on placing archaeological datasets and artefact representations over large landscapes visualized on Google Earth (GE). A time-line for each object is defined so that relevant period data can be displayed. The Helike Corridor House (HCH) and related archaeological and borehole data are used here as a case study [5]. First, we discuss how items from a geoarchaeological database (e.g. borehole data) organized on a spreadsheet or on a MySQL database are augmented by a tag-based structure with attributes using the XML-Extensible Markup Language for conversion into KML file format for GE display. Second, we examine the methodology for creating geo-referenced 3D models using SketchUp by direct manipulation of the geographic area imported from GE into SketchUp. With regards to this issue, we explore the addition of textures and the exporting of the final 3D model to KML format. Finally, we submit our propositions on how overlays and animations in GE are created in the perspective of acquiring a powerful interactive experience and easy sharing of archaeological data. Overall the paper enhances the range of insights on the digital relationships with archaeological data that enable new inferences and knowledge by the implementation of universally shared low cost applications

On roof construction and wall strength : non-linear structural integrity analysis of the Early Bronze Age Helike Corridor House

We have demonstrated [1] through Structural Integrity Analysis that the Adobe brick Early Helladic (EH II-III) Helike Corridor House design was sound and it was able to support a second floor. This paper furthers the research focusing on roof loads by performing non-linear and sensitivity analyses addressing two research questions: 1) Was the roof of a light tiled construction or was it heavy as described in [2] about four times heavier than a tiled roof; and 2) What would the behaviour of the structure be when subjected to adverse wet weather under light and heavy roof loads. Previous research has shown that Adobe bricks can absorb large quantities of water from 2 to 10kg/m2 [3, 4]. Furthermore, if it absorbs 4kg/m2 the overall strength of the wall is reduced by 50% [3]. Using mechanical properties of dry and wet Adobe bricks, we have performed non-linear analysis using ANSYS aimed at determining whether or not the structure would collapse under four conditions: LIGHT-DRY (light roof, dry Adobe), LIGHT-WET, HEAVY-DRY and HEAVY-WET. The results show that under a light roof the structure would stand. However, a heavy roof similar to early Minoan structures [2] would lead to total collapse of the house as the Yield Stress on the wall structure is greater than the maximum allowed for wet and for dry Adobe. This points to sophisticated construction techniques with tiled rooves and the possible use of stabilising materials such as lime, ash or organic to protect the tiles [5]. The theory that Helike builders were aware of such techniques could only be supported by planned forthcoming detailed soil analysis to identify possible stabilisers and this would raise further questions on wider interactions such as trade. This research offers new understandings of roof techniques and weight limitations for Adobe building Corridor Houses in a period where only scant evidence is available

Exploring static electricity as design material for woven and hand-tufted textiles

“Electrostatic textile surfaces” is a design example of surfaces which have the ability to interact to human action by movement. The design exploration was directed by the intention of achieving movement through static electricity. During this project textile techniques such as weaving and hand-tufting have been explored in combination with unconventional materials and functions and used as methods to design the surfaces. The findings from the design process regard the categorization of the yarns through the material exploration, the development of a design method through the experimentation of the technique and the surface appearance through the materialization of the method. The two final surfaces are exhibited horizontally and vertically in relation to the ground. The scale of the final structures is related to the body scale. One can electrify the surfaces by walking around or through them letting an open dialog to take place depended on personal interpretations.Program: Master Programme in Fashion and Textile Desig

Utilitarian and symbolic pottery in the neolithic of central Greece (Cyclops Cave, island of Youra): technological, typological and sociological approach

In the scope of this thesis the assemblage of pattern painted vessels of Middle Neolithic date (early 6th millennium BC) excavated from the Cyclops Cave on the coast of the island of Youra (Northern Sporades), northern Aegean, Greece, has been examined and discussed. Typological, morphological and technological evidence, mostly on the decoration, has been drawn to produce deeper insights on the human groups and their activities these containers served in the Middle Neolithic of the cave. The pottery vessels in discussion were found in a remote place in the deepest area of the cave. They consist of deep vases and hemispherical bowls, all partly preserved in fragments, fully covered with red linear patterns painted on a light background. Α mostly complicated pattern is the thin canvas lines which stands as the metrical background for the accurate rendering of foreground patterns, in a very detailed syntax across the vessel bodies. The Youra pots compare with the contemporary Middle Neolithic of the central Greek mainland rather than Thessaly, and are very closely related to the decorated pottery from Agios Petros, a Neolithic village on the neighboring island of Kyra-Panagia, to such degree that both assemblages may have a common provenance from this village. Inspiration of the decorative patterns and their synthesis is directly drawn from the weaving technique and unveils the hidden landscape of the technique, products and the aesthetics of Neolithic weaving art. Typological and stylistic account is described in Part 1, and a series of questions is leading to the synthetic approach in Part 2. The suggested scenario involves understanding of the assemblage as the social product of specialized potters and weavers. The determining influence of weaving on the patterning of the vessels may also suggest that potters and weavers are practicing their art in the same group, where the red patterns change between clay and cloth. The pots found in the Cyclops Cave were probably manufactured in the village of Agios Petros and were transported to Youra as part of customary performances that would take place inside the cave, maybe within one or two generations in the early 6th millennium BC. The awe challenged by the cave remoteness and darkness as well as the affluence of water may have intensified the ritual of the performance, which may have included the use of these certain containers for carrying, processing or consumption of foodstuffs on site, and probably ended with ritual fragmentation and selective deposition at the foot of the stalagmite.Η εργασία αυτή πραγματεύεται ένα σύνολο γραπτών αγγείων της Μέσης Νεολιθικής (αρχή 6ης χιλιετίας π.Χ.), που βρέθηκε στο σπήλαιο του Κύκλωπα, παράκτια θέση στη νησίδα Γιούρα των Βορείων Σποράδων. Με βάση τυπολογικά και τεχνολογικά κριτήρια, κυρίως της διακόσμησης, τα οποία εντάσσει σε μια θεωρητική συζήτηση, η μελέτη προσπαθεί να κατανοήσει στο πλαίσιο ποιων ανθρώπινων ομάδων και δράσεων χρησιμοποιήθηκαν αυτά τα αγγεία στο σπήλαιο κατά τη Μέση Νεολιθική. Τα κεραμικά σκεύη των Γιούρων βρέθηκαν απομονωμένα στο βάθος του σπηλαίου. Συνίστανται κυρίως σε βαθιά δοχεία και ελάχιστα ρηχά, αποσπασματικά διατηρημένα, που είναι κατάκοσμα από ερυθρά γραμμικά σχέδια αναπτυγμένα σε ανοιχτόχρωμο βάθος. Ανάμεσα στα διακοσμητικά σχέδια ξεχωρίζει ο καμβάς (δίχτυ λεπτών παράλληλων γραμμών), ως μετρική βάση για την ανάπτυξη άλλων κοσμημάτων, τεχνική που υποδηλώνει επιρροή από την υφαντική. Η σύνταξη των κοσμημάτων είναι αυστηρή και τυποποιημένη. Τα σχέδια των Γιούρων συγγενεύουν πολιτισμικά με την παράδοση της Στερεάς Ελλάδας αντί της Θεσσαλίας, αλλά στον γεωγραφικό τους περίγυρο έχουν ομοιότητα με την κεραμική του γειτονικού νεολιθικού οικισμού του Αγίου Πέτρου, σε σημείο που να μπορούν να θεωρηθούν ίδιας προέλευσης. Στο Μέρος 1 αναλύονται τα δεδομένα για τα οποία γίνεται απόπειρα σύνθεσης στο Μέρος 2. Προτείνεται η εκδοχή ότι ο βαθμός επιρροής της υφαντικής στην κεραμική υποδηλώνει ότι κεραμείς και υφαντές ανήκαν στην ίδια ομάδα, μέσα στην οποία οι δύο τέχνες ασκούνταν παράλληλα και όπου πηλός και ύφασμα αντάλλασσαν μεταξύ τους τα ερυθρά σχέδια. Τα αγγεία του σπηλαίου πρέπει να αντιστοιχούν σε σύντομες επισκέψεις στο σπήλαιο, στο πλαίσιο εθίμων. Το δέος που προκαλούσε το σπήλαιο και η αφθονία του σε νερό θα ήταν ο σκοπός των επισκέψεων που μπορεί να περιλάμβανε φύλαξη ή επεξεργασία και κατανάλωση τροφίμων και ενδεχομένως τελείωνε με τελετουργική θραύση και επιλεκτική απόθεση κοντά στον σταλαγμίτη

Koutroulou Magoula in Phthiotida, Central Greece: A Middle Neolithic Tell Site in Context

In this chapter, we present some of the main preliminary results of the Koutroulou Magoula Archaeology and Archaeological Ethnography Project (begun in 2009), centered around the tell site of Koutroulou Magoula in northern Phthiotida, central Greece. The main occupation phase dates to the first two centuries of the sixth millennium B.C. This proved to be an extremely well-preserved, architecturally elaborate site, the inhabitants of which shaped its space of habitation through a range of substantial and probably communal works, such as terraces and perimeter ditches. The site is also materially rich, and various categories of data are currently under analysis and study, including a large and diverse collection of clay figurines (ca. 350 items to date). We then continue by placing the Middle Neolithic tell settlement in its wider social context, relying in particular on two categories of data: chipped stone and pottery (examined both macroscopically and through petrographic study). The analysis of chipped stone to date has shown that the site participated in a wide network of exchange and circulation of materials, information, and ideas. More than half of the assemblage (58 percent) is made of obsidian, most (if not all) of which has all the visual characteristics of coming from the Cycladic island of Melos. The rest of the material consists of different kinds of flint coming from various distant localities: from the Pindus Mountains to Albania and Bulgaria, and even further to the north. The analysis of pottery, on the other hand, attests to a more localized pattern of circulation and exchange. Painted pottery in particular gives the impression of a local production, with affinities to Achilleion, but also to pottery from Tzani Magoula, Pazaraki, and areas belonging to the so-called West Thessalian group. In pottery terms, Koutroulou Magoula seemed to have interacted more with the Thessalian tradition, and not with that of southern central Greece. An exception here is the few drinking vessels that show decoration patterns pointing to other “cultural” traditions (e.g. geometric patterns from southern central Greece). This macroscopic picture seems to be confirmed by petrographic analysis of both pottery vessels and figurines