ABDERA
Place ]Abdera
Location ] Greece
The site of Abdera was settled in the middle of the 7th century B.C. by colonists from Clazomenae and in 545 B.C. by the inhabitants of Teos. It soon grew to a prosperous city, with a fortification wall, harbour, dockyards and sanctuaries. This was the city of Democritos, and was host to the army of Xerxes. In the middle of the 4th century B.C. a new section was added to city on the south side, built in the Hippodamian system, with strong fortification walls, an acropolis, two harbours and workshop areas. The city flourished until the Roman period, when it lost its importance and the defensive walls were abolished. During the Byzantine period the site was used as a cemetery.
The fortification walls and the buildings of the south enceinte (later city) were then uncovered. The same area and the ancient cemeteries were later excavated by the 19th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. The Archaic city inside the north fortification wall and its cemetery have been systematically excavated since 1981.The fortification walls and the buildings of the south enceinte (later city) were then uncovered. The same area and the ancient cemeteries were later excavated by the 19th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. The Archaic city inside the north fortification wall and its cemetery have been systematically excavated since 1981.