Description: Despite being one of the largest and richest Ancient Greek colonies in the Black sea region, Apollonia Pontica (present-day Sozopol, Bulgria) was famous in Antiquity because of the colossal statue of Apollo by Calamis. According to Pliny the Elder (Pliny 34.29) and Strabo (Strabo, 7.319) the 13-meter high bronze sculpture cost 500 Talents. It was raised in the fifth  century BC in/in front of the temple dedicated to Apollo Ietros (the Healer) - patron deity of Apollonia Pontica. In 72 BC the Romans  under Marcus Lucullus sacked the city and the colossal sculpture was transported to Rome as a trophy. It was exhibited for several centuries on the Capitoline Hill. During the Early Christian period it was lost - probably destroyed as many other pagan artefacts were.

Epigraphic sources mention that the temple of Apollo was situated on an island, identified by most of the scholars with St. Kirik Island - the closest one to the ancient city. However, until recently there was no archaeological evidence suggesting where the temple was situated.

The tiny island of St. Kirik is connected with the mainland  and the Old Town Quarter of Sozopol by a short and narrow breakwater (built in 1927). Its name originates  from the medieval monastery dedicated to St. Kirik and St.Yulita (St. Cyricus and his mother St. Julitta) that once existed there. The first archaeological survey on the island was conducted in 1904 by the French consul and scholar L. Degrand. The results from the excavations were never published and many precious artefacts from Archaic and Classical Greek period found there were transported to France and exhibited in the Louvre. For approximately 100 years after that the territory of St. Kirik Island was used as a military zone by the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence. In 2005 the island was demilitarized and in 2009 the Apollonia Pontica Excavation Team lead by Dr. Krastina Panayotova restarted the excavations.  For the last years the team unearthed there:

• A layer from the Archaic Period, most probably a ritual pit (bothros) with rich ånsemble of finds - several aribaloi (small pottery containers for perfumes, one with form of a bullhead and one with remains of perfume or make up), two alabastroi (pottery and alabaster containers for pårfumes), a fiala (bronze vessel), numerous pottery shards, bones, etc;
• Several Early Christian (V-th century AD) graves;
• A Hellenistic ritual fireplace with remains of a wreath;
• Architectural structures;
• Numerous finds, including: several lamps from Archaic and Roman period, numerous pottery shards from Archaic, Hellenistic, Roman and Late Roman period, fragments of marble decorative elements from Archaic and Hellenistic Public buildings, coins, animal and human bones, etc.

Language: English
Special requirements: The project is not recommended for individuals with solar allergies or other special illnesses that might be exacerbated during the intensive outdoor activities. The average summer temperatures in the area are 25-35 C or higher. All participants should bring clothes and cosmetics suitable for hot and sunny weather bear in mind that chilly and windy days are very rare but not uncommon. All participants are expected to have some (at least theoretical) background in archaeological field techniques and methods. Participants will use the tools and equipment available at the site and are not expected to bring any additional equipment.
Experience required: No

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

Lectures, workshops and field trainings:

Historical and cultural context of the site

• History of Greek Colonisation of the Western Black Sea Coast (seventh - fifth century BC);
• History of Apollonia Pontica in Antiquity (seventh century BC - sixth century AD);
• Technology, Typology and Chronology of Ancient Greek and Hellenistic pottery with examples from Apollonia Pontica;
• Ancient Greek Architecture with Examples from the Western Black Sea Coast; 
• Ancient Greek Cemeteries and Funeral Rites with examples from the Western Black Sea Coast.