Since 1985 the systematic excavation of the Department of Archaeology and Art History of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens at modern Kardamaina on the island of Kos has brought to light the sanctuary of Apollo and Hercules of the ancient demos of Halasarna and part a substantial part of the early Christian settlement that was later established in the same location.

Apollo’s sanctuary was the second most important on Kos after that of Asklipieios. The revealed temple, buildings of the Hellenistic and Roman periods and the large number of inscriptions have provided us with substantial information on the history of the sanctuary and the performed cult. In the fifth century AD a Christian settlement was established immediately above the ruins of the ancient sanctuary. It must have been rather prosperous and prominent as indicated by four basilicas. The settlement was abandoned in the seventh century AD following a disastrous earthquake and the fear of Arab raids from the sea.

A large group of researchers have undertaken the difficult yet challenging task to study the rich archaeological material from the site while a series of mainly preliminary publications has already made it known to the international scientific community. Main aim of the interdisciplinary research project ‘THALES - UoA - The Apollo Sanctuary and the Late Roman Settlement in Halasarna (Kos). The history of an ancient sanctuary, its decline and its final transformation into a Late Roman/Early Christian settlement’ is the conservation and archaeometric examination of the archaeological findings, but above all their systematic publication in a monograph series where both the immovable (buildings, temples, houses, etc.) and movable monuments (sculpture, pottery, glass, metal and clay gadgets etc.) will be presented.

General description

Aims and objectives

Research teams

Selected list of publications