(For a Greek version of this page, click here).
The Bays of East Attica Regional Survey (BEARS) is an archaeological project that aims to expand scholarly knowledge about the history of the area around the modern town of Porto Rafti in eastern Attica, Greece. This website contains information about the area, the history of archaeological research in the region, and the project’s goals and progress so far.
The site also incorporates a blog that features entries written by team members about their experiences on the project. Check out our latest posts here! We try to add something new every few weeks or so, even through the dreaded hibernatory months of winter.
Porto Rafti sits astride a large bay that is divided into northern and southern sections by the peninsula of Pounta. Its entrance is punctuated by the islet of Raftis and the peninsula of Koroni. The northern half of the bay provides an excellent natural anchorage and is currently the site of the town’s main harbor.
The bay was the site of activity during many prehistoric and historical periods, especially the Early Bronze Age (EBA), the final phase of the late Bronze Age (LH IIIC), the Classical and Hellenistic periods, and the late Roman period. The main goal of the BEARS project is to clarify the exact nature of human activity around the bay during these periods. We are also investigating the history of connections and interactions between the bay and adjacent areas, including the bay of Brauron to the north.
