Archaeology
Archaeological site
The Agios Ioannis Lukas Bay is of great archaeological interest as human activity there dates back to 3500 B.C and carries through, intermittently until the old Christianity period (6th c. AD).
Recent excavation works, on the Western part of the shore, which were financed by Thassos Grand Resort, unearthed several settlements of the 4th millennium (3500-3000 BC) assumed to be a seasonal settlement as nearby streams would have not allowed habitation during the wet winter months. The artefacts recovered, an oven, some pottery and animal bones have allowed archeologists to reach the conclusion that life in the settlement depended directly on fishing and farming due to the specific features of the area. Moreover, spindles that were also found in the area show us that the inhabitants also practice d weaving.
The prehistoric settlement which was recovered and used till the Late Roman period, was an olive oil mill and consists of two parts of a large press and an olive oil mill in the shape of a trapezium, indicating the presence of an olive oil processing factory. By walking nearby you may notice the foundations of a large building with several rooms some of which were used as storage facilities as well as the remains of a house which dates back to the same period. Such seasonal settlements were common during that period and determined by the harvest and processing of olives.
On the two hills located eastwards and westwards of the bay, there are remains of two towers reminding us that life and activity in the region did not stop between the prehistoric and Roman periods. The circular tower to the east dates back to the archaic period (6th c. BC) and the square one in the western side is typical of the classical-Hellenistic period (5th-4th c. BC) allow us to conclude that for many centuries the bay of Agios Ioannis Lukas was an important port which should be preserved. Both these towers were mainly used as observatories at that time. We should not forget that the whole region in the south of the island has been known since antiquity for its marble quarries and that until today, Thassos is famous for the quality of its marble.
So anyone walking along the bay of Agios Ioannis Lukas at Thassos Grand Resort unravels the thread of thousands years long history which reveals the diverse nature of those that once lived in this area, their lives, habits, needs and relations and the environment surrounding them.classical-Hellenistic period (5th-4th c. BC) allow us to conclude that for many centuries the bay of Agios Ioannis Lukas was an important port which should be preserved. Both these towers were mainly used as observatories at that time. We should not forget that the whole region in the south of the island has been known since antiquity for its marble quarries and that until today, Thassos is famous for the quality of its marble.
So anyone walking along the bay of Agios Ioannis Lukas unravels the thread of thousands years long history which reveals the diverse nature of those that once lived in this area, their lives, habits, needs and relations and the environment surrounding them.