Current Work
As well as being engaged in continuing excavations of the site, the School is involved in a number of other research projects related to Corinth. Affiliated projects and scholars are also investigating other parts of the Corinthia, the region around the city, at a variety of levels ranging from intensive survey of larger areas to excavation at specific sites. The rapid construction that occurred in the Corinthia in the recent decade is limiting the amount of land that can be studied through excavation. In response, the Corinth excavations are working to record antiquities using a variety of methods.
Environmental Remote Sensing
Since 1998, Dr. Michael Boyd of the University of Sheffield, UK, has been conducting resistivity survey under the auspices of the ASCSA. In this method of remote sensing, two probes placed in the soil measure the electrical resistance in a single square meter of earth. From the measurements a computer image is generated in which stone shows in red (high resistance) while soil is blue (low resistance), and a rough picture of features beneath the surface can be obtained. To date over 58 stremata (58,000 square meters) have been surveyed in several areas, including south of the Gymnasium; the west side of Panayia Field; and the prehistoric site of Korakou. This work aims to provide a plan of architectural density of large areas of the Corinthia. Compared to excavation, resistivity survey is quick, inexpensive and non-destructive. From the data collected, places that require further archaeological investigation can be determined. Short descriptions of the findings can be found in the excavation reports. In addition to several students from the British School at Athens, many volunteers from the ASCSA have given time to this project including Camilla MacKay, Bronwen Wickkiser, Jen Palinkas, Dorian Borbonius, Larry Myer, Joann Gulizio, Kevin Pluta, Brenda Longfellow, and Alicia Carter.
Topographic Surveying
Since 1988 the Corinth Computer Project (CCP), led by Dr. David Gilman Romano from the Mediterranean Section of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, has been involved in making a computerized architectural and topographical survey of the Roman colony of Corinth. Field work ended in 1997 and Dr. Romano is preparing material for final publication.
Corinth Excavations has continued this topographical research. We aim to compliment the work of the CCP recording antiquities throughout the region in a GIS database while expanding the data set to include geophysical data, excavation and artifact data, and many ΛΖ ephoreia rescue excavations. Preliminary work began in 2001 and in 2002 we surveyed monuments at the Amphitheater, Kraneion, the gymnasium, the Panayia Field. Several volunteers assisted, including Alicia Carter, Kostis Korelis, and Christopher Pfaff. In the winter of 2002, two regular members of the ASCSA, Jen Palinkas and Dorian Borbonus, volunteered while learning surveying skills. Work was furthered with a focus on Byzantine phases of the Forum in 2004 with Daria Gulec and Pietro Riavez. Bill Caraher of the EKAS survey generously expanded the topographical database and aerial photos in the eastern Corinthia. In 2005 and 2006 we recorded the ΛΖ ΕΠΚΑ ephoreia’s rescue excavations including the location of a post-Classical phase of the road to Sikyon, the western long wall of the Classical city walls, and an extensive cemetery of Geometric, Archaic, Classical and Roman burials. The Classical buildings I-IV, Pierene, and the Cyclopean Fountain were also re-surveyed in conjunction with the publication needs of Betsy Pemberton, Ian McPhee, and Betsey Robinson. In 2009 rescue excavations north of the Demeter Sanctuary were recorded.
Spatial data generated by Corinth Excavations is shared freely on a regular basis with students and scholars and can be requested by email to the Corinth Excavation’s architect. We eagerly await the integration of the Corinth Excavations and CCP data which will provide scholars with unprecedented spatial coverage of archaeological data of the region.
Heritage Management
A proposal for the first phase of a heritage management scheme for Corinth was completed by the ASCSA and the LZ Ephoreia of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. This was presented for consideration by the Central Archaeological Councial (KAS) at the end of July 2001. The proposal contained preliminary plans for tourist pathways and signboards, a new fence, fire hydrants, lighting, wheel chair access, and a new entrance building with hygienic bathroom facilities and presentation room. Passive conservation was addressed by directing or barring tourists away from delicate monuments, such as the fountain of Peirene. Complementing tourist paths and signboards, a new guide to the site and its environs is being written by Ben Millis.
After comments received from KAS in September 2002, a revised and expanded study was completed in May 2003 with the help of renowned architect Ioannis Vikelas. This was approved by KAS in July 2004 and received funding from the European Community Regional Council. Implementation of the plan, which includes visitor access and parking improvements, began in 2005. The study designates “sensitive” areas in the Forum which require further archaeological investigation and includes a study of materials. Designs for parking, ticketing, a new museum entrance, pathways and signage were included as well.