The Franchthi cave has been inhabited for more than 35,000 years, from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic Age. During this latter period it appears that the cave was inhabited and served as a secondary-assistant settlement to another one, located lower on the hill and closer to shore, since at that time the sea level was lower and did not reach the cave as is the case now. This is the settlement our research aims to reveal at the bottom of the sea.
During the American excavations of the 1960’s and 1970’s in the Franchthi cave, sea measurements had already been made at the bay of Koilada in search of this Neolithic settlement. This work has never continued up to now.
Recent EUA research has been using modern technology (mono-beam echo sounder) and a group of Greek and Swiss archaeologists managed to improve previous measurements creating a detailed map of the seabed surface, paving thus the way for study and excavation in the region. This will enrich our knowledge of this very important archaeological site.

Funding: Ministry of Culture and Sports, Swiss Archaeological School