Archaeological excavations conducted since 2004 in the prefecture of Grevena, northwest Greece, and the finds unearthed have provided valuable information on the region's archaeological identity, including proof of a Mycenaean presence. The findings were unveiled during a special event hosted by the local municipality.

Ancient Timfea was located south of Orestis (Kastoria prefecture) and west of Elimiotis (Aeani, Kozani prefecture). Its southern boundaries were Mt. Chasia (or far more south to the springs of Pineios River), while the Pindus Mountain Range was at its western borders. The site was part of ancient Upper Macedonia, in modern Greece's western Macedonia region.

This is the first time a Mycenaean presence was proven in the region through archaeological excavations, while the ancient Macedonian ceramic art also identified is represented mainly by the Macedonians and Dorians. The ancient tombs, with the rich offerings, point to the existence of settlements with characteristics of permanent urban life, high living and cultural standards and frequent contact with southern Greek states and kingdoms.

Earlier, excavations in Aeani and the rest of the Kozani prefecture showed the existence of active and well-organised settlements in the ancient upper Macedonia geographical area, long before the major expansion of the ancient Macedonian kingdom under Philip II.

Intensive archaeological excavations were conducted in the regions of Prionia and Knidi since 2004 as a result of the construction of the Egnatia motorway and the operation of an argil extraction plant, respectively, while additional excavations are currently underway in the Aliakmonas riverbed, at the construction site of the Hilarion Dam project. 

Caption: A portion of the closed Egnatia motorway, which spans the breadth of northern Greece, is shown in Grevena prefecture, in a file photo dated Saturday, May 30, 2009. ANA-MPA / A. BELTES