Ruins of a large fortified prehistoric settlement on the top of a hill called Kremasti or Kremastos (old name: Asar-Tepe) between the villages of Ergani and Xylagani in the prefecture of Rodopi.
At the highest points, a few Byzantine additions to the buildings and fortifications can be seen.

History

Excavations were carried out in the acropolis of Kremastos in 4 periods (1969, 1972, 1979 and 2010).

The analysis of the stratigraphy and ceramic findings leads to the conclusion that the acropolis was inhabited during the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age, i.e. between 1200 and 900 BC.

Professor G. Bakalakis had proposed the identification of the acropolis with one of the 3 known cities of the Cikones Thacians, Ismara. The Cikones – according to Homer – were an ancient Thracian tribe, who during the Trojan War were on the side of the Trojans.

The main phase of habitation and use of the acropolis was prehistoric (or, in any case, pre-classical). However, it was also used later, during the Byzantine Period, but we have no more information on this. We have no reference to it from historical sources. It was probably abandoned early, perhaps around the 6th or 7th century.

Structure, Fortification & Buildings

The acropolis is located on a large plateau (slightly sloping to the south) at the top of the hill, which is protected by steep cliffs from everywhere except the eastern side, which is relatively more accessible.
The perimeter of the fortification was approximately 1150 meters. It encompasses an area of ​​81,000sq.m.

The rocks of the hill are incorporated into the fortification enclosure. The gaps between the rocks are covered by walls (in 7 sections) built with irregular stones.
On the eastern accessible side of the acropolis a large pile of stones comes from an additional fortification structure, which was found to be a square tower built on top of an older circular tower. Both towers (the old and the new) had lime mortar in their masonry.
An additional internal wall isolates the highest part of the plateau and creates together with the southern part of the enclosure the Upper Acropolis.
In the middle of the southern side there is a gate with a small quadrilateral propylon.

In general the walls are preserved in very poor condition, at a maximum height of 1.30m and a width of 1.40m while for the most part they are piles of stones. The inner wall of the upper acropolis has a maximum height of 1m.

In the NW corner of the upper acropolis there was a large ellipsoidal building, which is assumed to have been the “palace” - the residence of the ruler.

In the acropolis there is a ruin of a building belonging to the Byzantine Period. There are also additions to the fortification that appear to be medieval, as clay has been used as a binding material.

Sources