The Stelida Naxos Archeological Project is an international research project undertaken by the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports, with the participation of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades, in order to study and excavate the remains of a Bronze Age settlement on the island of Naxos. The project began in 2009 and is expected to continue until 2020.
The Stelida site is located on a promontory overlooking the bay of Saint George on the north coast of Naxos. It covers an area of approximately 30 hectares and contains the remains of two Bronze Age settlements, one dating to the Early Helladic period (3000-2000 BC) and the other to the Late Helladic IIIB period (1600-1100 BC). The site was first excavated in 1884 by French archaeologists led by Gustave Jéquier, but since then has been largely neglected. The current project represents a major effort to investigate this important site.
The objectives of the Stelida Naxos Archeological Project are threefold: firstly, to carry out systematic excavations at the site in order to gain a better understanding of its layout and history; secondly, to conserve and restore any exposed archaeological remains; and thirdly, to promote public awareness and understanding of the site through educational programs and outreach activities.
To date, excavations have revealed two distinct phases of occupation at Stelida. The Early Helladic settlement was located on top of a hillock near the center of the promontory and consisted primarily of domestic structures arranged around a central courtyard. This phase came to an end around 2000 BC for unknown reasons. The Late Helladic IIIB settlement occupied a much larger area than its predecessors, extending down from the hilltop towards