The construction of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) in Northern Greece revealed ancient treasures, some of which were recently exhibited in the city of Drama.
Since 2022, the TAP pipeline has been transporting natural gas from the Caspian Sea to Europe, traversing thirteen regional units in Northern Greece—from Evros to Kastoria. This ambitious undertaking has not only advanced energy infrastructure but also paved the way for unprecedented archaeological research, unearthing over four hundred previously unknown sites from prehistoric to Ottoman periods.
As Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni aptly noted, “In the case of large-scale… infrastructure projects…the encounter between the creations of today and the tangible evidence of history becomes almost inevitable.” She emphasized the constitutional obligation of both the state and private entities to ensure cultural heritage is protected while facilitating modern development.
Between 2016 and 2019, under the central coordination of the Directorate of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Antiquities and funded by the TAP company, the locally competent Ephorates of Antiquities meticulously investigated these sites. Despite the inherent complexities of such a large-scale endeavor, the Ministry of Culture and Sports successfully completed the archaeological research within a short time frame, significantly enriching our understanding of Northern Greece’s historical tapestry.
Pipeline expansion in Greece revealed ancient treasures
The past five years have seen equally significant archaeological finds emerge during the development of Drama’s natural gas distribution network. These discoveries have shed new light on the city’s long and often unknown history, revealing uninterrupted human presence from the Hellenistic era through the Byzantine period.
Excavations have uncovered residential structures, sections of cobblestone streets, household utensils, ceramics, coins, and pipes, all offering valuable insights into the daily lives of ancient Drama’s inhabitants. Among the most compelling finds are two unmarked tombs. One, believed to be that of a woman aged 16 to 22, contained remarkable offerings, including a silver spatula, a bronze mirror, a glass vase, and a silver coin. Another pit grave yielded twelve bronze coins from the colony of Philippi.
These fascinating discoveries were recently presented at “Underground Drama,” a special event co-organized by the Hellenic Gas Distribution Company Enaon EDA and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Drama at the city’s archaeological museum. Vasiliki Poulioudi, head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Drama, underscored the profound impact of these finds: “The cultural heritage of the place is also its identity. Consequently, the protection and promotion of cultural heritage is a sacred goal for all of us.”
Partnership between technology and culture
Poulioudi highlighted Enaon EDA’s crucial role in bringing these previously unknown sites to light, including five new sites identified in 2025 with prehistoric Hellenistic vessels, ovens, and kilns that illuminate the daily lives of those who lived in Drama millennia ago.
Francesca Zanninotti, CEO of Enaon EDA, referred to the unearthed cultural wealth and the new prospects for its promotion, noting, “This partnership between modern technology and culture shows how development and heritage protection can go hand in hand.”
Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis echoed this sentiment, praising the “genuine collaboration between the public and private sectors, with tangible results,” which bridges “innovation and culture, energy and history.”
The discoveries in Drama, like those along the TAP pipeline, stand as a testament to the fact that technological progress can serve not as an obstacle but as a unique opportunity for reconnecting with the past, enriching cultural heritage and fostering future development.
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