347-360

Recording and assessment of the historical site of lime production in the area of Asvestochori (“Lime Village"), Thessaloniki

• Ζαχαροπούλου, Γεωργία

The paper presents the findings of a survey into lime kilns in the area of Asvesto- chori, which is sited close to the ancient town of Thessaloniki in northern Greece. It also summarizes the recording of lime kilns with historical and technological significance in a map, includes an assessment of the natural, historical and technological values incorporated to the site, and finally presents the perspectives of the area.The first settlement was established with the name Neochori (meaning «new village») sometime between 1580-1600 after a special order of the sultan of the Ottoman Empire. It is documented that about 1680-1700 part of the population has already started the lime production. It was then that Neochori was renamed to Asvestochori («lime village») or Kiretskioi (in Turkish language).The area of Asvestochori constitutes an extremely interesting and rare historical, natural and technological entity. In a relatively manageable space it features an assemblage of representative, pre-industrial, early-industrial and industrial examples of the world history of lime production and it also developed fully vertically-integrated production, from quarrying the limestone through to the final product. According to international printed sources, the design and the firing of lime kilns remained almost the same up to the late-nineteenth century. Therefore, the surviving pre-industrial kilns and the relevant quarries completely covers the pre-industrial period. The two Hoffman lime kilns belong to the early industrial period, while the actual operating kilns represent the technology of the 1970s.The life cycle of the historic quarries of Asvestochori soon end, after three hundred years. The active lime companies look embarrassed at the future. In case they will decide to move close to the new quarrying zones, it is a great challenge for their industrial installations to be included in the historical site, and be protected. It is a prerequisite for the holistic approach and wise management of its natural, historical and technological values.

• History and Archaeology

• Ανασκαφές (Αρχαιολογία)
• Αρχαιολογία

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