The wider area of Lake Orestiada, the lake of Kastoria, in northern Greece, is full of natural beauty and attractions, the village Dispilio being a standout feature as a result of prehistoric interest.
A rather large village, 620 metres above sea level and with a population of 1,061, according to a 2011 census, Dispilio is situated close to provincial city Kastoria, just 4km away, along the regional highway that carries on for the town Argos Orestiko. Dispilio offers a number of accommodation choices, if you are interested in staying overnight or spending a few days at this destination, but most travellers opt for daytrips.
In the surrounding region, at the southern section of Kastoria’s lake, an archaeological site features a replica of a prehistoric settlement from 5620 BC. It is a unique attraction in Greece, offering an impression of a prehistoric settlement now proven to be one of Europe’s most significant and oldest of its kind.
Precious impression of prehistoric everyday life
The prehistoric Dispilio settlement was discovered by accident in 1932, at the southern section of Kastoria’s lake, a location referred to as Nisi by locals. Water levels had dropped and locals began noticing protruding wooden sticks, which seemed inexplicable.
However, many years elapsed before academic research was conducted in the area. Researchers from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki commenced research work in 1992. The work conducted became exemplary for archaeological studies in Greece, serving as a desirable model for lake settlement excavation work.
Research work conducted over the years at the anonymous settlement in the Dispilio area led experts to believe its discoveries offered an impression of a prehistoric world stretching back beyond the more familiar period of antiquity. The lakeside area was first inhabited as far back as 7000 BC, during the Neolithic period, discoveries have confirmed.
It appears to have been settled more recently, circa 5620 BC, and is believed to have existed until the middle of the 4th millennium BC, hosting a large population.
Excavation work has revealed a sedentary way of life based on livestock farming and fishing, the settled local population living in caves made of destructible materials. The discovery of various objects, including ceramic cups, stone tools and pirogue remains, has indicated what everyday life was like for our distant ancestors.
As noted above, the carefully presented replica of the prehistoric settlement, offering an impression of it during its peak, around 5000 BC, is the main attraction at Dispilio. Its archaeological park, open daily (9am-5pm, tel. +30 24670-21910), is based around eight life-size caves on platforms by the lake.
The archaeological park’s display includes replicas of everyday objects discovered during excavation work. The originals are hosted at the Dispilio museum, in the modern-day village, a few kilometres away.
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