Archaeologists have discovered a 2,500-year-old lost city in Greece.

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg and the University of Bournemouth have begun exploring the ruins at a village called Vlochos, around 300km (190 miles) north of Athens.

While some of the ruins were already known, they had been dismissed as part of an irrelevant settlement on a hill, the leader of the team, Robin Ronnlund, said in a statement.

The city’s acropolis is barely visible during a cloudy day on the Thessalian plains (SIA/EFAK/YPPOA)

He added: "A colleague and I came across the site in connection with another project last year, and we realised the great potential right away.

"The fact that nobody has ever explored the hill before is a mystery."

Fortress walls, towers and city gates are clearly visible from the air (SIA/EFAK/YPPOA)

The team, which also includes researchers from the Ephorate of Antiquities of Karditsa, found the remains of towers, walls and city gates on the summit and slopes of the hill.

They hope to avoid excavation and use methods such as ground-penetrating radar instead, which will allow them to leave the site in the same condition as when they found it.

During their first two weeks of field work in September, they have discovered an ancient pottery and coins dating back to around 500 BC.

A fragment of red-figure pottery from the late 6th century BC (SIA/EFAK/YPPOA)

Mr Ronnlund said the city appears to have flourished from the fourth to the third century BC before it was abandoned — possibly because of the Roman conquest of the area.

A second field project is planned for August next year.

He added: "Very little is known about ancient cities in the region, and many researchers have previously believed that western Thessaly was somewhat of a backwater during Antiquity.