The aims of the project are three-fold: (1) scientific, (2) educational, (3) public awareness.

The main scientific goal of the project is the excavation of the expropriated land in order to reveal the full extent of the Bronze Age settlement and cemetery, the Archaic shrine, and the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman houses. The project includes also the conservation, study and publication of the future finds as well as those deriving from the old excavations. For the prehistoric periods the excavations provide valuable evidence for the corresponding community, its character, size, demographic composition, social organization, and other aspects of their life and history. Concerning the historical periods, the architectural remains and the pottery of the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic period make highly possible that Plasi was the center of the ancient demos of Marathon, the location of which is still open to serious debate. Thus, an important goal of the project is to test the validity of this hypothesis through excavation. Moreover, according to the ancient sources (Demosthenes and Ploutarch), the settlement was destroyed by the Persian army just before the battle of Marathon (490 B.C.). It is of particular importance, therefore, to reveal the destruction layer associated with the time of the battle, test the ancient sources and provide further evidence that may throw new light to this major historical event.

Beyond the scientific goals, aim of the excavation is also to train the students of archaeology in archaeological field-work. Every year, about 120 students of archaeology, in their 4th (and final) year of studies, have the opportunity to experience the practices and methods of excavation and archaeological site management: archaeological documentation (keeping diaries, drawings and photographs), sieving, flotation, washing and sorting of pottery and finds, on-site conservation, educational activities for school-kids, public archaeology, etc.

Since the old excavations (1970) the site was abandoned, the trenches were backfilled, the area was covered by thick vegetation, and, despite the existing fence, the plot was open to trespassers and intruders. Furthermore, the excavation lies amidst houses and private properties in an area that has suffered looting activities in the past. Consequently, the third aim of the project is to raise public awareness on looting prevention and cultural heritage protection. This is achieved by the arrangement of guided tours for the public and educational activities for schools kids from Marathon and further afield.