Archaeological Society of Athens

Archaeological Society of Athens. The Archaeological Society of Athens was founded in 1837 by a group of intellectuals, including Alexander Rizos Rangavis and Andreas Moustoxydis, with the aim of promoting the study and preservation of Greek antiquities, such as those found in Delphi, Olympia, and Epidaurus. The society's establishment was influenced by the Greek War of Independence and the subsequent efforts to promote Hellenic culture, as seen in the works of Adamantios Korais and Dionysios Solomos. The society's early years were marked by collaborations with prominent archaeologists, including Heinrich Schliemann, who excavated Troy and Mycenae, and Wilhelm Dörpfeld, who worked on the Acropolis of Athens.

● History

The Archaeological Society of Athens has a long and rich history, dating back to the early 19th century, when Otto of Greece ruled the country. During this period, the society was involved in various excavations, including those at Corinth, Delos, and Thasos, which were led by archaeologists such as Panagis Kavvadias and Valerios Stais. The society also played a significant role in the discovery of important archaeological sites, including the Palace of Knossos in Crete, which was excavated by Arthur Evans. The society's history is closely tied to that of the National Archaeological Museum, Athens, which was founded in 1829 and houses a vast collection of artifacts from Ancient Greece, including the Antikythera mechanism and the Venus de Milo. The society has also collaborated with other institutions, such as the French School at Athens and the German Archaeological Institute at Athens, on various projects, including excavations at Santorini and Thessaloniki.

● Organization

The Archaeological Society of Athens is a non-profit organization, governed by a board of directors, which includes prominent archaeologists and scholars, such as Manolis Andronikos and Yannis Tavlakis. The society is headquartered in Athens, Greece, and has a membership that includes archaeologists, historians, and other scholars from around the world, including Nikolaos Kontopoulos and Dimitris Plantzos. The society is divided into several departments, including the Department of Excavations, the Department of Publications, and the Department of Museum Affairs, which oversee the society's various activities, including excavations at Vergina and Pella, and the publication of scholarly journals, such as the Archaiologikon Deltion. The society also has a library, which houses a vast collection of books and journals on archaeology and related fields, including works by Johann Joachim Winckelmann and Christian Gottlob Heyne.

● Publications

The Archaeological Society of Athens publishes several scholarly journals, including the Archaiologikon Deltion and the Ergon, which feature articles on various aspects of archaeology, including excavations at Thebes and Argos, and the study of Ancient Greek art and architecture. The society also publishes monographs and other books on archaeological topics, including the Corpus of Greek Sculpture and the Atlas of Ancient Greek Topography. The society's publications are highly regarded in the field of archaeology and are widely read by scholars, including Anthony Snodgrass and Ian Morris. The society has also collaborated with other publishers, such as the Oxford University Press and the Cambridge University Press, on various projects, including the publication of The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Greece and The Oxford Handbook of Engineering and Technology in the Classical World.

● Excavations

The Archaeological Society of Athens has been involved in numerous excavations throughout Greece, including those at Mycenae, Tiryns, and Pylos, which were led by archaeologists such as Heinrich Schliemann and Carl Blegen. The society has also excavated sites in other parts of the world, including Cyprus and Turkey, in collaboration with institutions such as the Cyprus Department of Antiquities and the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The society's excavations have led to the discovery of many important archaeological finds, including the Mask of Agamemnon and the Vaphio Cups, which are now housed in museums such as the National Archaeological Museum, Athens and the British Museum. The society has also used advanced technologies, such as geophysical survey and 3D scanning, in its excavations, as seen in the projects at Santorini and Akrotiri.

● Museum

The Archaeological Society of Athens has a museum, which houses a collection of artifacts from the society's excavations, including finds from Delphi, Olympia, and Epidaurus. The museum is located in Athens, Greece, and is open to the public, offering guided tours and educational programs, such as those led by Dimitris Pandermalis and Maria Viglaki-Sofianou. The museum's collection includes a wide range of artifacts, including pottery, sculpture, and jewelry, which provide insight into the culture and daily life of Ancient Greece, as seen in the works of Homer and Herodotus. The society has also collaborated with other museums, such as the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, on various projects, including exhibitions and conservation efforts, such as the Restoration of the Acropolis.

● Notable Members

The Archaeological Society of Athens has had many notable members throughout its history, including Panagis Kavvadias, Valerios Stais, and Manolis Andronikos, who have made significant contributions to the field of archaeology, including the discovery of the Tomb of Philip II and the Vergina treasures. Other notable members include Nikolaos Kontopoulos, Dimitris Plantzos, and Yannis Tavlakis, who have worked on various projects, including excavations at Santorini and Thessaloniki, and the publication of scholarly journals, such as the Archaiologikon Deltion. The society has also honored notable archaeologists, such as Heinrich Schliemann and Arthur Evans, with awards and lectures, including the Schliemann Lecture and the Evans Memorial Lecture. The society's members have also been involved in various international collaborations, including the International Council of Museums and the European Association of Archaeologists, and have received awards, such as the Prix de Rome and the Balzan Prize.

Category:Archaeological organizations