The importance of Athens and Attica for ancient Greek history is well-known. From the Late Geometric period onwards, a vibrant city-state flourished here, and it gradually played a leading role in the Aegean, introduced democracy to the vocabulary of politics, and produced some of the finest artistic and philosophical achievements of western civilization.
Archaeologists and historians have studied exhaustively Athenian culture and society during historical periods. By contrast, the prehistory of Attica is still poorly known. Important discoveries have been made over the past two decades, yet a comprehensive synthesis of new and old data is still lacking; equally elusive is our appreciation of the profound natural advantages of Attica and their significance for the rise of Bronze Age polities, not the least during the Mycenaean era.
A number of recent volumes and conference proceedings have brought to scholarly attention new finds from excavations by the Greek Archaeological Service. At the same time, research projects by Greek and foreign academic institutions have shed light on various aspects of prehistoric Attic economy and culture.
This conference is meant to offer the opportunity for more synthetic approaches, which will bring together old and new excavation data, place it into a wider archaeological context, and address major historical questions. In particular, we encourage contributions focusing on:
– the geology, geomorphology and environment of prehistoric Attica;
– relative and absolute chronology, and the study of transitional phases;
– land use and settlement patterns;
– funerary architecture and practices;
– political economy and social organization;
– evidence of cult activities;
– metallurgy and its impact on Attic economy;
– contacts with other areas in the Aegean and beyond;
– the place of Attica in the Mycenaean world;
– evidence of disruption or/and continuity at the end of the Bronze Age;
Papers will be 20’ long and will be published in a proceedings volume. Greek and English are the official languages of the conference.
Original research papers and scientific studies will be given priority. Excavations reports are also welcome if they contain new, contextualized material. Theoretical papers will be approved if contributing essentially to our understanding of Attic prehistory
Papers not accepted for presentation may be included in poster-sessions (depending on the number of participants).
Abstract Submissions
Please submit a 250 word abstract, in Greek or English, including title, name, affiliation and a description of your presentation to:
Deadline: 20 Μay 2014
Organizers
Prof. Naya Polychronakou-Sgouritsa, University of Athens
Prof. James C. Wright, American School of Classical Studies
Dr Nikolas Papadimitriou, Museum of Cycladic Art
Dr Sylvian Fachard, Swiss NSF / University of Geneva
Scientific committee
Dr Eleni Andrikou, 2nd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities
Dr Eleni Banou , 3rd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities
Prof. Michael Cosmopoulos, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Dr Stella Chryssoulaki, 26th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities
Dr Sylvian Fachard, Swiss NSF/ University of Geneva
Dr Olga Kakavogianni, Emerita Ephor of Antiquities
Dr Evangelos Kakavogiannis, Emeritus Ephor of Antiquities
Prof. Maria Pantelidou-Gofa, Professor Emerita, University of Athens
Dr Nikolas Papadimitriou, Museum of Cycladic Art
Prof. Naya Polychronakou-Sgouritsa, University of Athens
Prof. James C. Wright, American School of Classical Studies
Evaluation of proposals and final approval will be made by the Scientific Committee of the conference by early July 2014.
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