Archaeology on the Warfront

Poster for the Workshop "Archaeology on the Warfront"

About the workshop

Key information

  • Full title: Archaeology on the Warfront. From the adventurous history of the Smyrna Antiquities Department to the evacuation of the Cyprus Museum during the days of the Turkish Invasion
  • Dates: May 10-11, 2025, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
  • Location: CHS Greece, Nafplio
  • Organized by: CHS Greece
  • Open to: All (limited number of places)
  • Application period: March 13-April 13, 2025
  • Academic coordination: Kostas Paschalidis (Dr. Archaeologist, Curator of Antiquities, Hellenic National Archaeological Museum)
  • Activity administration: Matina Goga (CHS Greece)
  • Contact number and email: (+30) 27520 47030, int. line 1, matina.goga@chs.harvard.edu

Overview

The Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece organizes the workshop titled "Archaeology on the Warfront. From the adventurous history of the Smyrna Antiquities Department to the evacuation of the Cyprus Museum during the days of the Turkish Invasion." CHS Greece, through its annual workshop series, aims to support Hellenic Studies and the broader field of Humanities, and to offer intergenerational, interdisciplinary, lifelong learning opportunities to the public.

In this workshop, we will explore the power, significance, and fate of material culture remains in wartime environments, through historical examples from Greek, Asia Minor, and Cypriot antiquities during the most turbulent and dark chapters of 20th-century history. Our exploration will begin with defining basic concepts of the monuments themselves (movable - immovable, material - intangible), their significance in the national narrative of the managing states, and the re-contextualization they underwent in conditions of offensive or defensive war.

The varied historical examples we will attempt to address have specific as well as common characteristics. Topics include the Greek archaeological policy in Northern Epirus during the Balkan Wars, the establishment of the Smyrna Antiquities Department (1919-1922) and the rich and adventurous activities of Greek archaeologists in the Smyrna Occupation and Administration Zone, the fate of the Evangelical School Museum during the days of the Catastrophe, the evacuation of archaeological museums in Greece on the eve of the German Occupation, damages to museums and looting by occupying forces, the monuments and museums of Greece during the December Events and the Civil War, as well as the destruction of monuments and looting of entire Collections of the Republic of Cyprus during the days of the Attila invasion, the evacuation of the Cyprus Museum and the unknown operation to enclose the exhibits of Greek museums in August 1974. These are the historical episodes that aim to set the framework for a broad discussion about the fate of humanity's vulnerable assets in conditions of generalized violence and threat.

Thematic areas – Workshop structure

The approach to the topic will be organized around the following thematic axes:

1st day

  • Definition of the basic concepts of the topic: movable-immovable monument, Museum, material-intangible culture, etc.
  • To whom does the past belong? Our relationship with antiquity and its remnants.
  • The use and fate of monuments in conditions of offensive and defensive war.
  • Historical episodes in the first half of the 20th century:
    1. The Greek archaeological policy in Northern Epirus during the Balkan Wars (1912-1913).
    2. The unknown history of the Smyrna Antiquities Department (1919-1922).

2nd day

  • Definition and discussion of the concepts of relic, as well as the collective and individual 'sacred.'
  • Historical episodes in the second half of the 20th century:
    1. The fate of Greece’s Museums and monuments on the eve of and during the Occupation and Civil War.
    2. Museums, monuments, and Collections of the Republic of Cyprus during the days of the Turkish Invasion.
    3. The unknown operations to safeguard Greek Museums during the days of the Attila invasion.
  • Culture and war. Two incompatible concepts that coexist around the world. Current international examples.
  • People and monuments at risk. Discussion on the scale of priorities in historical examples and in our time.

During the workshop, the coordinator will introduce the above topics, emphasizing historical examples enriched with unknown details and archival treasures, along with personal narratives collected from various sources. Participants will actively engage in discussions and delve into the subject with an experiential exercise-workshop, placing them in the position of managers of the past in wartime conditions.

Learn more about the participation process of the workshop on Archaeology on the Warfront (in Greek).

Accessibility in our workshops

The Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its workshops and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please email matina.goga@chs.harvard.edu or call (+30) 27520 47030 and then press "1," in advance of your participation. Requests for accommodations should be made as far in advance as possible. We will explore each request on a case-by-case basis. However, please note that all services are subject to availability.