Remembering Colin Renfrew: a life's work in the Cyclades and beyond

Описание: Colin Renfrew, professor at the University of Cambridge, famed internationally as an
archaeologist with a special interest in Greek prehistory and a profound affection for Greece,
died in Cambridge on 24 November 2024. A former Chair of the British School at Athens and
an Honorary Member of the Archaeological Society of Athens, he was also closely associated
with the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. Renfrew
first came to Greece in 1963, wrote his PhD on Cycladic prehistory, and went on to excavate
at Saliagos (Antiparos), Sitagroi (Macedonia), Phylakopi (Melos), Markiani (Amorgos), and
Keros, leaving us exemplary publications of his excavations. His 1972 volume The Emergence
of Civilisation revolutionised Aegean prehistory, and his many other high-calibre publications
cement his place in the pantheon of archaeologists of Greece and the world. Moreover, Colin
Renfrew was distinguished for his active stand against the international illicit trade in
antiquities, founding at the University of Cambridge the Illicit Antiquities Research Centre, and
showing particular sensitivity towards the orphaned Early Cycladic antiquities that formed a
principal focus of his scholarly work.

We invite you to join us in honouring his memory and remembering his immense contribution
to Greece, Greek culture, and Greek archaeology, and his immeasurable impact on the
development of the study of Early Cycladic culture.

Programme

The speakers will be introduced by Professor Rebecca Sweetman, Director of the British School at
Athens.

Opening Addresses

Lina Mendoni, Minister of Culture
Matthew Lodge HE the British Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic
Olympia Vikatou, General Director of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage
Demetris Athanasoulis, Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades
Rebecca Sweetman, Director, British School at Athens

Speeches

Christos Doumas: Colin Renfrew’s long involvement in Greece and his early work in the
1960s
Marisa Marthari: Colin Renfrew’s work in the Cyclades and on Cycladic archaeology
Michael Boyd: Colin Renfrew and Keros
Evi Margaritis: Colin Renfrew and archaeological science in Greece and worldwide
Cyprian Broodbank: the Εmergence, and Colin Renfrew’s worldwide significance seen
through the lens of Greece

Helena Renfrew-Knight and Magnus Renfrew will offer a few words of personal thanks to
the speakers.

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