Irini Papageorgiou | BENAKI MUSEUM (original) (raw)

Papers by Irini Papageorgiou

Άγγελος. Αφιέρωμα στη μνήμη του Άγγελου Δεληβορριά, Mouseio Benaki, 2023

The Annual of the British School at Athens, 2016

One of a number of enigmatic depictions in the Aegean iconography of the second millenniumbceis t... more One of a number of enigmatic depictions in the Aegean iconography of the second millenniumbceis the structure painted on the south wall of the Miniature Frieze from the West House at Akrotiri, Thera. This structure covers the slope of a hill and consists of two vertical blue bands on its western edge and four horizontal blue bands, all with features indicating masonry construction. Five rows of black triangles alternate with the horizontal bands. Each triangle has a round opening in its base. Unique in Aegean iconography, it has been interpreted as a dovecote, a shipshed, a storage space, a rock-cut structure with triangular niches, a geological formation and even a stretch of land with terraces and a vineyard. In one very brief reference it has been identified with an apiary.In line with contemporary rules of perspective, certain details suggest this structure could represent an apiary on a terraced area, protected on its western edge by a wall to windward. The triangular elements ...

The fourth decade (1997-2007) of archaeological activity at Akrotiri, Thera, saw the completion o... more The fourth decade (1997-2007) of archaeological activity at Akrotiri, Thera, saw the completion of the excavation of the shafts for the foundations of the pillars of the new bioclimatic shelter, and the satisfactory progress of study of the finds. Since the presentation of our excavation and research work at regular intervals is almost and institution, one more colloquium was organized in 2007, in order to present the particularly important new discoveries and the multifaceted scientific approach to the diverse issues arising from the recent excavations. Needless to say, our obligation to make known to the scholarly community, as well as to the general public, the significant work being carried out at Akrotiri could not be met fully without the publication of the proceedings of that meeting. in 2021, fourteen years after the 2007 colloquium, our initial aim was eventually fulfilled, with the publication of the Proceedings of the Two-day Colloquium on 40 Years of Research at Akrotiri (1967-2007). This exceptionally long delay, which was due to many and varied setbacks, certainly beyond our control, in no way diminishes the scientific interest of this volume, the contributions to which are the fruit of many years of research and experience in the scientific field, offering a rich body of new material and expressing interesting interpretations and fresh ideas. indeed, in order to reach as wide a readership as possible, it was decided to publish the book in english. The grouping of the articles in this volume in five thematic units follows the programme of the papers presented at the two-day colloquium. The introductory chapter 40 Years of Research, which precedes, is the compte rendu of work at Akrotiri over 40 consecutive years: excavation, conservation, documentation, infrastructure, management, protection and enhancement. The first thematic unit, Stratigraphy-Chronology, deals with the geology and terrain of the area in which the prehistoric settlement at Akrotiri developed, and sketches the gradual cultural development of the settlement during the Neolithic, early Cycladic and Middle Cycladic periods. in the second unit, Urban Planning and Architecture, relevant articles present a part of the large 'public' building Xeste 4, trace over time the constructional development of Building Complex delta from its founding to its final phase, propose the restoration of the picture of a quarter of the settlement in the northwest sector of the excavated site, attempt to remodel the open spaces and the drainagesewerage network of the city, and, last, attempt a 3d virtual reconstruction of Xeste 3. The third unit, Technology-Economy, refers to important productive activities and attempts to link some products with the economy. Presented are the preliminary results of an interesting study of inorganic material found in small quantities, mainly as residues on the surface of stone tools. Most samples are related to pigments, which were used widely for colouring the outside of the buildings and for the decoration of their interior spaces with wall-paintings, as well as to produce even cosmetics. The finding of a quantity of pulverized quartz suggest the possibility of local production of faience. The confirmation of the widespread use of zeolite points to its use in diverse applications, such as detergent, disinfectant, filtering. At Akrotiri, the preservation of textiles is a unique challenge for studying the technology of spinning and weaving, as attested by tools of cloth production-spindle whorls and loom-weights-and by actual textiles.

To my daughters, Sofia and Ilia, who have taught me so much * The notes at the end of the text, w... more To my daughters, Sofia and Ilia, who have taught me so much * The notes at the end of the text, which refer to performances of historical times, are given because of their analogies to what we can speculate from the available evidence for the second millennium BC. Certainly they are not used to reinforce the views expressed.

and Roman Collections, Benaki Museum, Athens / Akrotiri Excavations, Thera

Booklet presenting a significant private collection donated recently to the Benaki Museum. It com... more Booklet presenting a significant private collection donated recently to the Benaki Museum. It comprises antiquities, a large number of icons and ecclesiastical furnishings, and a rich library with rare editions. Among the objects there is a unique, embroidered Epitaphios of the early fourteenth century.

One of a number of enigmatic depictions in the Aegean iconography of the second millennium BCE is... more One of a number of enigmatic depictions in the Aegean iconography of the second millennium BCE is the structure painted on the south wall of the Miniature Frieze from the West House at Akrotiri, Thera. This structure covers the slope of a hill and consists of two vertical blue bands on its western edge and four horizontal blue bands, all with features indicating masonry construction. Five rows of black triangles alternate with the horizontal bands. Each triangle has a round opening in its base. Unique in Aegean iconography, it has been interpreted as a dovecote, a shipshed, a storage space, a rock-cut structure with triangular niches, a geological formation and even a stretch of land with terraces and a vineyard. In one very brief reference it has been identified with an apiary. In line with contemporary rules of perspective, certain details suggest this structure could represent an apiary on a terraced area, protected on its western edge by a wall to windward. The triangular elements must depict the vertical-type fixed-comb woven beehives, which were in use until quite recently in Greece. A road leading from the apiary and connecting the settlement with the tripartite building at the top of the hill completes the elements needed for organised beekeeping. Similarly, there is a trapezoidal expanse of blue to the east of it which probably depicts a pond, another essential element of beekeeping. Both the extent of the area covered by the installation and the prominence of beekeeping products (indicated by chemical analysis and references on Linear B tablets) raise questions about the management of the apiary and the function of the building at the top of the hill.

Άγγελος. Αφιέρωμα στη μνήμη του Άγγελου Δεληβορριά, Mouseio Benaki, 2023

The Annual of the British School at Athens, 2016

One of a number of enigmatic depictions in the Aegean iconography of the second millenniumbceis t... more One of a number of enigmatic depictions in the Aegean iconography of the second millenniumbceis the structure painted on the south wall of the Miniature Frieze from the West House at Akrotiri, Thera. This structure covers the slope of a hill and consists of two vertical blue bands on its western edge and four horizontal blue bands, all with features indicating masonry construction. Five rows of black triangles alternate with the horizontal bands. Each triangle has a round opening in its base. Unique in Aegean iconography, it has been interpreted as a dovecote, a shipshed, a storage space, a rock-cut structure with triangular niches, a geological formation and even a stretch of land with terraces and a vineyard. In one very brief reference it has been identified with an apiary.In line with contemporary rules of perspective, certain details suggest this structure could represent an apiary on a terraced area, protected on its western edge by a wall to windward. The triangular elements ...

The fourth decade (1997-2007) of archaeological activity at Akrotiri, Thera, saw the completion o... more The fourth decade (1997-2007) of archaeological activity at Akrotiri, Thera, saw the completion of the excavation of the shafts for the foundations of the pillars of the new bioclimatic shelter, and the satisfactory progress of study of the finds. Since the presentation of our excavation and research work at regular intervals is almost and institution, one more colloquium was organized in 2007, in order to present the particularly important new discoveries and the multifaceted scientific approach to the diverse issues arising from the recent excavations. Needless to say, our obligation to make known to the scholarly community, as well as to the general public, the significant work being carried out at Akrotiri could not be met fully without the publication of the proceedings of that meeting. in 2021, fourteen years after the 2007 colloquium, our initial aim was eventually fulfilled, with the publication of the Proceedings of the Two-day Colloquium on 40 Years of Research at Akrotiri (1967-2007). This exceptionally long delay, which was due to many and varied setbacks, certainly beyond our control, in no way diminishes the scientific interest of this volume, the contributions to which are the fruit of many years of research and experience in the scientific field, offering a rich body of new material and expressing interesting interpretations and fresh ideas. indeed, in order to reach as wide a readership as possible, it was decided to publish the book in english. The grouping of the articles in this volume in five thematic units follows the programme of the papers presented at the two-day colloquium. The introductory chapter 40 Years of Research, which precedes, is the compte rendu of work at Akrotiri over 40 consecutive years: excavation, conservation, documentation, infrastructure, management, protection and enhancement. The first thematic unit, Stratigraphy-Chronology, deals with the geology and terrain of the area in which the prehistoric settlement at Akrotiri developed, and sketches the gradual cultural development of the settlement during the Neolithic, early Cycladic and Middle Cycladic periods. in the second unit, Urban Planning and Architecture, relevant articles present a part of the large 'public' building Xeste 4, trace over time the constructional development of Building Complex delta from its founding to its final phase, propose the restoration of the picture of a quarter of the settlement in the northwest sector of the excavated site, attempt to remodel the open spaces and the drainagesewerage network of the city, and, last, attempt a 3d virtual reconstruction of Xeste 3. The third unit, Technology-Economy, refers to important productive activities and attempts to link some products with the economy. Presented are the preliminary results of an interesting study of inorganic material found in small quantities, mainly as residues on the surface of stone tools. Most samples are related to pigments, which were used widely for colouring the outside of the buildings and for the decoration of their interior spaces with wall-paintings, as well as to produce even cosmetics. The finding of a quantity of pulverized quartz suggest the possibility of local production of faience. The confirmation of the widespread use of zeolite points to its use in diverse applications, such as detergent, disinfectant, filtering. At Akrotiri, the preservation of textiles is a unique challenge for studying the technology of spinning and weaving, as attested by tools of cloth production-spindle whorls and loom-weights-and by actual textiles.

To my daughters, Sofia and Ilia, who have taught me so much * The notes at the end of the text, w... more To my daughters, Sofia and Ilia, who have taught me so much * The notes at the end of the text, which refer to performances of historical times, are given because of their analogies to what we can speculate from the available evidence for the second millennium BC. Certainly they are not used to reinforce the views expressed.

and Roman Collections, Benaki Museum, Athens / Akrotiri Excavations, Thera

Booklet presenting a significant private collection donated recently to the Benaki Museum. It com... more Booklet presenting a significant private collection donated recently to the Benaki Museum. It comprises antiquities, a large number of icons and ecclesiastical furnishings, and a rich library with rare editions. Among the objects there is a unique, embroidered Epitaphios of the early fourteenth century.

One of a number of enigmatic depictions in the Aegean iconography of the second millennium BCE is... more One of a number of enigmatic depictions in the Aegean iconography of the second millennium BCE is the structure painted on the south wall of the Miniature Frieze from the West House at Akrotiri, Thera. This structure covers the slope of a hill and consists of two vertical blue bands on its western edge and four horizontal blue bands, all with features indicating masonry construction. Five rows of black triangles alternate with the horizontal bands. Each triangle has a round opening in its base. Unique in Aegean iconography, it has been interpreted as a dovecote, a shipshed, a storage space, a rock-cut structure with triangular niches, a geological formation and even a stretch of land with terraces and a vineyard. In one very brief reference it has been identified with an apiary. In line with contemporary rules of perspective, certain details suggest this structure could represent an apiary on a terraced area, protected on its western edge by a wall to windward. The triangular elements must depict the vertical-type fixed-comb woven beehives, which were in use until quite recently in Greece. A road leading from the apiary and connecting the settlement with the tripartite building at the top of the hill completes the elements needed for organised beekeeping. Similarly, there is a trapezoidal expanse of blue to the east of it which probably depicts a pond, another essential element of beekeeping. Both the extent of the area covered by the installation and the prominence of beekeeping products (indicated by chemical analysis and references on Linear B tablets) raise questions about the management of the apiary and the function of the building at the top of the hill.