The Cyclades Ephorate of Antiquities, in collaboration with the French Archaeological School, held an inaugural international conference on “The Archaeological Work in the Cyclades” at the Byzantine and Christian Museum of Athens on November 22-26.

More than 200 delegates attended the conference including Vice President for Academic Affairs Theoni Scourta and professor of the CYA Summer Course MS321 Excavating in the Aegean: The Case of Despotiko (Paros, Antiparos), Alexandra Alexandridou who also presented her paper “Pottery & Clay Figurines of Early Iron Age from Despotiko of Antiparos”.

The paper discussed the recent discoveries of Geometric ceramic material and clay figurines at the sanctuary, now recognized as one of the most important Archaic cultic centers of the Cyclades.  Professor Alexadridou’s CYA summer course gives students the unique opportunity to actively participate in the excavation of this site at Despotiko – read about this year’s excavation experience here.