14.1 History of Greek archaeology from the Renaissance to the present

Greek archaeology has come a long way since the Renaissance. It started with rich folks collecting cool ancient stuff and turned into a legit science. Now, it's all high-tech with fancy tools and methods.

The field has faced some drama, like arguments over who owns ancient treasures. But it's also made huge discoveries that changed how we see ancient Greece. From digging up Troy to decoding old languages, it's been quite a ride.

Greek Archaeology: Renaissance to Modernity

Renaissance Origins and Early Development

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• Greek archaeology emerged as a distinct field during the Renaissance driven by renewed interest in classical antiquity and rediscovery of ancient texts
• Grand Tour of the 18th century sparked aristocratic interest in collecting Greek artifacts led to formation of early museum collections and private cabinets of curiosities (British Museum, Louvre)
• 19th century saw professionalization of Greek archaeology with establishment of academic departments and scholarly societies dedicated to study of ancient Greece (Archaeological Institute of America founded in 1879)
• Work of Heinrich Schliemann at Troy and Mycenae in late 19th century marked turning point in Greek archaeology shifting focus from art collecting to systematic excavation and scientific inquiry
  • Discovered ruins of Troy in 1873
  • Unearthed "Mask of Agamemnon" at Mycenae in 1876

Methodological Advancements and Interdisciplinary Approaches

• Early 20th century witnessed development of stratigraphic excavation techniques and integration of other disciplines into Greek archaeological practice
  • Anthropology provided cultural context
  • Geology aided in understanding site formation processes
• Post-World War II Greek archaeology saw increased emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches including use of scientific dating methods and environmental studies
  • Radiocarbon dating revolutionized chronology (introduced in 1949)
  • Palynology revealed ancient climate and vegetation patterns
• Contemporary Greek archaeology has embraced digital technologies remote sensing techniques and non-invasive survey methods to expand scope and precision of research
  • LiDAR technology for mapping hidden structures
  • Photogrammetry for 3D modeling of artifacts and sites

Key Events in Greek Archaeology

Foundational Discoveries and Ethical Considerations

• Excavation of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 18th century sparked widespread interest in classical archaeology and influenced early Greek archaeological practices
  • Pompeii excavations began in 1748
  • Herculaneum excavations started in 1738
• Lord Elgin's removal of Parthenon marbles in early 19th century raised ethical questions about ownership and preservation of Greek antiquities
  • Marbles removed between 1801 and 1812
  • Debate over repatriation continues to this day
• Heinrich Schliemann's discovery of Troy and "Mask of Agamemnon" at Mycenae in 1870s revolutionized understanding of Bronze Age Greek civilization
• Arthur Evans' excavations at Knossos in early 20th century revealed sophisticated Minoan civilization and expanded chronological scope of Greek archaeology
  • Excavations began in 1900
  • Uncovered complex palace structure and Linear A script

Technological Breakthroughs and Maritime Archaeology

• Decipherment of Linear B script by Michael Ventris in 1952 provided crucial insights into Mycenaean Greek language and society
• Discovery of Antikythera Mechanism in 1901 and its subsequent analysis revealed advanced ancient Greek technological capabilities
  • Complex geared device used for astronomical calculations
  • Dated to around 100 BCE
• Underwater excavation of Uluburun shipwreck in late 20th century provided unprecedented information on Bronze Age trade networks and maritime technology
  • Excavated between 1984 and 1994
  • Cargo included copper ingots, tin ingots, and luxury goods

Contextual Influences on Greek Archaeology

Political and Nationalist Impacts

• Rise of nationalism in 19th century influenced interpretation of archaeological finds often leading to use of archaeology to support national identities and territorial claims
  • Greek War of Independence (1821-1832) heightened interest in ancient Greek heritage
• Colonialism and imperialism in 19th and early 20th centuries facilitated access to Greek archaeological sites but also led to removal of artifacts to Western museums (British Museum, Pergamon Museum)
• Establishment of Greek state in 1830 led to creation of national archaeological institutions and laws governing excavation and protection of antiquities
  • Greek Archaeological Service founded in 1833
  • First Greek Antiquities Law passed in 1834

Global Events and Modern Challenges

• World Wars I and II disrupted archaeological work but also led to new discoveries through military activities and post-war reconstruction efforts
  • Chance finds during trench digging (Derveni papyrus discovered in 1962)
• Cold War period influenced funding priorities and international collaborations in Greek archaeology often reflecting broader geopolitical tensions
  • American School of Classical Studies at Athens expanded operations
• Development of cultural heritage management policies in late 20th century has impacted excavation practices and repatriation of Greek artifacts
  • UNESCO Convention on Cultural Property (1970)
• Globalization and mass tourism have created new challenges and opportunities for Greek archaeology including site preservation and public engagement
  • Increased visitor pressure on popular sites (Acropolis, Delphi)
  • Development of virtual reality experiences for remote access

Methods in Greek Archaeology: Evolution Over Time

Early Approaches and Stratigraphic Techniques

• Early Greek archaeology relied heavily on antiquarianism and art historical approaches focusing on collection and aesthetic appreciation of artifacts
  • Winckelmann's "History of Ancient Art" (1764) established art historical framework
• Introduction of stratigraphic excavation techniques in late 19th century revolutionized ability to establish chronologies and understand site formation processes
  • Pioneered by Flinders Petrie in Egypt applied to Greek contexts
• Development of pottery typologies and seriation in early 20th century provided more precise dating methods for Greek archaeological contexts
  • Sir Arthur Evans' Minoan pottery sequence at Knossos

Scientific and Technological Advancements

• Aerial photography first used extensively after World War I allowed for identification of new sites and study of landscape archaeology
  • Revealed previously unknown Mycenaean roads and field systems
• Application of scientific dating methods such as radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology in mid-20th century greatly improved chronological precision
  • Thera eruption date controversy resolved through dendrochronology
• Underwater archaeology techniques developed in latter half of 20th century expanded research into maritime trade and coastal settlements
  • Exploration of ancient harbors (Piraeus, Caesarea Maritima)
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies have enhanced spatial analysis and site prospection in Greek archaeology since late 20th century
  • Predictive modeling for locating potential sites
• DNA analysis and isotope studies have provided new insights into ancient Greek population movements diets and genetic relationships in recent decades
  • Genetic studies of Minoan and Mycenaean populations
  • Strontium isotope analysis for tracing human mobility