This project focuses on the excavation and study of the Early Bronze Age site of Keros in Greece, led by the University of Cambridge. The role of Dr Margaritis as the Assistant Director and Head of Environmental Studies of the project resulted in a significant involvement of STARC in this project, including a successful grant application to the Research and Innovation Foundation of Cyprus (RIF). All the work related to archaeological science (archaeobotany, archaeozoology, wood charcoal, isotope, phytolith and starch analysis, and archaeometallurgy) is coordinated by STARC through Dr Margaritis as the PI of URBAN (RIF Excellence Grants 1216/0463).
The Keros project represents one of the best interdisciplinary projects in the Eastern Mediterranean. It has already changed our understanding of the inception of the first urban centres of Europe, having a great impact in archaeological method and theory. The extensive environmental sampling with a combination of analytical methods undertaken during the excavation represents a flagship project of STARC in interdisciplinary work.
Relevant Publications
Boyd, M.J., R. Doonan, C. Douglas, G. Gavalas, M. Gkouma, C. Halley, B. Hartzler, J. Herbst, H. Indgjerd, A. Krijnen, I. Legaki, E. Margaritis, N. Meyer, I. Moutafi, N. Pirée Iliou, D. Wylie, C. Renfrew, 2021. Open area, open data: advances in reflexive archaeological practice. Journal of Field Archaeology 46.2, 62-80
Renfrew, C, Boyd, M and Margaritis, E. 2018. Interdisciplinary approaches to the prehistory of Keros, Archaeological Reports 2017-2018, 67-84.
Μargaritis, E. 2013a. Foodstuffs, fruit tree cultivation and occupation patterns at Dhaskalio, in Colin Renfrew et al. (eds.), The Sanctuary at Keros and the Origins of Aegean Cult Practice: Excavations at Dhaskalio and Dhaskalio Kavos, Keros 2006 – 2008, Vol. I. McDonald Institute Series, Cambridge, 389-404.