Agora Excavations, 1931-2006

In 2006, the American School of Classical Studies at Athens celebrated 75 years of archaeological work in the Athenian Agora, the civic centre of classical Athens. Since the first trench was dug on May 25, 1931, excavations have continued in a series of yearly campaigns, only briefly interrupted by World War II. The impact these discoveries have made on our understanding of Athenian history and topography is well documented, but relatively little has been published about the fascinating history of the excavations themselves. This book fills that gap, presenting a pictorial history of the project illustrated with many archival photographs and primary documents. Rather than presenting a continuous narrative, the author focuses on some key moments in the Agora's history including the reconstruction of the Stoa of Attalos, the restoration of the Church of the Holy Apostles, and the landscaping of the archaeological park.

“Agora Excavations 1931-2006: A Pictorial Historyis bound to become an indispensable source when it comes to teaching and studying the Athenian Agora and the surrounding city of Athens. It has been very carefully conceptualized, researched, and produced. Its principal value, to my view, lies not only in its documentary function but also in its role as an index to the practice of archaeology and to the difficult role of conciliating past and present in a continuously changing context.”

Agora Excavations 1931-2006: A Pictorial History is bound to become an indispensable source when it comes to teaching and studying the Athenian Agora and the surrounding city of Athens. It has been very carefully conceptualized, researched, and produced. Its principal value, to my view, lies not only in its documentary function but also in its role as an index to the practice of archaeology and to the difficult role of conciliating past and present in a continuously changing context. -- Bryn Mawr Classical Review Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Craig A. Mauzy is Assistant Director of the American School's Excavations in the Athenian Agora. He is also the project's photographer.

In 2006, the American School of Classical Studies at Athens celebrates seventy five years of archaeological work in the Athenian Agora, the civic center of classical Athens. Since the first trench was dug on May 25th 1931, excavations have continued in a series of yearly campaigns, only briefly interrupted by the Second World War. The impact these discoveries have made on our understanding of Athenian history and topography is well documented, but relatively little has been published about the fascinating history of the excavations themselves. This book fills that gap, presenting a pictorial history of the project illustrated with many archival photographs and primary documents. Rather than presenting a continuous narrative, the author focuses on some key moments in the Agora's history including the reconstruction of the Stoa of Attalos, the restoration of the Church of the Holy Apostles, and the landscaping of the archaeological park.

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