Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) comprises a unique cluster of material culture produced by the interaction of human individuals/societies with the maritime environment, which in most cases is difficult to access and especially challenging to handle. The underwater world, whilst intriguing and exotic, poses many impediments in the establishment of a productive relationship between the archaeological record and the public. This is where new museological approaches and innovative technologies seem to offer a variety of tools not only towards solutions on accessibility, but also in order to provide a framework for the design and implementation of a multi-sensory experience within this unique archaeological context. And the results as well as the future potential in this direction are remarkable. The main goal of my postdoctoral research is to study the interaction between Underwater Cultural Heritage and the public through the use of innovative museological and technological methodologies and propose successful management strategies and tools.

Postdoctoral Researcher: Alexandros Tourtas
Project's implementation: 2018-2023

The emergence of new theoretical and analytical frameworks, along with the bulk of new scientific data concerning the study of material culture, as well as the burst of technology during the last few decades, open new pathways for recovering the meaning incorporated in objects manufactured, used and discarded by past societies.

Given this, the present study re-focuses on museum objects in terms of their interpretation, display and interaction with visitors. The methodology includes a) a critical evaluation of modern theoretical approaches, on the basis of the relationship between individuals and objects. This relationship will be examined within the context of past societies in which objects had been manufactured and used, as well as through the prism of modern visitors and objects interaction; b) a critical evaluation of the relationship and interaction between physical and digital objects. The interpretation of the discourse between physical and digital objects could act as a useful, and occasionally even the main tool, for an exhibition narrative.

The Palaeolithic period and the way the relevant archaeological objects are displayed in museum exhibitions will be used as the case study. The Palaeolithic is the longest period in human history, witnessing human birth and evolution, as well as the emergence of civilization.
This is an interdisciplinary research; it involves coming together of different disciplines of science like archeology, cultural informatics, museum studies, anthropology and sociology. It is addressed to a wide range of researchers from the academic community, museum professionals, but also to the public.

Postdoctoral Researcher:Elli Karkazi

The object of this postdoctoral research is the critical review of the use of images in archaeological exhibitions. It will be investigated whether and in what extent imagery supports the basic narrative choices, especially regarding the display of the archaeological process.

In addition to establishing a theoretical and methodological framework, the aim of the research is the experimental creation of alternative exhibition scenarios for the presentation of archaeological and excavation sites where the main narrative tool is the static and moving image, in contrast to the object-oriented tradition of the Greek archaeological museum landscape.

Postdoctoral Researcher: Fotis Ifantidis
Project's implementation: 2021-2023