February 11, 2008

Contact:
Van Jensen, 404-413-1357
University Relations

Anthropology adds field school in Greece

ATLANTA – One of the world’s largest and best known archaeological sites will welcome Georgia State University students taking part in the Department of Anthropology’s new Greece field school this summer.

Partnering with the University of Thessaloniki, Georgia State assistant professor Despina Margomenou will take a small group of graduate students in July to northern Greece – in the region of Macedonia – to Thessaloniki. In addition to being the second-largest city in Greece, it is the site of thousands of years of history. A large mound in the city holds remnants of residents from the Neolithic period to the days of Alexander the Great to soldiers during World War I.

The site was near one of the busiest roads from Europe to Turkey and Asia, so it holds remnants from an abundance of cultures, said Margomenou, who joined the Georgia State faculty last August. Thessaloniki is known for its cafés, trendy shops and some of the Mediterranean’s best beaches, in addition to a wealth of history.

“There’s tons of material for students,” she said. “And the city has some of the oldest churches in the world. These monasteries are absolutely beautiful.”

During the month-long field school, students will also go on several field trips to other areas of archaeological importance, such as a preserved Neolithic village and the tomb of Philip of Macedon, who conquered most of Greece around 350 BC. Also nearby is the birthplace of Aristotle. Margomenou knows the area well, as she was born and raised in Thessaloniki and earned her undergraduate degree from the university there.

“They are very happy to have collaborations,” she said of her alma mater.

As the site has gained international attention among the archaeological community in recent years, the students also likely will be able to attend lectures by some of the most renowned experts in the field, Margomenou said. In addition to this field school, Georgia State’s anthropology department also has field schools in El Salvador and Rio de Janeiro.

“I think it’s important for students to see another kind of city,” Margomenou said.