This introduction presents the structure and contents of the current issue of Archaeological Reports. It also offers an overview (not meant to be exhaustive) of archaeological activity in Greece over the past 12 months, focusing on major exhibitions and other cultural events as well as on important recent publications.

This article, based on an oral presentation in virtual format by the author at its Annual General Meeting in February 2024, summarizes the activities of the British School at Athens with a focus on the calendar year 2023. It gives us great pleasure to present the innovative and varied work of BSA sponsored field and research projects, the Fitch Laboratory, Knossos Research Centre, archive, and library as well as the inspiring work of the School students, post docs, and fellows.

‘Newsround’ offers a platform for new discoveries that do not appear within the specialist contributions of this year’s Archaeological Reports, but which nevertheless warrant emphasis, either as a result of their particular characteristics or for the contribution they make to broader archaeological narratives. This section is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather an overview of archaeological research in Greece. It comprises largely preliminary reports (results of excavations that took place up to and including June 2024, where possible) that complement the digital content made available through Archaeology in Greece Online (https://chronique.efa.gr). Due to the diachronic nature of a number of the sites, and for ease of reference, the material is organized geographically in the first instance and then chronologically (earliest to latest) within each section as far as possible.

The last decade has been a fruitful period for the archaeology of Euboea. New and ongoing work includes research projects, survey, rescue, and systematic excavations, led by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Euboea of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture (henceforth EAE) and the foreign schools active on the island. In the northern part of the island, protection and restoration of monuments and collections has been the focus of work in various towns (Oreoi, Histiaea, Limni, Aedipsos), and a few sites have been explored (Kerinthos, Cape Artemision). In central Euboea, construction works have allowed for further insights on ancient settlements (Aliveri, Chalkida, Manika, Psachna–Kastella), while systematic excavation projects have explored sites and cultic activities from the Bronze Age to the Archaic time (Amarynthos, Lefkandi–Xeropolis), as well as athletic institutions of the Classical to Roman periods (Eretria). The ancient map of the southern part of Euboea has been enriched (Kapsouri Kaphirea and in the Bouros-Kastri, Kampos, and Katsaronio plains) during multiple survey explorations, leading to further systematic excavations (Gourimadi, Plakari), while extensive research has also now begun in the ancient quarries and the drakospita. New publications on previously investigated sites (Gkisouri, Zarakes, Karystos) and on underwater explorations completes the picture.

To my mother, Penelope.

This paper offers an overview of the published material of the Epirotic sanctuaries. The presentation will be limited to the geographical area of modern Epirus (prefectures of Arta, Ioannina, Preveza, and Thesprotia) and it will cover the period from the Early Iron Age (eighth century BC) to the beginning of the Roman conquest (second to early first century BC). Areas of ritual character in Epirus range from shrines to organized sanctuaries. It is not always easy to identify the deity/deities worshipped at the ritual places presented.

In the last 10 years, the archaeological landscape of South Italy has continued to thrive, especially thanks to research led by Italian and foreign universities. This report provides an overview of some of the archaeological discoveries and new data from the prehistoric to the Classical period, paying attention to the identification of possible patterns in the investigations conducted across the regions considered.

This paper presents a review of new research carried out within the borders of modern Albania in the last 10 years. It offers a roughly geographical outline – albeit incomplete – of recent discoveries from prehistory to the Middle Ages and attempts to place them in the wider context of current research in the field. Beyond pointing the reader to newly published surveys, archaeological excavations, and bodies of materials, it aims at giving an overall picture of the type and range of available data, current trends, choice of methodologies and approaches, and possible lines of enquiry within a key region for the archaeology of the Balkans and the Mediterranean as a whole.

Human osteoarchaeology, the study of human skeletal remains from archaeological contexts, has a long history in Greece. This review paper examines the developments that have occurred in the field over the past decade using case studies published from 2015 onwards. These studies have been selected to demonstrate the wealth of osteoarchaeological research, geographically and temporally, and are organized based on the themes of mobility, diet, palaeopathology, activity patterns, and funerary archaeology. The final part of the paper discusses some of the key challenges that human osteoarchaeology in Greece faces. Most prominent among these challenges is the limited financial support for the humanities, the few national-level training opportunities in human osteoarchaeology in higher education, the lack of a national association within the field that could promote standardized practices and collaboration, and the fact that most osteoarchaeological material has come to light through rescue excavations. In association with these challenges, the future prospects of osteoarchaeology in Greece are briefly discussed.

In this paper, we document the current research activities surrounding the mapping of cultural heritage on the web by contextualizing examples from Greek projects and applications within the broader international research landscape. We highlight the benefits of digital mapping for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage and address specific challenges that call for ongoing and future research. Mapping cultural heritage involves considerable effort from professionals with different backgrounds and can be extensive, as there are no limits to building up digital content. Several opportunities are opening up for expanding the scope of these efforts, foregrounding new questions and research avenues, and creating spin-off applications for diverse audiences. However, there are limitations to the durability of web GIS infrastructures, and their aging in a rapidly changing technological environment can significantly impact the associated content. It is crucial to understand that datafication and content curation go together, and that implementing open data provisions at an early stage can benefit dissemination, support preservation, and create surplus value by enabling third-party and broader audience participation in reusing or repurposing the mapped content.

This year, 2024, marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Marc and Ismene Fitch Laboratory for Archaeological Science. Since its inception in 1974, this pioneering laboratory has grown from an experiment into a world-renowned hub for archaeological science. As one of the first laboratories of its kind in Greece, and among only a few globally, the Fitch Laboratory expanded its expertise over the decades to encompass a wide range of disciplines. These include archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, human osteology, geophysics, pigment analysis, and its most recognized focus: archaeological ceramics. This paper reviews its history and development, and looks to the future.