Decade of Underwater Archaeology Research in Fournoi Korseon Presented at Acropolis Museum
On May 15, 2025, the “Korseai” Institute of Historical and Archaeological Research held a major conference and press briefing at the New Acropolis Museum’s “Dimitrios Pandermalis” amphitheater in Athens. The event showcased ten years (2015–2025) of underwater archaeological research in the Fournoi Korseon archipelago.
The press conference was attended by key figures including Georgios Didaskalou, Secretary General of Culture at the Ministry of Culture and Sports; Dimitrios Kourkoumelis, Deputy Head of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities; Andreas Fiorentinos, Secretary General of the Greek National Tourism Organization; Emmanuel Koutoulakis, Secretary General of Aegean and Insular Policy at the Ministry of Shipping; Konstantinos Moutzouris, Governor of the North Aegean; Dimitris Karydis, Mayor of Fournoi Korseon; and Sotiris Skiadaresis, President of the Chamber of Lefkada.
Highlights included:
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A detailed presentation by the Director of the Archaeological Research of Fournoi and Assistant Professor at the University of Thessaly on the initial exploration phase (2015–2018), focusing on the systematic excavation of a late Roman shipwreck at Aspro Kavos and the technical challenges encountered.
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Technical Director of Research Vasilios Mentogiannis’s address on the role of marine cultural heritage as a foundation for local development, emphasizing plans to establish diving parks and accessible underwater archaeological sites in Fournoi.
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Conservation specialists Angelos Tsompanidis and Irini Mitsi discussed protocols for managing excavated archaeological materials collected over the decade.
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University of Thessaly senior archaeology student Loutsia Papalaiou presented on the importance of hands-on training and practical experience for students engaged in underwater archaeological research.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, distribution of informational materials, and a reception at the museum’s lobby, underscoring the growing collaboration between archaeology, tourism, and local development in Fournoi Korseon.
