Nikolaos Stampolidis

Nikolaos Stampolidis is a distinguished Professor of Classical Archaeology at the University of Crete, where he has served since 1984, progressing from Lecturer to full Professor since 1994. He currently holds multiple prestigious positions including Director-General of the Acropolis Museum (since June 2021) and Director of the Museum of Cycladic Art (since 1996). Previously, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Letters and Arts at the University of Crete (1994-1997) and Head of the Department of History and Archaeology (1991-1993).

Stampolidis earned his undergraduate degree from the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki (1970-1974), followed by postgraduate studies in Bonn, Germany (1975-1977) with a DAAD scholarship. He completed his dissertation in Athens (1978-1979) with a Greek government scholarship, achieving Magna cum laude distinction.

His research focuses on Mediterranean interconnections during the Early Iron Age, with special emphasis on Cretan archaeology, particularly the Eleutherna site he has excavated continuously since 1985. His work spans homeric archaeology, Greek sculpture across multiple periods, epigraphy, funerary practices, and the dialogue between antiquity and contemporary art. His excavations at Eleutherna have revealed significant insights into geometric-archaic period customs and cultural exchanges across the Mediterranean.

Stampolidis' scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on Mediterranean cultural networks, particularly between Crete, the Cyclades, Cyprus, and the Near East during the Early Iron Age through Hellenistic periods. His research combines meticulous excavation work with innovative interpretations of cultural interactions, often bridging archaeological evidence with literary sources like Homer. The recurring themes in his work include the analysis of funerary practices, the study of Mediterranean trade networks, and the examination of how cultural influences traveled across the ancient world.

His numerous honors reflect his significant contributions to archaeology and Greek culture, including being named Honorary Citizen of Eleutherna (1995), receiving the Tourism Award for his contribution to Crete's development (2015), and being awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of Phoenix by the President of the Hellenic Republic (2016).

Throughout his career, Stampolidis has supervised numerous graduate students through the Post-graduation program in Classical Archaeology at the University of Crete, which he directed since 2005 (previously co-directing from 1991-2005). His research has been supported by multiple funding sources including UNESCO, the University of Crete, the Institute of Mediterranean Studies, the Mediterranean Archaeological Society, various Greek Ministries, the INSTAP, and European Community programs including INTERREG IIIA and the 3rd European Community Support Framework.

Stampolidis directs the long-term excavation and research project at Eleutherna, Crete, which has evolved into a major archaeological site with its own museum. His work at Eleutherna represents one of the most significant ongoing archaeological projects in Greece, combining excavation, conservation, publication, and public presentation of findings through both the on-site museum and numerous international exhibitions he has curated.