Photeini Balla

Photeini Balla serves as Laboratory Teaching Staff at the Laboratory of Archaeology and History of Art within the Department of History and Archaeology, School of Philosophy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). She has been in this position since 2020, contributing to archaeological education and research at one of Greece's most prestigious academic institutions.

Her academic background includes a 4-year BA in Archaeology and Art History from NKUA, an MA in Classical Archaeology from the University of Crete, and a PhD from NKUA focusing on the burial customs of Sikyon. Prior to her current position, she worked as a contract archaeologist for the Ministry of Culture and held administrative positions at the Special Account for Research Grants and the Library of Archaeology of NKUA.

Dr. Balla specializes in Classical Archaeology with a primary focus on ceramics and burial customs of the Greek area during the Classical and Hellenistic periods. Her research centers on the ancient city of Sikyon, where she has conducted extensive analysis of burial sites, ceramic assemblages, and funerary rituals. Her work demonstrates particular expertise in the typological evolution of terracotta figurines, funerary lamps, burial vessels, and the interpretation of enagismoi (ritual offerings). She has made significant contributions to understanding the stratigraphy of roadside cemeteries and the circulation of local coinages in ancient Greek burial contexts.

Her publication record reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on Sikyonian archaeology, with a particular emphasis on funerary practices. Her most recent works (2023-2024) explore numismatic evidence in burial contexts, including coins, pseudo-coins, and clay coin-shaped objects, as well as the presence of lamps and terracotta figurines in burial sites. These publications demonstrate her evolving expertise in interpreting ritual practices through material culture. Her research shows strong methodological rigor in stratigraphic analysis and typological classification, with particular attention to the chronological development of artifacts within their archaeological contexts.

Dr. Balla has actively participated in teaching activities through the Department of History and Archaeology at NKUA, including specialized courses on Classical ceramics documentation and votive offerings in major Greek sanctuaries. Her field experience includes participation in excavations across multiple regions of Greece including Attica, Corinthia, Naxos, Tinos, and Oiniades of Aetoloakarnania.

Her work is primarily conducted through the Laboratory of Archaeology and History of Art at NKUA, where she contributes to both research and educational activities. She has participated in numerous academic conferences and symposia, particularly those focused on Peloponnesian archaeology, and has collaborated with colleagues on various research projects related to ancient burial practices.