Sofia Voutsaki

Prof. Sofia Voutsaki is a Professor of Greek Archaeology at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Arts, specializing in Aegean prehistory and Mycenaean archaeology. Her research integrates archaeological methods with scientific techniques like stable isotope analysis and ancient DNA, focusing on mortuary practices, social change, and the role of archaeology in contemporary identity formation.

Education:

• B.A. in History and Archaeology, University of Athens (1979-1984)
• MPhil, University of Cambridge (1984-1985)
• PhD, University of Cambridge (1985-1992), supervised by Lord Renfrew

Key Projects:

• Director of Ayios Vasileios North Cemetery Project (since 2011)
• Halos Landscape Project (since 2018)
• Argos Tumuli Project (2007-2013)
• Ayios Vasileios Survey Project (since 2015)

Research Interests: Her work spans mortuary practices, social organization in the Mycenaean era, Bronze Age societal transformations, and the intersection of archaeology with modern identity politics. She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining bioarchaeology with theoretical frameworks like gender archaeology and household analysis.

Awards & Roles:

• Fellow, Harvard Centre for Hellenic Studies (2022)
• Member of the Archaeological Society of Athens, British School at Athens, and Netherlands Institute at Athens
• Editor of Social Inequality and Difference in the Ancient Greek World (2024)

Labs & Teams: Leads the Groningen Institute of Archaeology's research on Mycenaean palatial centers and mortuary landscapes, collaborating with institutions like the Archaeological Society of Athens and the Mediterranean Archaeology Trust.