Re-excavating’ Findings in Storage: The Refurbishment of the Old Acropolis Museum in Athens

Abstract

Since 1874, the Old Acropolis Museum (OAM) in Athens has housed archaeological materials from the Acropolis Hill and its Slopes, dating from Antiquity to the modern period. This case study explores the undertaking, over the past three years, of the OAM Reopening Project by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens (EACA), attached to the Greek Ministry of Culture. The repackaging, re-documentation, and study of stored objects, as well as the study of archives and relevant literature, unearthed both the history of OAM and the management of Acropolis antiquities. The stored archaeological material represents a unique and fascinating case study relevant to a diverse range of important topics for the cultural heritage sector, such as socio-political contexts, science, technology and available resources, as well as biographical insights into important players in the history of the museum. ‘Re-excavating’ stored archaeological material might represent an important strategy in the evolution of preventive conservation, and is relevant to the emerging history of archaeological storage practices.