Nemea Center for Classical Archaeology

Strategic Plan: 2007-2012

TEACHING

RESEARCH

PUBLIC EDUCATION

The archaeological site of Nemea has been a rich resource over the last thirty years.  It will continue to provide opportunities for students and scholars to learn about and do research in classical archaeology.  The publication of finds past and future will add to our knowledge of almost every period of Ancient Greek culture ( Prehistoric – Early Christian) with particularly significant additions coming from the study of the Early Hellenistic material (ca. 330-270 B.C.). Archaeology always presents the unexpected, but certainly we will learn much about sanctuaries, ancient athletics, ceramics chronology and numismatics. The site itself is one of the best displayed in Greece with a museum uniquely effective in bringing an ancient site to life for thousands of visitors each year.  The Nemea Center for Classical Archaeology will make the site an ever more effective place where this strong tradition of teaching, research, and public service can flourish.  The Center will

·      actively and imaginatively support undergraduate and graduate student work with material from the site

·      maintain and enhance a teaching program in classical archaeology for students from Berkeley and other institutions; this will include field school sessions at Nemea and nearby Mycenae under the auspices of the U.C. Berkeley Summer Sessions

·      coordinate and encourage the publication of material from the site

·      assess prospects and plan for future excavation at the site

·      conserve finds at the museum in preparation for publication and display

·      work with the Greek Archaeological Service to preserve the site and enhance it as a public educational asset

·      maintain the Nemean Archive in Berkeley and make it available for scholarly use

·      work with other institutions and scholars to create a regional center for classical archaeology which would encompass excavations, regional survey, public education through the Museum, and historical studies.

The Nemea Center has hired Dr. Kim Shelton as Director (50% time academic coordinator) to oversee and coordinate the teaching, research and education activities of the Center. Taking advantage of her unique experience and opportunities will enhance and expand the mission at Nemea. As a specialist in Greek ceramics she will be able to study and publish the important ceramic deposits of the Sanctuary that define the chronology of the site. As a Bronze Age scholar she will be an asset in the investigation of the prehistoric and early historic use of the site. As a successful archaeologist and long-time resident of Greece, she will be able to work effectively with Americans, Greeks, and others to achieve the goals of the Center.

Dr. Shelton will also teach 50% time for the Berkeley Classics Department. Her work as director and professor will find a special syncretism in Berkeley Summer Session Field School. She also brings with her the unusual opportunities of an on-going excavation and research program at Mycenae, fully funded by external independent sources, that can provide students additional experience in the field, exposure to prehistoric culture and additional material for study and publication. The Center will take full advantage of these opportunities while always maintaining a preeminent focus on the Sanctuary of Zeus and the Stadium.

Field School. As a Summer Session offering from the Department of Classics, undergraduate students will have the opportunity to experience first-hand archaeological excavation and museum study at Nemea and/or Mycenae. The Field School will continue programs of instruction and research to teach practical archaeological skills in a real research environment while gaining an understanding of the material culture of Greece throughout various periods of its prehistory and history. Students will participate in a variety of field techniques and research methodologies including when appropriate regional and site survey and sampling, geo-physical testing and mapping, field excavation, stratigraphic analysis, written, graphic and photographic recording of data and finds, cleaning and conservation of finds, scientific and stylistic pottery analysis, study of organic material, cataloguing, and presentation of research results through collection and exhibition management. In addition, a more general knowledge of the archaeological history of Ancient Greece will be attained through the recovery and analysis of material (architecture, sculpture, metalwork and ceramics) from a wide range of periods (prehistoric through Early Christian) and especially through exposure to the major archaeological and cultural sites of Greece. The Field School will offer experience at both Nemea and Mycenae until such time as an excavation permit is granted for U.C. Berkeley; at that point, it is anticipated that excavation will take place only at Nemea, with the possibility of some museum work continuing at Mycenae.

Publication. A mission of the Center is to create an environment of scholarly cooperation involving students and faculty both from UC Berkeley and from elsewhere that will serve as a model in the field of classical archaeology. Together with the educational program, research will expand the experience of students on the site, create publication and teaching opportunities for graduate students, the future leaders and teachers in the field and will bring together specialists of various backgrounds, interests and experiences. A priority in the area of research and publication at Nemea, in 2007 and for several future seasons, will be an in-depth study of the characteristic ceramic deposits recovered through past excavations that will define the chronological history of the site. This work will be undertaken primarily by graduate and undergraduate students and will involve pottery identification, cataloguing and conservation. Research will be encouraged into the regional styles and chronologies as well as analyzing the local ceramic character in different periods and what that means for the settlement history of the site and its use pattern. Ultimately this work will be published as Nemea X: Chronology. This material and its publication will greatly enhance the understanding of the site, provide several graduate students the opportunity to study and publish chronologically and regionally specific ceramics and will become the foundation of a study collection accessible for instruction and comparison by scholars and students throughout the region and beyond.

With regard to other publications work, Professor Stephen Miller, the editor of Nemea volumes I-III, provides the following outline of publication:

Nemea Final Publication Program

Volumes, contents, authors, date of publication

I The Sacred Square, the Xenon, and the Bath , by Darice E. Birge, Lynn W. Kraynak, and Stephen G. Miller (1992).

II The Early Hellenistic Stadium, by Stephen G. Miller with contributions from David Chamberlain and Robert C. Knapp (2001)

III The Coins, by Robert C. Knapp and John Mac Issac (2005)

IV The Hero Shrine of Opheltes, the Early Stadium, and the Hippodrome, by Jorge Bravo and Barbara Rieger (2008 est.)

V The Sacred Square II: the North Building, the East Building, the Oikoi, the Tile Kilns, and the Bronze Sculptor’s Workshop, by Polyxeni Bouyia, Stephen G. Miller, and Gerhard Zimmer (2009).

VI Small Finds, by Lynn Kraynak (2012?) [no activity since 1992]

VII Testimonia, by Robert Lamberton (2012?) [no activity since 1989, but RL indicates continued interest and willingness to go forward given that the stadium graffiti are published and that the Hero Shrine curse tablets will be in Volume IV; Jorge Bravo has also indicated an interest in working on a part of this volume - Oct. 2005]

VIII The Temples of Zeus, by James Herbst, Nicos Makris, and Stephen G. Miller, (2012).

IX Late Antique and Medieval Nemea, by ???? (???)

X Chronologies of Deposits, by Kim Shelton

For volume V and thereafter the Center hopes that a Nemea Center Editorial Board will assume direction of the publications with the close cooperation of Stephen Miller as a member of that Board. Although commitments should be honored, degrees of inactivity might result in reassignments. As of Spring 2007, however, plans for the Editorial Board and for the publication of Nemea excavation material up until 2004 remain uncertain.

Excavation when Permit is granted. Beginning probably in the summer 20010, but certainly whenever the Permit is granted, excavation will continue at Nemea and will encompass many different areas chronologically and geographically defined. One interest is to discover more information and evidence of the early prehistory and history of the site, including the possibility of occupation and/or cult continuity down to the 6th century sanctuary and its development. Other important areas of interest include the exploration of the area west of the Temple where the early stadium and hippodrome are located; the area east of the Altar; and the space between the two “sites” (sanctuary proper and stadium) to understand the circulation routes, access and structures associated with this part of the festival and to create a single unified archaeological park

Archive and website. The Nemea Archive on the Berkeley Campus will be enhanced with an eye to future research and teaching for Nemea as well as in the areas of Classical architecture, sanctuaries and ancient athletics. There will also be implemented a program to consolidate and enhance the web presence of the Center and its work. This will involve web-site design and digitizing of the vast source material stored in the archive.

Public Education. Bringing education and the public together has always been of basic importance at Nemea and this relationship will continue through seminars, conferences and individual tours and demonstrations. The Center will also work with other institutions and scholars to create a regional center for classical archaeology that will encompass excavations, regional survey and material study for the benefit of public education through the Museum.

Museum expansion. An exterior secure storage unit will be constructed along the back (east) wall of the museum to house the architectural pieces from the Temple of Zeus now in the main museum storage area. This will free up a substantial part of the storage shelving for future excavation finds.

Bowker House renovations. The Center will enhance and expand the educational and research facilities at Bowker House through the acquisition of research materials and infrastructure improvements. The living facilities on site will be expanded and improved over the next five years to include additional rooms to house students and scholars utilizing existing structures and adjacent areas, and provide better facilities for work and recreation. The current vehicle, although ten years old, remains in good shape. However, it may be advantageous to acquire a vehicle which could transport more students in order to minimize costs for student travel and research and thereby reducing the need for large rentals.

Preservation/Conservation at the site. The archaeological monuments and materials both outside and in the Museum need constant care. Conservation work is necessary on the Early Christian Basilica, the Xenon, water reservoirs and especially in the entrance tunnel of the Stadium. Conservation will also be important in the Museum during the research and publication phases. New excavations will also produce material, on site and moveable, which will need to be conserved and presented for study, publication and exhibit. To maintain the beautiful environs of the archaeological park requires on-going upkeep. The site itself will also increase in size through land acquisition and will require landscaping and preparation for public access and circulation.

Revival of the Nemean Games.  The Center is supportive of the concept of the Games, which have provided a unique venue for international recognition, cooperation, and goodwill focused on Nemea and U.C. 

Reconstruction of the Temple of Zeus.  In 2004 Dr. Nicos Makris (University of Patras, Greece) assumed the leadership of the reconstruction of the Early Hellenistic Temple.  The Earthquake Engineering Research Center and the Nemea Center provide oversight and guidance for this project and are ultimately responsible for its conduct.

Fund Raising 2007-2012. The Center has had generous support from a large number of donors. Important future work at the site together with the on-going publication program and site maintenance will continue to require external funds and support.

Student Scholarships. UCB Summer Sessions Field School opportunities through the Nemea Center are very appealing to students, but taking advantage of the opportunity is expensive: total costs (air fare, housing, fees, tuition) will be $5-6,000 for the full eight weeks’ program. Named Scholarships to help with this cost would be a perfect way to further the educational mission of the Center.

Land Acquisition. An important area of interest at Nemea is the space between the two “sites” (sanctuary and stadium); the Center plans to acquire and study this area to understand the circulation routes, access and structures associated with this part of the festival, and to create a single unified archaeological park. With this in mind, property will need to be purchased; the process is presently underway with the help of the Greek Ministry of Culture. Three properties will soon be transferred to the State and one further will be purchased in the coming year. Very soon the growing area of the site will be incorporated into the archaeological zone and can be prepared for excavation and presentation to the public. The land currently available plus possible further acquisitions to the east of the site will cost upwards of $100,000 to acquire.

Publication. The beautiful, finely prepared Nemea volumes are a model in the field--and are very expensive to produce; the three so far have required a subvention to the University of California Press of, on average, $30,000 each, although the cost of producing each volume fluctuates wildly; it is possible that in an electronic age the Press will be able to hold down costs. The funds raised late in the 1980’s are almost exhausted. Helping with the subvention of a volume is a primary way to aid in the publication program.

Bowker House Improvements. Bowker House would be improved by:

· Updating infrastructure as needed (e.g., electrical, heating)

· Renovation of the commons room and kitchen

· Renovation of the bathrooms (completed in 2007)

· Renovation of the sleeping facilities

· Expansion to allow more students to be housed on the site

· Creation of a computer/study facility so students have a quiet place to work, connected to the world

Research Grants for Scholars. The publication of Nemean material requires study of the artifacts at Nemea itself. Research grants to graduate students and more advanced scholars involved in the publications will promote this study.

Museum Expansion. The Museum is the educational showplace of Greek archaeology. In addition to the construction of a storage shed on the east side of the Museum, an enhancement would be a major addition to the structure to accommodate the new material from resumed excavation. The Center would look forward to cooperating with the Greek archaeological service as well as other institutions using the Museum in making plans for expansion.

Director’s Salary. Although the Classics Department provides the funding for half-time professorial appointment of Kim Shelton, the half-time Director appointment is funded from donors. Much of the cost is provided by a long-term grant from the Elios Society, but additional support is needed.