The Work of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cephalonia and Ithaca
The Ephorate of Antiquities of Kefallinia and Ithaca is a Regional Service of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, reports to the General Directorate of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage and is based in Argostoli, Kefalonia and has territorial jurisdiction over the islands of Kefalonia and Ithaca. The responsibilities of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Kefallinia and Ithaca are determined based on the provisions of Law 3028/2002 “For the Protection of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage in general”, as well as PD4 / 2018 (Government Gazette 7 / A / 22-01-2018 ) “Organization of the Ministry of Culture and Sports”. In particular, the operational objectives of the Ephorate, as well as of all Ephorates of Antiquities are described in Article 25 of PD4 / 2018 (Government Gazette 7 / A / 22-01-2018).
Among the Museums and Archaeological Collections that operate under the supervision of the Ephorate is the Archaeological Collection of Sami.
Projects carried out on
Cephalonia and Ithaca
Over the last years, the Archaeological Service, albeit being understaffed, proceeded to carry out a number of projects and subprojects in the context of European programs, with the aim to protect and enhance the monuments of Cephalonia and Ithaca, and as a result to help the public get to know them and to communicate their significant role in understanding the area’s past and securing its future. Choosing which monuments to include in each project was neither easy nor carefree, given that excavation research constantly brings new, unknown monuments to light, enriching our knowledge of the two islands. The main factors leading us to choose a monument worthy of being included in a project have been its significance and potential peculiarities – the story it narrates, its preservation state, its legal and property status, its location as well as ease of access. The whole process of including and then carrying out a project has been time-consuming and usually required the cooperation of various factors and Services.
It has also been common to supervise rescue works as part of others’ technical projects, carried out by other Services. The “Rescue excavations of Antiquities” under the “Drainage of dirty rainwater – waste water treatment plant of Same Cephalonia 2000-2006” project was one such case. Although it was impossible to retain all discovered remains in a visible state, this particular project was very important, since it led to the discovery of new monuments, the mapping of city functions and the collection of a great amount of finds, which in fact enriched Same’s Archaeological Collection to a great extent.
The opening of Same’s Archaeological Collection resulted from one such project (“Restoration and set up of the Archaeological Collection of Sami and exhibition of the mosaics in Kefallonia”), directly related to the enhancement of Cephalonia’s citadels and to recent excavation works, including those carried out under the project for Same’s waste water treatment plant. The Collection’s project did not only aim to present the finds from one of the four city-states of Cephalonia, but also became the medium to present the monuments of the wider area to the public.
Cultural projects
under European Programs
Subprojects of the Ephorate
in the framework of other’s projects integrated into European programs
