Editor – Kommos Conservancy

Dr. James Wright “Revisiting the Ancient Port at Kommos” video

By Editor Posted on February 9, 2021 Posted in Articles No Comments Tagged with conservation, foreign pottery, James Wright, Kommos, Monopalatial

Frontispiece 3 of 3 Kommos V - Restored view (C. Dietrich) of the Southern Area 1300 BC view south-east, excluding slipway(s) or Gifford’s tombolo

Professor James Wright’s video “Revisiting The Ancient Port of Kommos” , presented by The National Arts Club, summarizes the importance of Kommos in the Aegean Bronze Age and discusses the ongoing conservation efforts for the site. The current conservation plans …

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Greek Myths & the Art of Words

By Editor Posted on April 9, 2015 Posted in Articles 5 Comments Tagged with Brand New Ancients, Bronze Age, Charles Isherwood, Crete, Daedalus, Diodorus of Sicily, hip hop influences, Icarus, inspired, James Stratis, Kate Tempest, King Minos, Kommos, Loes Huis in 't Veld, Michiko Kakutani, Minoan colonies, myth, Poetry, poetry of place, Rachel Donadio, rap influence, storytelling, Wendy Everett

one up one down Tempest burnt wing

Kate Tempest: A 21st Century London Poet – Musing and Rapping on Greek myths 04 April 2015 by James C. Stratis We can be inspired by words, the art of words as in the inspirational art of poetry. Previously1 …

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James Wright: on Kommos, 2014 Open Discussion

By Editor Posted on April 6, 2015 Posted in Articles 1 Comment Tagged with Clairy Palyvou, James Stratis, James Wright, Joseph Shaw, Kommos, Kommos Conservancy, Sonia Mavrommati

Kommos Archaeological Site Master Planning Coordination 14 March 2014 by ASCSA Director James Wright At the 2014 annual OPEN MEETING of the American School of Classical Studies of Athens, Dr. James Wright discussed the progress made in …

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Publication Logistics in the Kommos site publications

By Editor Posted on October 17, 2014 Posted in Articles No Comments Tagged with A. Chapin, A. Van de Moortel, B. Ibronyi, D. Ruscillo, G. Bianco, Greek temple, J. Bennet, J. McEnroe, J. Rutter, J. Shaw, J. Wright, Joseph Shaw, Kommos, L. Costaki, L. Nixon, L. Watrous, M. Shaw, Minoan houses, Minoan pottery, P. Bakai, P. Bettancort, Princeton University Press

Multidisciplinary Field Projects January 4, 2014 by Joseph W. Shaw Introduction. Excavations at Kommos in Crete were carried out in two phases, from 1976 through 1985 and from 1991 through 1996. The publication of the site consists of …

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The Middle Minoan Ship Slipway at the Kommos Harbor

By Editor Posted on October 9, 2014 Posted in Articles 3 Comments Tagged with Joseph W. Shaw, naval architecture, ship sheds, slipway

A revised analysis and conclusion of a site feature’s function 03 October 2014 by Joseph W. Shaw In the past a boat or ship’s hull after construction, repair or dry dock storage was at times coated with grease allowing …

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Ποίηση και Τόπος Ιθάκη / Ithaka

By Editor Posted on October 1, 2014 Posted in Articles No Comments Tagged with Ιθάκη, Κομμός, Κωνσταντίνος Καβάφης

Εμπνευσμένο από τον τόπο, η ποίηση μπορεί να ενισχύσει την εμπειρία του επισκέπτη 29 Σεπτέμβριος 2014 Από τον James C. Stratis Τι ήχοι, τι μουσική, τι πεζογραφία και ό, τι ενέπνευσε τη ποίηση συμπληρώνει την έμπνευση που προέρχεται από …

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Poetry and Place — Ιθάκη / Ithaka

By Editor Posted on September 30, 2014 Posted in Articles 1 Comment Tagged with Cavafy, Constantin Cavafy, Homer, Ithaka, Odyssey, Poetry, Rita Wilson, Sean Connary, Time Bandits, Vangelis, Wendell Berry, William Logan

Inspired by place, poetry can enhance the visitor experience. 29 September 2014 by James C. Stratis What sounds, what music, what prose and what inspired poetry can supplement the inspiration derived from a place especially an ancient pre-historic place …

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Κομμος Ενα Μινωικο Λιμανι 3.650 Ετων

By Editor Posted on August 17, 2014 Posted in Articles, GreekArticles No Comments

Ένα βίντεο σχετικά με τη διατήρηση και την ανάπτυξη του αρχαιολογικού χώρου του Κομμού σε βιώσιμο δημόσιο αρχαιολογικό πάρκο. A You-Tube video in Greek about the conservation and the development of the Kommos archaeological site into a sustainable public archaeological …

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Video – Kommos pottery at the end of Minoan phase – plenty and fade to black

By Editor Posted on March 25, 2014 Posted in Articles No Comments Tagged with Jeremy Rutter, Kommos, video

Posted for James Stratis Jan Driesen of the Universite Catholique de Louvain has brought to our attention a video of Jeremy Rutter’s presentation entitled Late Minoan IIIB at Kommos : an abundance of deposits, a dearth of clear sub-phases, and …

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A Review of “Kommos V”

By Editor Posted on March 13, 2014 Posted in Articles No Comments Tagged with A. Dandrau, A. Van de Moortel, C. Murphy, D. Ruscillo, J.B. Rutter, J.W. Shaw, L. Costaki, M.C. Shaw, S. Dubernet

Kommos V the Monumental Minoan Buildings at Kommos presents the southern area of the excavations which includes the monumental buildings found at the site. In addition to chapters written by the principle excavators at Kommos, Joseph and Maria Shaw (JS …

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A Cretan Conundrum

By Editor Posted on February 3, 2014 Posted in Articles 4 Comments Tagged with Baal-Hammon, Carthagenians, Egyptian Gods, Joseph W. Shaw, Maria C. Shaw, Murex, Phoenicians, pre historic interpretation, Robert C. Bigelow, Tanit, temple

This post is a somewhat modified version of a talk that I presented to the Egyptian Study Society of Denver Colorado on 21 January 2014. It was intended for a general audience; thus, it includes some information that is already …

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The Egyptian gods of Kommos

By Editor Posted on July 28, 2013 Posted in Articles 2 Comments Tagged with Bastet, Crete, Egyptian deities, Egyptian Gods, Eleftherna, Inatos cave, James Stratis, Joseph Shaw, Knossos, Kommos, Nefertum, Re, Robert Bigelow, Sekhmet, Sir J.D. Wilinson, University of Toronto, Zeus Thenatas Amnisos

Posted for James Stratis. During the fourth season of the Kommos excavation in 1979 the team from the University of Toronto, discovered, amongst other finds, two faience statues of Egyptian deities – Sekhmet (AB85) and Nefertum (AB86). The fact that …

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The Kommos Virtual Reconstruction Project

By Editor Posted on April 13, 2013 Posted in Articles 4 Comments Tagged with Alexander Assaf, archaeological tourists, Catherine Brown, Crete, Giuliana Bianco, Greek sanctuary, Holly Joyce, James Stratis, Joe Wynn, Kat Vlahos, Keith Schmelzer, Kommos, Kommos Conservancy, Minoan harbor, Professors Joseph and Maria Shaw, Robert Bigelow, Second Life, shipsheds, Sonia Mavrommati, University of Colorado, University of Toronto, virtual reconstructions

Building P Minoan Shipsheds by Joe Wynn

By Alexander Assaf Every perfect traveler always creates the country where he travels.~Nikos Kazantzakis The bright sun beat down on the plains overlooking the distant Rocky Mountains. In the midst of this landscape ouzo flowed, the crowds dined on saganaki …

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Ερμηνευτικό θέμα 1: ΥM IA κεραμικός κλίβανος στην νότια περιοχή Στοά

By Editor Posted on April 7, 2013 Posted in GreekArticles No Comments

Ένας κλίβανος κεραμικών γεμάτος με είδη κεραμικής, που χρονολογείται στην Υστερομινωική περίοδο IA (1500 Π.Κ.Ε) , χτίστηκε στα ερείπια μιας πρώην Μεσομινωικής στοάς (1700 Π.Κ.Ε). Έτσι ερμηνεύτηκε σε μια δημοσίευση της Αμερικανικής Σχολής Κλασικών Σπουδών στην Αθήνα από τον A. …

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Kommos Archaeological Park: Conservation, Education & Sustainable Job Creation in Greece

By Editor Posted on April 1, 2013 Posted in Flyers No Comments Tagged with archaeological park, archaeological site conservation, Education, Greek Job Creation

AHEPA flyer final 111712 Flyer Text: Kommos was an inhabited site for 2000 years and it includes a Minoan emporium and seaport town with a later Hellenistic Greek temple sanctuary. This archaeological site adjacent to the beach and sea was …

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A Lakonian (Minoan?) Shipwreck

By Editor Posted on January 15, 2013 Posted in Articles 8 Comments Tagged with Aegean Islands, Agia Triada, Alexander MacGillivray, Arthur Evans, Bernard Knapp, Brendan Foley, Colorado University, Crete, Cyclades, Danaos 2008, Dia, Elias Spondylis, Elpida Hadjidaki, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, James Stratis, Jan Driessen, Kassian Strait, Kommos, Koulenti, L. Vance Watrous, Lakonia, Mesara, Minoan, Minoan shipwreck, Minoan Thalassocracy, Pavlopetri, Phaistos, Phillip Betancourt, Pseira, Robert Hohlfelder, Theotokis Theodoulou, Vapheio, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Fig 1. Akrotiri Thera fresco segment. Fig 2. Minoan ship reconstruction Hania, Crete Posted for James Stratis: I received a tweet, copied below, of a brief notice from Bernard Knapp, Friday 11 January 2013 that made me think of L. …

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We are a collaboration of different disciplines who realize the importance and significance of the ancient findings at Kommos, Crete, Greece.

The Registered Officers

of the Colorado non-profit corporation are:

President Joseph W. Shaw,
Vice President Maria C. Shaw,
Secretary Teresa M. Bruce,
Treasurer James C. Stratis*.
*Executive Director

The Kommos Advisory Committee

members include:

Assaf, Alexander K.**
Bigelow, Robert C.***
Chavis, Tracey L.
Coleman, Julie A.
Cronenberger, Richard
Flores, Phillip E.
Hahn, Hugh G.
Hartmann, James E.
Kneen, Timmothy B.
Leon, Spero A.
Miller, David H.
Raby, A. Glen
Vlahos, Ekaterini
**Virtual Reconstruction- Project Manager
***Web Site Editor

Anyone and everyone interested and concerned with the future and past of the archaeological site of Kommos can get involved. Send us your questions here.

The Kommos Conservancy is a non-profit organization committed to the insuring the future survival of the fragile dig site of Kommos in Crete, Greece. Our efforts include the organization and interpretation of the artifacts found there as well as publication and out-reach to the Greek people,and the world through this website. Besides sharing and classifying, we are also committed to maintaining the physical state of the archaeological site itself. The Kommos site is vulnerable to the effects of wind, weather, and sea water. Our duty is to help preserve it and make it available to the world for generations to come. A plan has been established to provide the necessary steps to ensure the archaeological site's survival.

Kommos Conservancy Mission Statement

19 June 2007

The Kommos Conservancy is a Colorado non-profit organization founded in 2007 to promote and advance the stewardship for conservation and educational development of the Kommos Archaeological site in south central Crete, Greece

Δήλωση αποστολής της Kommos Conservancy

19 Ιουνίου 2007.

Η Kommos Conservancy είναι μια μη κερδοσκοπική οργάνωση που ιδρύθηκε το 2007 για να προάγει και να προωθεί την διατήρηση και την εκπαιδευτική ανάπτυξη του αρχαιολογικού χώρου του Κομμού στη νότια Κρήτη στην Ελλάδα

The Kommos Conservancy emerged in 1996 after more than 30 years of archaeological excavation and analysis, under the direction of professors Joseph and Maria Shaw of the University of Toronto. The depth and range of multi-disciplined scholarly involvement, has produced an impressive series of volumes disseminating the artifacts and conclusions, unearthed during the excavations. The permit was sponsored by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens and subject to the regulations of the Greek Ministry of Culture and the 23rd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities.

Editor of CRM: Journal of Heritage Stewardship-Barbara J. Little- when asked why archaeology matters said "Our history is an anchor, a vantage point and a library. Archaeology is the tool for expanding that history." We agree and take on as a responsibility - our site conservation and educational public outreach mission and we hope you will agree, to participate and join us to conserve and educate about this epic and fragile archaeological site on the island of Crete, in Greece. The history and artifact evidence is a physical glimpse to the past where initially an ancient civilization, known as the Minoan Civilization, once thrived and dominated the merchant maritime of much of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. At Kommos the Minoan port city was followed by Greek - Hellenistic culture, significantly developing what most of the Western World has been built upon. From our Political System and Judicial Systems to our Agricultural Systems and even our Military. Our Languages, Sociological, Mathematical, Scientific and Astrological disciplines are derived and have been constructed from ancient Greek practices.

What are others saying about us?

Joseph W. Shaw, Minoan Architecture: Materials and Techniques.
Studi di archeologia cretese.
Reviewed by Quentin Letesson

2006 Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement

The Monumental Minoan Buildings at Kommos

Joseph W. Shaw, Maria C. Shaw
Reviewed by Jennifer Moody
I: The Region and the Houses of the Minoan Town

Joseph W. Shaw, Aleydis van De Moortel, Peter M. Day & Vassilis Kilikoglou.
A Late Minoan Iron Age ceramic kiln in south-central Crete: function and pottery production

(Hesperia Supplement 30). xi+172 pages, 66 figures, 16 tables. 2001. n.p.: American School of Classical Studies at Athens; 0-87661-530-2 paperback.

Joseph W. Shaw, Minoan Architecture: Materials and Techniques. Studi di archeologia cretese. Padova: Bottega d'Erasmo, 2009. Pp. 337. ISBN 9788861250727.
Reviewed by Quentin Letesson, Université Catholique de Louvain (quentin.letesson@uclouvain.be)

Joseph W. Shaw, Maria C. Shaw,
Kommos IV: The Greek Sanctuary. Part 1 Reviewed by Donald C. Haggis

Joseph W. Shaw, Aleydis van De Moortel, Peter M. Day & Vassilis Kilikoglou.
A Late Minoan Iron Age ceramic kiln in south-central Crete: function and pottery production

(Hesperia Supplement 30). xi+172 pages, 66 figures, 16 tables. 2001. n.p.: American School of Classical Studies at Athens; 0-87661-530-2 paperback. Reviewed by Neil Brodie, Cambridge Journals Online

Joseph W. Shaw & Maria C. Shaw (ed.)
Kommos V: The Monumental Minoan Buildings at Kommos review by Oliver Dickinson

Joseph W. Shaw, Kommos: A Minoan Harbor Town and Greek Sanctuary in Southern Crete
Review by Gerald Cadogan in Bryn Mawr Classical Review Aug. 2007
and
Review by Mark Rose in Archaeology Magazine Feb 2006

Maria C. Shaw, Joseph W. Shaw (ed.), House X at Kommos, A Minoan Mansion Near the Sea. Part 1, Architecture, Stratigraphy, and Selected Finds.
By Vassilis Petrakis

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Author: Editor

Dr. James Wright “Revisiting the Ancient Port at Kommos” video

Greek Myths & the Art of Words

James Wright: on Kommos, 2014 Open Discussion

Publication Logistics in the Kommos site publications

The Middle Minoan Ship Slipway at the Kommos Harbor

Ποίηση και Τόπος Ιθάκη / Ithaka

Poetry and Place — Ιθάκη / Ithaka

Κομμος Ενα Μινωικο Λιμανι 3.650 Ετων

Video – Kommos pottery at the end of Minoan phase – plenty and fade to black

A Review of “Kommos V”

A Cretan Conundrum

The Egyptian gods of Kommos

The Kommos Virtual Reconstruction Project

Ερμηνευτικό θέμα 1: ΥM IA κεραμικός κλίβανος στην νότια περιοχή Στοά

Kommos Archaeological Park: Conservation, Education & Sustainable Job Creation in Greece

A Lakonian (Minoan?) Shipwreck