Remembering Colin Renfrew: a life’s work on the Cyclades and beyond

Colin Renfrew, professor at the University of Cambridge, famed internationally as an archaeologist with a special interest in Greek prehistory and a profound affection for Greece, died in Cambridge on 24 November 2024. A former Chair of the British School at Athens and an Honorary Member of the Archaeological Society of Athens, he was also closely associated with the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. Renfrew first came to Greece in 1963, wrote his PhD on Cycladic prehistory, and went on to excavate at Saliagos (Antiparos), Sitagroi (Macedonia), Phylakopi (Melos), Markiani (Amorgos), and Keros, leaving us exemplary publications of his excavations. His 1972 volume The Emergence of Civilisation revolutionised Aegean prehistory, and his many other high-calibre publications cement his place in the pantheon of archaeologists of Greece and the world. Moreover, Colin Renfrew was distinguished for his active stand against the international illicit trade in antiquities, founding at the University of Cambridge the Illicit Antiquities Research Centre, and showing particular sensitivity towards the orphaned Early Cycladic antiquities that formed a principal focus of his scholarly work. We invite you to join us in honouring his memory and remembering his immense contribution to Greece, Greek culture, and Greek archaeology, and his immeasurable impact on the development of the study of Early Cycladic culture. Programme The speakers will be introduced by Professor Rebecca Sweetman, Director of the British School at Athens. Opening Addresses Lina Mendoni, Minister of Culture Matthew Lodge HE the British Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic Olympia Vikatou, General Director of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage Demetris Athanasoulis, Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades Rebecca Sweetman, Director, British School at Athens Speeches Christos Doumas: Colin Renfrew’s long involvement in Greece and his early work in the 1960s Marisa Marthari: Colin Renfrew’s work in the Cyclades and on Cycladic archaeology Michael Boyd: Colin Renfrew and Keros Evi Margaritis: Colin Renfrew and archaeological science in Greece and worldwide Cyprian Broodbank: the Εmergence, and Colin Renfrew’s worldwide significance seen through the lens of Greece Helena Renfrew-Knight and Magnus Renfrew will offer a few words of personal thanks to the speakers.