From the archaeological work of G. Sotiriou

Who was Georgios Sotiriou?

A pioneer, and very active archeologist-Byzantinist of the first half of the 20th century and one of the greatest directors of the Byzantine & Christian Museum. He was born in 1880, and he studied in Athens and abroad. In 1915 he was appointed General Ephor of Antiquities and in 1923 he took over the directorship of the Byzantine Museum. The role played by Sotiriou was crucial both for the development of the Archaeological Service and for the scholarly progress of Archaeology. Sotiriou was a splendid scholar who contributed a lot to the study of the Byzantine archeology and art.

Georgios Sotiriou (1880‐1965). Byzantine & Christian Museum’s Historical and Photographic Archives.

Had Sotiriou undertaken to conduct excavations?

Yes, he was an active archaeologist and researcher with a special interest in the Byzantine monuments. It was one of the first Greek scholars who have carried out systematic excavations under the direction of the Archaeological Service. He discovered important monuments, mostly of the early Christian era.

Which were the most known excavations by him?

Georgios Sotiriou excavated the Ilissos basilica in Athens. He also conducted an excavating research in the basilica of Hagios Demetrios in Thessaloniki, when he undertook the archaeological study and the restoration of the Church after the destructive fire of 1917. he also conducted very important excavating work in Pthiotides Thebes (now New Anchialos).

Two vaulted graves were discovered in the outer northern side of the narthex of the Ilissos basilica. The graves are not visible anymore. Byzantine & Christian Museum’s Historical and Photographic Archives. Sotiriou Archive.
Diary from the excavation in Hagios Demetrios, Thessaloniki. August and September 1917. Byzantine & Christian Museum’s Historical and Photographic Archives.
Diary from the excavation in Hagios Demetrios, Thessaloniki. August and September 1917. Byzantine & Christian Museum’s Historical and Photographic Archives.
The ruined basilica of Hagios Demetrios. The shoot has been taken from the minaret in the southwest of the monument. At the interior, piles of debris. Byzantine & Christian Museum’s Historical and Photographic Archives.
Boxes containing archaeological findings in the central aisle of the chapel of Hagios Euthymios. Byzantine & Christian Museum’s Historical and Photographic Archives.
Georgios Sotiriou and his wife, the Byzantinist Maria Sotiriou, while studying metal and ceramic findings from the excavations in Ephesos. Byzantine & Christian Museum’s Historical and Photographic Archives.
Metal findings from the excavations in Ephesos. Byzantine & Christian Museum’s Historical and Photographic Archives.
Box containing tesserai and fragments of mortar with mosaic decoration from the excavations in Ephesos. Byzantine & Christian Museum’s Historical and Photographic Archives.
Photograph from the site of excavations in Nea Anchialos. In the center, Georgios Sotiriou, and to his right, his wife Maria Sotiriou.
Part of a 5th-c. architectural member from Ilissos basilica, Athens. It is decorated by floral and geometrical motives remindful of ancient forms. BXM00289
Arch (part) from a 5th-c. baldachin from the basilica A, Nea Anchialos. BXM2910
Gray-schist carved plaque, 5th -6th c. From the Church of Hagios Ioannes (John the Theologian) in Ephesos. Its decoration is divided in two vertical zones. The one has a winding stem, while the other has square panels with inscribed medallions. BXM2911