Evangelia Kiriatzi - Director, Fitch Laboratory

Dr. Evangelia Kiriatzi is an archaeologist trained in archaeological science who specialises in ceramic analysis. She has been the Director of the Fitch Laboratory at the British School at Athens since 2001. She is also President of the Society for Archaeological Sciences and Honorary Research Associate at the Macdonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge. She is the first woman to hold the position of Director of the Fitch Laboratory.

The Fitch Laboratory is a world-leading centre for science based archaeology that was established at the British School at Athens during the directorship of Sinclair Hood (Director 1954 -1962) and opened in 1974. It specialises in the analysis of inorganic materials, especially ceramics, and runs a programme of research and training. The Fitch Laboratory grew out of the need to identify the origin of Greek pottery, especially the very similar Minoan and Mycenaean pottery and it was named after Marc and Ismene Fitch who were substantial financial supporters of the British School at Athens.

During her time as Director, Kiriatzi has emphasized developing the infrastructure and capacities of the laboratory for undertaking research into areas beyond the Aegean, developing its capacity to train and educate young scholars throughout the world and expanding the laboratory’s collaboration beyond Greece and the United Kingdom.

Evangelia Kiriatzi was educated at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and her own research focuses on the technology of pre-industrial societies, especially ceramics, and the mobility of potters and their expertise across different landscapes.

Artist’s Note: Dr. Kiriatzi was a special suggestion by the BSA Archivist, Amalia Kakissis,and as soon as I was told about Dr. Kiriatzi’s work, I knew she needed to be in this exhibition to help tell the greater story of the BSA. For Dr. Kiriatzi’s LEGO portrait, I wanted to make sure I captured an appropriate smile that reflected the seriousness of the science that is conducted at the Fitch Laboratory and the open, unpretentious directness that her photographs suggest.