The Society of Kytherian Studies actively supports archaeological research on Kythera and Antikythera.

More specifically, the Society has supported research in:

a) Agios Georgios sto Vouno (St. George on the Mountain)

Adonis Kyrou’s discovery of Minoan votive offerings in the area of Agios Georgios sto Vouno led to excavation research in 1993 and 1994 by professor Yiannis Sakellarakis. The research resulted in the discovery of an intact Minoan hilltop sanctuary. This sanctuary, considered the greatest outside Crete, yielded a large number of finds, temporarily kept at the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, where the most important ones are on display.

The Association’s aim is the repatriation of these finds to Kythera, in order to be put on display when an appropriate museum is created. The cost and the organization of the excavation work was undertaken by the Association. The total cost rose to 14.051.426 drachmas (Euros 41.236,76) and was covered with capital of the Association and grants.

b) Excavation at Kambi (Karavas)

In 1997, with the support of the Association, an excavation work of a Minoan tomb at the position of Kambi in Karavas began from the team of the archaeologist Aris Tsaravopoulos, in a farmland belonging to Har. Kritharis, where, in the past, a devotional vessel had been discovered and handed over to the National Archaeological Museum. It turned out that the tomb had already been looted and the excavation had no yield. It was established, however, that the area possessed archaeological interest and merited the continuation of research.

c) Excavation at Housti cave (Diakofti)

With the Association’s financial support, the team of archaeologist Aris Tsaravopoulos initiated excavation activity during the three-year period spanning 1997-1999 at the ‘Housti’ cave, in Diakofti. It was established that the cave was a devotional area, dated, based on finds so far, to an age preceding 3,800 BC.

d) Dragonares:

Remarkable finds were also brought to light in Megali Dragonara by Tsaravopoulos’ team during the same period. Their discovery was again attributed to Adonis Kyrou, who participated in the efforts of the Association of Sea Research to raise stone anchors of a wreck in the channel between Dragonara and Kythira. Two of the nine anchors raised are on display at the Archaeological Museum of Kythera. Research was financially backed by the Association.

e) Research on ancient mines

The Association of Kythirian Studies was affiliated with the Democritos Research Centre and financially assisted the Centre’s research work in Kythera in 1998-99. The outcome was successful and the existence of iron mines in the region of Diakofti, as well as on the island’s west side, was established. The final report of conclusions of that research is anticipated.

f) Antikythera

It was deemed appropriate by relevant authorities to expand archaeological research to Antikythera, where, among others, is a remarkable fort which must, and deserves to, be preserved. The Association of Kytherian Studies financially supported the first outing to Antikythera by the Tsaravopoulos team.