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Space

The study of space has now incorporated pre-existing scholarly pursuits (e.g., historical geography) into a new, autonomous theoretical framework, following current research in the field of spatial studies. A wide range of topics is highlighted, such as the organization of urban space and rural landscapes in antiquity; the development and evolution of settlement networks; the investigation of small-scale spatial units, as well as the study of broader geographic regions, such as mainland Greece, Asia Minor, and the islands; archaeological sites in interaction with their environment and their biodiversity. Building upon these research fields, a Digital Cartography Laboratory has also been established, combining relevant academic research with the advanced capabilities of digital technology.

History and geography

History does not unfold in a vacuum. Space—both as a physical environment and as a socially defined place—is an integral element of every historical experience. Our research focuses on the dynamic relationship between history, geography, and especially space, highlighting it not as a passive backdrop but as an active factor in the formation of political, social, and cultural structures.

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Environment, climate, and society

This section centres on the interaction between humans and the environment. Since the natural environment, the man-made structures within it, and the human societies that inhabit them form integrated systems, it explores the role of environmental conditions, climate, and natural phenomena more broadly as factors in historical developments—factors that often escape our attention. Environmental conditions are closely linked to ways of life, economic activity, and religious beliefs, and, in some cases, imposed dramatic changes, population movements, or even the collapse of social structures.

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