The Cycladic Seminar is a specialized forum on the prehistoric Cyclades (Stone Age to Sub-Mycenaean period) held at the Archaeological Society at Athens and organized by the Ephor Emerita of the Cyclades, Dr Marisa Marthari. During the first seven-year period (2013-2019), many remarkable papers were presented, the abstracts of which can be found on the Society's website. Those presentations could only be attended in person; however, for the second period starting this year the talks will be available also online.

The Cycladic Seminar has several goals. It seeks to stimulate scholarly discussion on new field investigations, both surface surveys and excavations, at Cycladic sites either unknown until recently or if previously known that now offer interesting fresh evidence. It highlights new research of Cycladic artefacts, in which old data are often reconsidered and reassessed. And finally, it hosts studies on the connections between Cycladic and other Aegean sites that are now being excavated. The topics presented are based on material with a known context.

The Cycladic Seminar meetings will take place in the small hall of the Archaeological Society’s megaron, 22 Panepistimiou St., at 7 p.m. Papers presented will be 45 minutes in duration and will be followed by discussion. The annual seminar programme and abstracts of the presentations will be posted on the Society's website (www.archetai.gr).

During the last two decades of the 20th century and the first twelve years of this century our knowledge of Cycladic prehistory has grown in leaps and bounds, owing to new field surveys and, especially, systematic excavations at remarkable sites unknown before the 1980s. The publication of material from old excavations, recent general studies of the Cycladic world taken full advantage of this work and studies that have compared Cycladic sites to those in other areas of the Aegean have played their role in this development. In addition, continued investigations at previously known, yet no less important, Cycladic sites have contributed greatly to the discourse.

This Cycladic Seminar aims to highlight recent research, while interpreting it in the light of older data, a strategy that, in many cases, will lead to a reconsideration of the old data. The seminar also will emphasize studies based on material with a known context.

The foundations of Cycladic prehistory were laid by Christos Tsountas with excavations he conducted in the Cyclades under the aegis of the Archaeological Society at Athens in late 19th century, and by his two seminal studies, “Kykladica” and “Kykladica II”, published in the Society’s journal, Archaiologike Ephemeris, in 1898 and 1899. To this day certain of the most important excavations of prehistoric sites in the Cyclades are also conducted under the aegis of the Archaeological Society. The Society seems, therefore, to be the proper venue for organizing a Cycladic Seminar.

Cycladic Seminar meetings will take place in the small hall of the Archaeological Society’s megaron, 22 Panepistimiou St., at 7 P.M. Papers presented to the Seminar will last 45 minutes and will be followed by discussion. The annual seminar programme and abstracts of the presentations will be posted on the Society's website (Επικαιρότητα). The seminar is organized by Marisa Marthari.