The 6th Maritime Archaeology Graduate Symposium (MAGS 2025)

MAGS 2025

The 6th Maritime Archaeology Graduate Symposium (MAGS 2025) was held for the first time in Greece, at the University of Ioannina, between the 2nd and the 5th of April 2025. Hosted by the Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Ioannina, MAGS 2025 was organised by Dr Panos Tzovaras and Dr Dimitrios Karampas, together with the Department of History and Archaeology. The Honor Frost Foundation and the University of Ioannina generously supported the symposium.

MAGS 2025 brought together more than 70 graduate students and early-career researchers from 23 countries, presenting the latest research in maritime archaeology and highlighting the value of interdisciplinary approaches. Papers and posters covered a wide range of topics, including underwater excavations, coastal archaeology, shipwreck studies, maritime landscapes, prehistoric and historic seafaring, maritime cultural heritage, archaeological science, digital methodologies, and experimental archaeology.

The keynote lectures, focusing on cutting-edge maritime and coastal archaeological research programmes, were delivered by Georgios Koutsouflakis, Assistant Professor of Maritime Archaeology in the Department of History, Archaeology and Social Anthropology at the University of Thessaly; Evangelos Tourloukis, Assistant Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology in the Department of History and Archaeology at the University of Ioannina; Professor Stephen Turnock, Professor of Naval Architecture and Director of the School of Maritime and Environmental Engineering at the University of Southampton; and Kalliopi Baika, Assistant Professor of Maritime Archaeology at Aix-Marseille Université – Centre Camille Jullian, CNRS.

In addition to the scientific sessions, two workshops were held on the final day of the symposium. The first introduced participants to experimental archaeology through the reconstruction and use of prehistoric woodworking tools employed in the construction of watercraft. The second focused on professional development, providing practical guidance on identifying funding opportunities for maritime archaeological research, preparing successful grant applications, and developing effective communication and project reporting skills. Participants also had the opportunity to visit two exhibitions, including the MONOXYLON EXPEDITION experimental archaeology project and the exhibition Fishing in the Ambracian Gulf: Fishing Techniques, Gear and Fish Species from Actia Nicopolis, organised by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Preveza.

A selected number of MAGS 2025 speakers have published their work with the generous support of the Honor Frost Foundation through the Short Report series.

  • Aya Mohamed Helmy: The Community of shipbuilders in Egypt during the Greco-Roman period
  • Despina Athanasiou: “Phournoi Shipwreck 9” and the presence of Late Roman 4 amphorae in the Phournoi archipelago
  • Doğuş Coşar Güler: “Peraia” in Antiquity: From the North Aegean to Western Anatolia
  • Mohamed Aly: The Nautical Manuscripts of ʿAlī al-Sharfī: A Study of North African Contributions to Mediterranean Seafaring
  • Mona Aly Moustafa Abd Elaziz: The Canopic Branch of the Nile: A Key Trade Route Linking Egypt and the Mediterranean until the End of the Late Period
  • Paraskevi Athanasia Papadimitriou: Exploring Community Perspective on Maritime Cultural Heritage in Southeastern Laconia
  • Radomír Tichý and Alexandr Jenš: Properties and Performance of the First Neolithic Boats in the Mediterranean Sea: An Archaeological Experiment
  • Veronica Capriotti: The Piraeus: a social space and a locus of class formation

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Professor Lucy Blue, Dr Danielle Newman, Dr Ceri Ashley and the entire Honor Frost Foundation team for their support throughout the organisation of MAGS 2025. We are equally grateful to Professor Andreas Vlachopoulos and the University of Ioannina for their invaluable assistance and to all the University departments and staff whose contributions made the symposium possible. Finally, we extend our sincere thanks to everyone who participated in MAGS 2025 -including keynote speakers, presenters, volunteers, session chairs and attendees- whose enthusiasm and commitment were instrumental in making MAGS 2025 such a success.

The Organising Committee

Dr Panos Tzovaras and Dr Dimitrios Karampas

Supporting Institutions:

HFF