This site was established by the Kytherian Research Group Inc.
It has been funded by the Kytherian Research Group and will be greatly assisted by volunteers.
Contact john.fardoulis@gmail.com if you can help.
Kytherian Research Group (KRG)
The Kytherian Research Group Inc. is a registered non-profit incorporated association in the state of NSW, Australia. Headquarters is based in the suburb of Lilyfield, Sydney.
We are about uncovering the rich history of Kythera and Antikythera.
Particularly educating members of the Kytherian Diaspora and general public regarding elements of the island and it’s history that they may not have seen or known about.
Making a difference. Non profit.
To engage, the community and related parties, help discover exciting new finds, and inspire everyone by sharing knowledge.
One of the main priorities is creating new bodies of work through field research, discovering material that is not ‘yet’ written in books.
More information is available here: www.krg.org.au.
The Kytherian Research Group (KRG) works very closely with the Kytherian Association of Australia and a number of government departments in Greece such as the Department of Maritime Antiquities and 26th Ephorate of Classical & Prehistoric Antiquities, Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Financial support from the Kytherian Association of Australia and Nicholas Anthony Aroney Trust has been a catalyst in making KRG projects possible.
Examples of KRG Projects
Our initial main project involved organising archaeological excavations at Paleokastro, the island’s capital for at least 500 years before Christ – which took place in July 2010, helping write a new chapter of ancient history.
In 2011, the scale of projects more than doubled.
Maritime Archaeological research on the Mentor shipwreck was an additional major project in 2011. It was a ship that sank off Kythera in 1802, carrying 17 crates of Parthenon Sculptures.
Even though only formally established in early 2010, other achievements include;
• Opening a walking path to the historic Agios Kosmas church and partnering with the Metropoliti, Bishop Seraphim to organise the first service there in 100+ years
• Opening a walking path to the Agios Yioryios church at Paleokastro and partnering with the Metropoliti, Bishop Seraphim to organise the first service there in decades.
This also opened up access to the suspected location of the Temple of Aphrodite
• Opening a walking path to the Profitis Elias church and partnering with the Metropoliti, Bishop Seraphim to organise the first service there in decades
• Archaeology Month in Kythera, July 2011
• Sanctuary of Asclepius, partial archaeological survey
• Diakofti archaeological rescue excavation
• Paleopoli archaeological rescue excavation
• Partial support of archaeological excavations in Antikythera
• Partial support of archaeological excavations at Leska
• Yearly examination of the Sanctuary of Poseidon at Mikri Dragonara
• Supporting the establishment of a “Friends of the Kytherian Museum” organisation
• Public archaeology presentation in Potamos, 2010 & 2011
• Public archaeology presentation in Avlemonas (jointly organised)
• Public archaeology presentation in Diakofti (jointly organised)
• Public archaeology presentation in Mitata (jointly organised)
• Public archaeology presentation in Chora (2 occasions)
• Public archaeology presentation in Agia Pelagia (jointly organised)
• Public archaeology presentation in Mylopotamos (jointly organised)
• Public archaeology presentation at Sydney University (4 separate occasions)
• Public archaeology presentation in Brisbane (twice)
• Underwater photographic documentation of the Nordland shipwreck off Diakofti
• Discovery of ancient shipwrecks off Kythera
• 2010/2011 History/Archaeology Lecture Series (6 separate events).
• Museum Digitization Project, Phase I in creating a Virtual Kytherian Museum
• Unearthing Kythera’s early ties to Hellenism – through excavating the buried citadel at Paleokastro – which functioned as the island’s major settlement for at least 500 years during antiquity…
One of the main priorities is creating new bodies of work through field research, discovering material that is not ‘yet’ written in books.
We are the pioneers of new exploration in the field of Kytherian culture and heritage.
In 2010, over 150 volunteers worked on KRG assisted projects.
In 2011, over 200 volunteers have worked on KRG assisted projects.
We want to inspire current generations – particularly youth – in an interesting, active way… and write history for many future generations to learn from.