Press Releases

The book and exhibition “Talking Hands” examine the experiences and stories of residents of Episkopi village in Cyprus, whose lives were interwoven in one way or another by archaeological work.

Even though Episkopi residents were involved in archaeological excavations conducted by Cypriot and foreign missions since the beginnings of Cypriot archaeology in the 19^th century, their thoughts and experiences have been omitted from official archaeological narratives. Especially during colonial times, archaeological workers were considered the “hands” of archaeology; mindless workers not important enough to mention or document.

To give voice to the “hands” of archaeology, photographer/researcher Theopisti Stylianou-Lambert, archaeologists Elisavet Stefani and Michael Given, and historian Polina Nicolaou conducted an oral history and photography project titled “Talking Hands”. Since the stories of workers cannot be found in archaeological records and publications, the team needed to talk directly to people who were involved in archaeological excavations or knew people who were. In 2022 and 2023, Elisavet Stefani and Polina Nicolaou interviewed participants, between the ages of 65 and 87, who were recruited through word of mouth. During the interviews, photographer Theopisti Stylianou-Lambert took photographs of the participants, which document the people as they appear today, the space, and the archaeological artefacts that are the most important to them. More particularly, “Talking Hands” includes the photographs of and stories by Eleni Christou, Socrates Savva, Thessalia (Sally) Onoufriou Kyriakou, Maroulla Triantafilidou, Antonis Polycarpou, Maria Alexandrou, Demosthenis (Dimos) Theodorou, Katina Tyllirou, Chrystalla Evangelou, Anna Konstantinou, and Irene Kontou. Most of our participants worked at archaeological excavations as seasonal workers, supporting staff for various expeditions, guards, or specialised technicians.

The project was funded by the Cyprus University of Technology and the CYENS Centre of Excellence. The book is published by the Department of Antiquities and will be launched along with an exhibition at the Local Archaeological Kourion Museum in Episkopi, on 10^th May 2024, at 19:00.

(GS/EP)