Dr. Irene Lemos

Biography

Professor Irene Lemos specializes in Classical Archaeology at the University of Oxford, where she is a fellow at Merton College. Her research primarily focuses on the archaeology of Early Greece, exploring themes such as the collapse of Mycenaean culture and the Persian Wars from 1200 to 480 BC. A significant part of her work has involved excavating at Lefkandi on the Greek island of Euboea, a site that served as an important hub for exchange and material culture during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages. Her investigations center on the interconnections among Greek communities and the broader Mediterranean during this period, particularly concerning the introduction of alphabetic writing and the emergence of new technologies related to iron. Since directing the excavation at Lefkandi in 2003, Professor Lemos has published numerous findings and supervised graduate students focused on related topics. She also teaches undergraduate courses related to the Greeks in the Mediterranean, including the cities, sanctuaries, and cemeteries of the Archaic and Classical periods.

Research Interests