The 2006 Visiting Professor - Jacques Perreault

Professor Jacques Perreault gained his BA from the Université Laval, Québec, in 1979, followed by an MA from the same institution in 1981 with the thesis "Les débuts de la présence grecque sur la côte syro-palestinienne à l'Age du Fer". In 1984 he was awarded his doctorate, with Mention très bien et félicitations du jury, from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris. His thesis was entitled "La céramique attique au Levant: étude des échanges entre la Grèce et le Proche-Orient aux VIème-Vème siècles". Perreault was subsequently appointed Director of the Canadian Archaeological institute at Athens, and then Associate Professor at Concordia University. He is now Professor of Greek Archaeology at the University of Montreal. Professor Perreault has excavated widely throughout Greece, as well as in Syria, France and the Soviet Union. He is currently director of the Canadian Excavations at Ras el Bassit (Syria) and co-director of the Greek-Canadian Excavations at Argilos (Greece).

1. Argilos, a Greek Colony in Thracian Territory
Since 1992, Greek and Canadian archaeologists have been excavating one of the earliest Greek colonies in the Northern Aegean. Founded in 655/654 B.C., Argilos rapidly became a flourishing city which benefited from its trading activities in the region. This lecture will present the discoveries made on the site, amongst which are surprisingly well preserved houses and public buildings.

2. The Kilns of Thasos: an Island Potter's Workshop in Ancient Greece
Pottery production increased greatly during the archaic period in the Greek world and we know of many different styles and production centres. Unfortunately, very few pottery workshops of this period have been found. This lecture will present the results of the excavation of one of these where, apart from the impressive quantity of vases uncovered, all structures necessary to the production of pottery have been found.

3. Ras el Bassit, a Port of Trade on the North Syrian Coast
From 1971 until 1984, French archaeologists excavated the Bronze and Iron Age levels of this small coastal town known to the ancient Greeks as Posidéion. After several study seasons, work was resumed on the site by Canadian archaeologists, who have concentrated their excavations on an early Christian basilica. The aim of this lecture is to present the history of Ras el Bassit, based on the excavations of both teams.

1. City Planning in Greek Colonies : the Case of Argilos
The exceptional quality of the remains brought to light at Argilos give us the opportunity to study fundamental aspects linked to the development of colonial urbanism. How does a city, founded on a territory which was probably not hostile but surely very different from the homeland, take birth ? What is the rhythm of its development, what conditioned it? In this seminar we shall examine the urban development of Argilos during the 7th and 6th centuries B.C.

2. Floral cups : an Athenian Black-Figured Pottery Style
The aim of this seminar is to present a large group of late Athenian black figured cups that are solely decorated with floral motifs. These cups, which were made in great quantities and distributed all around the Mediterranean and Black seas, have received little interest by pottery specialists. Emphasis will be given on the establishment of a typological and chronological classification.

3. Old and New Interpretations on the Greeks in the East
In recent years, the main interpretations on the form and date of Greek establishments in the Near East during the geometric and archaic periods have been challenged by the results of new excavations and ongoing discoveries of Greek pottery along the Syro-Palestinian coast and of Levantine objects in Greece. In this seminar will shall address the problems of when and how the Greeks established themselves in the East.

*The 2006 Visiting Professorship is generously sponsored by various Governors of the AAIA and the Thyne Reid Charitable Trusts



		The 2006 Visiting Professor
		The 2006 Visiting Professor
			Jacques Perreault Professor of Greek Archaeology, The University of Montreal Professor Jacques Perreault gained his BA from the Université Laval, Québec, in 1979, followed by an MA from the same institution in 1981 with the thesis "Les débuts de la présence grecque sur la côte syro-palestinienne à l'Age du Fer". In 1984 he was awarded his doctorate, with Mention très bien et félicitations du jury, from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris. His thesis was entitled "La céramique attique au Levant: étude des échanges entre la Grèce et le Proche-Orient aux VIème-Vème siècles". Perreault was subsequently appointed Director of the Canadian Archaeological institute at Athens, and then Associate Professor at Concordia University. He is now Professor of Greek Archaeology at the University of Montreal. Professor Perreault has excavated widely throughout Greece, as well as in Syria, France and the Soviet Union. He is currently director of the Canadian Excavations at Ras el Bassit (Syria) and co-director of the Greek-Canadian Excavations at Argilos (Greece). Public Lectures 1. Argilos, a Greek Colony in Thracian Territory Since 1992, Greek and Canadian archaeologists have been excavating one of the earliest Greek colonies in the Northern Aegean. Founded in 655/654 B.C., Argilos rapidly became a flourishing city which benefited from its trading activities in the region. This lecture will present the discoveries made on the site, amongst which are surprisingly well preserved houses and public buildings. 2. The Kilns of Thasos: an Island Potter's Workshop in Ancient Greece Pottery production increased greatly during the archaic period in the Greek world and we know of many different styles and production centres. Unfortunately, very few pottery workshops of this period have been found. This lecture will present the results of the excavation of one of these where, apart from the impressive quantity of vases uncovered, all structures necessary to the production of pottery have been found. 3. Ras el Bassit, a Port of Trade on the North Syrian Coast From 1971 until 1984, French archaeologists excavated the Bronze and Iron Age levels of this small coastal town known to the ancient Greeks as Posidéion. After several study seasons, work was resumed on the site by Canadian archaeologists, who have concentrated their excavations on an early Christian basilica. The aim of this lecture is to present the history of Ras el Bassit, based on the excavations of both teams. Seminars 1. City Planning in Greek Colonies : the Case of Argilos The exceptional quality of the remains brought to light at Argilos give us the opportunity to study fundamental aspects linked to the development of colonial urbanism. How does a city, founded on a territory which was probably not hostile but surely very different from the homeland, take birth ? What is the rhythm of its development, what conditioned it? In this seminar we shall examine the urban development of Argilos during the 7th and 6th centuries B.C. 2. Floral cups : an Athenian Black-Figured Pottery Style The aim of this seminar is to present a large group of late Athenian black figured cups that are solely decorated with floral motifs. These cups, which were made in great quantities and distributed all around the Mediterranean and Black seas, have received little interest by pottery specialists. Emphasis will be given on the establishment of a typological and chronological classification. 3. Old and New Interpretations on the Greeks in the East In recent years, the main interpretations on the form and date of Greek establishments in the Near East during the geometric and archaic periods have been challenged by the results of new excavations and ongoing discoveries of Greek pottery along the Syro-Palestinian coast and of Levantine objects in Greece. In this seminar will shall address the problems of when and how the Greeks established themselves in the East. *The 2006 Visiting Professorship is generously sponsored by various Governors of the AAIA and the Thyne Reid Charitable Trusts