“Our mission is to advance the understanding of the past through rigorous research and innovative approaches.”
KORSEAI
Institute of Historical &
Archaeological Research
“Our mission is to advance the understanding of the past through rigorous research and innovative approaches.”
KORSEAI
Institute of Historical &
Archaeological Research
The Team
Here, we open a window into the lives and minds of the dedicated people who fuel the institute’s groundbreaking work. Their combined expertise and passion for unraveling history’s mysteries are what drive our success.
Dr. George Koutsouflakis
Dr. George Koutsouflakis
Dr. George Koutsouflakis is a prominent figure in the field of Maritime Archaeology, known for his extensive work in uncovering the secrets of ancient shipwrecks. As the former Director of the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities and Assistant Professor of Underwater Archaeology at the University of Thessaly, he has led groundbreaking expeditions that have significantly contributed to our understanding of Greek maritime history. His academic credentials are equally impressive, with a Ph.D. in Classical Archaeology and an M.A. in Prehistoric Archaeology from the National Kapodistrian University of Athens. His research has been pivotal in exploring ancient navigation and maritime connectivity, enriching the field with his scholarly publications.
In 2015, Dr. Koutsouflakis made headlines with the discovery of 22 shipwrecks in the Fournoi archipelago, a find that was expanded to 45 wrecks the following year. These discoveries represent a substantial portion of all known shipwrecks in Greek waters, spanning over 2,000 years of history. Born in Piraeus in 1968, his passion for archaeology has been the driving force behind his career. Since 1992, he has been actively involved in numerous research projects and excavations, holding a permanent position within the Ministry of Culture since 2005. His hands-on approach as a Technical and CCR Diver showcases his dedication to exploring the depths of the sea to bring ancient stories to the surface.
Dr. Peter B. Campbell
Dr. Peter G. Cambell
Dr. Peter B. Campbell, a renowned underwater archaeologist, holds both a Master of Arts (MA) degree and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Maritime Archaeology. His expertise lies in uncovering submerged mysteries, from shipwrecks to sunken cities.
As a Lecturer in Archaeology at Cranfield University, he spearheads the esteemed MSc Investigation of Heritage Crime program. Dr. Campbell has led archaeological missions in eight countries, exploring shipwrecks, aircrafts, sunken cities, and underwater caves. His captivating journeys across the globe delve into the depths of history, revealing secrets hidden beneath the waves.
Manos Mytikas
Manos Mytikas
Manos Mytikas, a civil engineer by profession and a passionate spearfisherman by calling, has become an integral part of the marine archaeological community. His journey began in the Municipality of Fournoi Korseon, where the allure of the Aegean Sea’s hidden secrets captivated him. The local lore of shipwrecks around the Fournoi archipelago drew him to join forces with a team of marine archaeologists, becoming an unexpected ally due to his deep connection with the sea and his lineage as a descendant fo pirates.
His unique insights and knowledge of the local waters led to the discovery of over 40 ancient shipwrecks, revealing a rich tapestry of maritime history that spans from antiquity to the early 19th century. As he explored alongside the archaeologists, Manos felt a profound kinship with the seafarers of old, whose stories are now being told through the relics they left behind. Dubbed the ‘accidental historian,’ Manos continues to aid in the unraveling of Fournoi’s underwater past, his life deeply intertwined with the rhythmic pulse of the sea.
Vasilis Mentogiannis
Vasilis Mentogiannis
Vasilis Mentogiannis, born in Athens in 1973, is a Mechanical Engineer and Commercial Diver. Since 2005, he has been the technical director of the UFR Team, specializing in underwater services and documentation. His work covers a wide range of projects, from the Marine Construction Industry to Maritime Cultural Heritage. Vasilis is passionate about directing historical and archaeological documentaries, some of which have received awards at international film festivals. He also publishes scientific articles about cultural heritage surveys and marine life.
As one of the co-founders of the Korseai Institute of Historical & Archeological Research and founder of the Hippocampus Marine Institute, Vasilis has contributed significantly to underwater exploration and preservation of our unerwater ecosystems. Additionally, he significantly contributed to designing the uNdersea visiOn sUrveillance System (NOUS). NOUS is an innovative prototype system that provides continuous video monitoring at depths up to -150m, giving 24/7 watch over an underwater area of interest.
Dimitra Voutyrea
Dimitra Voutyrea
Dimitra Voutyrea holds a degree in History and Archaeology with a specialization in Archaeology and Art History from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She furthered her education by earning a master’s in Maritime and Coastal Archaeology from Aix-Marseille University through the A*Midex Initiative of Excellence. Scholarships from the Onassis Foundation and the French Government have supported Dimitra’s academic journey.
Since 2016, Dimitra has been an active scientific staff member involved in terrestrial and underwater excavations and surveys across Greece and Southern France. Her expertise extends to archaeological supervision in Preventive Archaeology projects. Notably, she has been entrusted with ceramic research in France (DRASSM – French Ministry of Culture, Ipso Facto). Currently, Dimitra is a doctoral candidate at the Austrian Archaeological Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (Athens branch), focusing on the project “Crossing the Sea: Pottery from Asia Minor in Athens.” Her contributions also include participation in international conferences and workshops held in Europe and Asia
Olga Marinaki
Olga Marinaki
Olga Marinaki is an emerging scholar in the field of archaeology, currently pursuing her PhD in Archaeology at the Complutense University of Madrid, with a focus on Ancient World Studies. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology and Art History from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, followed by a Master’s degree in Maritime and Coastal Archaeology from the University of Aix-Marseille. Olga’s dedication to her field is evident through her active participation in significant projects and her receipt of scholarships, such as for the “32nd Congress of Rei Cretariae Romanae Favtorvm” and the archaeological inventory compilation for the Kasos project.
Professionally, Olga has been a vital member of various archaeological teams, including the Kasos project and the Fournoi Underwater Archaeological Project. Her expertise extends to archaeological supervision for major companies like Cosco Shipping and Nexans, overseeing critical expansions and installations. Olga’s involvement in research projects, such as “Byzantine Amphorae and Commerce in Ephesos,” showcases her commitment to advancing archaeological knowledge and contributing to the understanding of ancient commerce and trade practices.
Angelos Tsompanidis
Angelos Tsompanidis
Angelos Tsombanidis, born in 1976 in Thessaloniki, is an underwater conservator. His journey through time and tides has been nothing short of remarkable:
Diving Conservator: Since 2000, Angelos has explored sunken realms, retrieving fragments of history from the depths. His salt-kissed and reverent hands have touched ancient vases, Byzantine coins, and even a 2,000-year-old shrimp feast meant for sailors.
Angelos’s leadership was tested on daring quests during Coastal Expeditions. In 2016, he bravely rescued artifacts off the island of Modi in the Argolic Gulf, overcoming the treacherous conditions of the deep sea. He orchestrated collaborative research in South Euboea and Fournoi Korseon.
The Pagasitic Gulf yielded secrets under his watchful eye.
And in 2013, he surveyed the commercial port of Rhodes, safeguarding wooden wrecks in the Mediterranean.
Angelos’s passion lies in preserving our submerged heritage—a silent symphony of shipwrecks whispered tales, and the ebb and flow of time.
Eleni-Margarita Barda
Eleni-Margarita Barda
Eleni-Margarita Barda was born in 1993 in Athens to a Scottish mother and a Greek father. She is a final student of the SAET Department of the TEI of Athens, majoring in “Conservation of Archaeological and Historical Objects”. She completed one semester of her studies at the Polytechnic University of Valencia in Spain through the Erasmus program, her internship at the Tax Office of Marine Antiquities in Athens and the Mary Rose Trust in Portsmouth, England. She is preparing her thesis on the methods of detachment and extraction of organic materials from underwater excavation.
She participates in underwater research and excavations as a diving conservator (Fournoi Korseon, Ikaria, Modi, Ancient Epidaurus, Chios, Albania) but also in land ones (Makris Gialos, Crete, Ancient Eliki). Her experience of participating in European youth exchange programs and volunteering have made her able to work and collaborate comfortably in multicultural environments. He speaks Greek, English and Spanish. He holds a CMAS-EOUDATK Advanced Nitrox 100% Diver diploma and is an active Korseai Institute of Historical and Archaeological Research Foundation member.