Transforming Archaeological Science at The Cyprus Institute

OneArchSci is an ambitious initiative aimed at attracting an innovative researcher to lead, integrate, and expand the archaeological science group at The Cyprus Institute. The project aspires to establish a unified “One Archaeological Science” approach to address the current fragmentation in the field. By doing so, it aims to position the team as a regional leader across the Balkans, Eastern Mediterranean, and Middle East (BEMME)—a region of rich cultural interconnections from the Bronze Age to the Ottoman period, while honoring the distinct identities of its peoples.

OneArchSci is an ambitious initiative aimed at attracting an innovative researcher to lead, integrate, and expand the archaeological science group at The Cyprus Institute. The project aspires to establish a unified “One Archaeological Science” approach to address the current fragmentation in the field. By doing so, it aims to position the team as a regional leader across the Balkans, Eastern Mediterranean, and Middle East (BEMME)—a region of rich cultural interconnections from the Bronze Age to the Ottoman period, while honoring the distinct identities of its peoples.

Through collaboration across academic, governmental, NGO, and SME sectors, OneArchSci will generate societal impact on critical issues. Over five years, Professor Patrick Degryse, a renowned researcher and manager from KU Leuven, one of Europe’s leading universities in Horizon Europe funding, will collaborate with The Cyprus Institute’s team to establish a formally incorporated research facility. A rising-star researcher will be recruited as the long-term team leader, supported by an emerging generation of scholars to drive lasting change. This partnership with KU Leuven will extend beyond the project’s timeline, fostering opportunities for brain circulation, research innovation, and educational programs. It will also leverage archaeological science to provide insights into urgent modern challenges such as migration, climate change, and environmental degradation.

Founded in 2005, The Cyprus Institute (CyI) is a pioneering research and postgraduate education organization with a mission to transform Cyprus into a knowledge-based economy and serve as a bridge between the EU and the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Governed by an international Board of Trustees, CyI operates on three pillars of excellence: world-class research infrastructure, top-tier researchers, and robust international networks.The Institute has an outstanding track record of attracting global talent, supported by its English-speaking environment, proactive research culture, and competitive European-level salaries. CyI’s cutting-edge research facilities, unique for the island, underscore its commitment to innovation. Archaeological Science is a top priority for CyI, with its Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC) being one of the Institute’s three founding research centers. STARC’s interdisciplinary approach—bridging humanities, life sciences, and materials science—makes it a standout institution in Cyprus and one of the few of its kind in the BEMME region.

Through OneArchSci, The Cyprus Institute reaffirms its dedication to advancing archaeological science, fostering regional collaboration, and addressing contemporary global challenges with insights from the past.