Dr. Evi Margaritis is an Associate Professor in Environmental Archaeology at the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC) of the Cyprus Institute. A leading expert in Mediterranean archaeobotany, she has significantly advanced the study of ancient agriculture, plant-based rituals, and island archaeology.

Dr. Margaritis studied Archaeology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens before earning an MSc in Environmental Archaeology and Palaeoeconomy from the University of Sheffield and a PhD from the University of Cambridge. She has held prestigious postdoctoral fellowships at the British School at Athens, the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, and was a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow at the University of Cambridge.

Her research spans a diverse range of topics, including:

· Olive oil and wine production in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region

· The ritual use of plants in prehistoric and early historic Europe

· Urbanization and the emergence of early states in 2nd millennium BCE Europe

· Greek and Roman agriculture and culinary traditions

· The agricultural history of Cyprus and broader island archaeology

Since her appointment as an Assistant Professor at STARC in 2015, Dr. Margaritis has established Cyprus’ first archaeobotany laboratory from the ground up. She is the only archaeobotanist with a permanent academic affiliation in Cyprus and has attracted PhD students from around the world. She has also fostered strong collaborations with key institutions, including the Deputy Ministry of Culture, the Department of Antiquities, the Cypriot American Archaeological Research Institute (CAARI), the Cultural Foundation of the Bank of Cyprus, and numerous foreign archaeological missions in the region.

Dr. Margaritis is the co-director of the Keros Excavation and Research Project, one of the most multidisciplinary archaeological projects in the Eastern Mediterranean, where she also serves as Director of Environmental Studies.

Her publication record includes numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, two edited volumes (one focused on Cyprus), and a co-authored monograph.

Beyond academia, Dr. Margaritis is actively engaged in public outreach. She has been featured in archaeological documentaries and television programs on National Greek TV, ARTE, and National Geographic, bringing the story of ancient Mediterranean agriculture and societies to a wider audience