Amy Elizabeth Porter

• BA Archaeology and Classical Studies (University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter)
• MA Antiquity: Classical Archaeology with Distinction (University of Birmingham)

I conducted my BA in Archaeology and Classical Studies at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter in 2011, graduating in 2014. My A Level in Classical Civilisation ignited my interest in Greek Temples, with a determination to conduct my thesis on this topic. After organising my own study tour around Greece in June 2013 I became interested in the placement of Greek temples and Landscape Archaeology as a concept which led me to the field I now focus on, with my dissertation on the placement of the Temple of Apollo at Bassae, near Phigaleia, Arkadia.

I started my postgraduate studies as a Research Master’s in Amsterdam, with VU Amsterdam and modules at UvA, where my research focused on the placement of Artemis sanctuaries in Arkadia. I later decided that there were more resources available for research and learning at University of Birmingham, due to its strong foundation in both Landscape Archaeology and Greek Archaeology. I completed my MA in Classical Archaeology at University of Birmingham where my research focussed turned from the cult of Artemis to the cult Zeus. My MA thesis: The Birthplace of Zeus: A theoretical and GIS study of the evolution and sacred landscape of the sanctuary of Zeus Lykaios’, examined Sanctuary of Zeus Lykaios on Mount Lykaion, Arkadia, which is near to the Temple of Apollo at Bassae, and focused on the application of GIS to identify the importance of the site in the region and beyond: ‘

After a year as a supply teacher in Secondary Schools, I decided to return to research. As my research focuses on Landscape and Greek Archaeology, the University of Birmingham was an obvious choice as a good environment to continue my studies. I have since taught on several modules including Greek Archaeology (2017-2019), Mediterranean and European Archaeology (2017-2019) and Study Tour (2023-2024). I have also worked for the Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS, 2020-2021) and volunteered for the CAHA museum (2018) and for outreach (2017-2018). 

• Greek Art and Archaeology (Lead Seminar Tutor)
• Mediterranean and European Archaeology (Seminar Tutor)

PhD title

Beyond the border: Exploring the cult sites of Ancient Arkadia and Lakonia

Supervisors

Dr Ken Wardle and Professor Henry Chapman

Course

Classics and Ancient History PhD/MA by Research (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

The cult sites in SE Arkadia and NW Lakonia provide further understanding of individual cults across the Greek world focusing on sites dated to Archaic-Hellenistic periods. This localised approach examines two bordering sub-regions to establish the relationship or disparity of these areas including their individuality, or regionality, related to their cults. This research integrates GIS-derived and find-related data analyses, creating new holistic interpretations of sites, from surveys, or excavations. GIS analyses included: elevation, slope, aspect, and proximity to rivers. Other analyses include location-based analyses, site size and length of occupation. There was also detailed analyses of objects with emphasis on: miniatures, lamps, figurines, metal objects, bones, and unique objects like ivory and masks. The key themes were hero versus ethnos cult, militaristic versus domestic (or male versus family) and cult uniqueness in some cases, although dining and feasting versus drinking and libations was also important. This thesis tackles regionality and shows how the cult sites fit into this narrative. This thesis broadens the understanding of these regions, highlighting the importance of the cult site in its context. This research also acts as a springboard for further research using survey data for other site types from initial analysis in both sub-regions.

• CAL PGR Mentor (representing SHaC) 2018-2019
• IT Officer (2015-present), Specialist Editor (2015-present) and Archaeological Pieces Editor (2017-present) for Rosetta Forum and Journal
• Postgraduate Lead at CAHA Museum (January-September 2018)
• Lead Organiser CAHA Colloquium 2018 (December 2017-May 2018)
• School Outreach for CAHA department including object handling sessions and Greek History Lectures (October 2017-September 2018)

Conference Papers

• 26 May 2020, CAHA Colloquium - University of Birmingham: 'Tackling Regionality: Identifying the Dynamics of Scale in Arkadia and Lakonia'
• 6-7 December 2018, PeCla 2018. Pólemos – Bellum: Archaeology of Conflict in Antiquity – Charles University, Prague (Czech Republic): ‘Contested or Connected Spaces? The Conflicting Relationship between the sanctuaries on the border of Arkadia and Lakonia in the Classical and Hellenistic periods’.
• 12-13 March 2018, GAO Annual International Conference 2018 Order and Chaos – University of Oxford, Oxford (UK):‘Order in the Ancient Polis: the use of GIS in the organisation of sites in the asty and chora of Archaic to Hellenistic Lakonia’. Received funding from University of Birmingham for travel and accommodation.
• 14-16 December 2017, EJI-PATER 1st Young Researchers’ Meeting in Heritage and Territory – University of Minho, Braga (Portugal): ‘Asty and Chora, a hidden heritage: using GIS to define the changing relationship between the Peloponnesian town and countryside from the Archaic to Hellenistic period’.