Nicosia:The University of Cyprus has been awarded approximately £4.3 million by the European Commission to coordinate SOPHIA-DN, a doctoral training network focusing on premodern ceramic heritage. This initiative, funded under the Horizon Europe Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks scheme, will run from 2027 to 2031.
According to Cyprus News Agency, SOPHIA-DN will train 15 doctoral researchers at key archaeological science centers across Europe. The project was developed by Dr. Athanasios K. Vionis and Dr. Maria Dikomitou-Eliadou from the University's Archaeological Research Unit, with Dr. Vionis serving as Project Coordinator and Dr. Dikomitou-Eliadou as Project Manager. This marks the second large-scale program coordinated by the University in archaeological science.
The research focuses on ceramics, a vital component of material heritage, to explore ancient craft traditions and their evolution. The project integrates archaeometric analysis, experimental archaeology, archaeological interpretation, and artificial intelligence. Researchers will reconstruct ancient production techniques and develop AI-assisted methods to analyze and interpret large datasets related to ceramic production.
SOPHIA-DN involves 20 organizations, including eight beneficiaries from EU countries such as Italy, Greece, Spain, Ireland, and France. It also includes 12 associated partners from various countries, extending the research's global reach. The project covers a historical range from the Neolithic to the post-medieval periods, with case studies spanning Europe, Africa, and the Arabian Gulf.
The network aims to recruit doctoral candidates between September and November 2027, offering them comprehensive training and research opportunities. Candidates will learn through a multidisciplinary approach involving archaeology, geology, and computer science, among others.
Dr. Vionis and Dr. Dikomitou-Eliadou emphasized the significance of SOPHIA-DN in recovering historical knowledge of materials and techniques, contributing to a deeper understanding of ceramic heritage worldwide.