25 years of EAA

EAA 2002 Thessaloniki, Greece


The Diploma and the Heritage Prize are handed over to Dr. Henry Cleere (left). Prof. Willem Willems (right), President of the EAA, congratulates the Winner at the opening ceremony in Thessaloniki (© TEA 18, Winter 2002).

“The EAA Committee for the European Archaeological Heritage Prize has decided to award the fourth Heritage Prize of the European Association of Archaeologists to Henry Cleere for the central role he has played in the internationalisation and modernisation of archaeological heritage management in Europe during the last 25 years”. From the Statement from the Heritage Prize Committee 2002.


Dancing the Sirtaki, a traditional Greek dance, at the Annual Party, EAA 2002 Thessaloniki (photo by Ekaterina Kashina).

Dr. Shishlina and Prof. Kristiansen dance at the Annual Party, EAA 2002 Thessaloniki (photo by Ekaterina Kashina).

Russian colleagues at the Annual Party, EAA 2002 Thessaloniki (photo by Ekaterina Kashina).

EAA 2002 was the 8th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Archaeologists, and took place from 24-28 September 2002 in Thessaloniki, Greece. The 8th AM, held at the Philosophy School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, was co-organized jointly by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. Attendance of 850 delegates from 48 countries made it the highest figure in the history of the EAA to that point. While this is far fewer than attended the 2018 AM in Barcelona, it did mark the continued expansion of EAA, and the annual meeting as a major event in the yearly calendar of many European archaeologists. The Opening Ceremony was held in the Main Amphitheatre of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where Henry Cleere was awarded the 2002 EAA Archaeological Heritage Prize. Additional culture events were offered free of charge on Friday afternoon.

“The EAA meeting in Thessaloniki has been a tremendous success. Not only did we have our biggest Annual Meeting ever, the outstanding hospitality of our Greek colleagues will see to it that we will always fondly remember the general atmosphere of this meeting. It has by now also received several favourable reviews because of its programme.
Thessaloniki will also be remembered for several important decisions. The Annual Business Meeting decided to change the membership system, which, in combination with the new contract with the publisher of the European Journal of Archaeology, will lead to a sustainable financial future for the EAA. Membership has also increased considerably since last year, which proves that EAA is serving the needs of European archaeologists.”
Willem J.H. Willems in “The President’s Corner”, The European Archaeologist, No 18, Winter 2002, p. 2.

Please help us remember the early years of the European Association of Archaeologists. If you have any fun and interesting pictures from past events, e-mail us at tea@e-a-a.org.

EAA 2009 Riva del Garda, Italy

The 15th EAA AM was attended by 671 registered participants and was held in Riva del Garda, Italy from 15 – 20 September 2009. Organised by the Archaeological Heritage Office of the Autonomous Province of Trento and the Riva del Garda Museum, OriKata Organizzazione congressi and Rivatour agency. Along with the scientific and social programmes, the excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Valcomonica to see the rock art was particularly well attended, including by two future TEA editors who bring you these 25 Year EAA Anniversary issues.




EAA members touring the Valcomonica rock art during an excursion, EAA 2009 Riva del Garda (photos by Katharina Rebay-Salisbury and Roderick B. Salisbury).