NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Humanities Field Study Guide
This is the largest museum in Greece and houses archaeological finds from
all over the country. The collections shed light on Greek civilization from the
Prehistoric Period to Late Antiquity. The imposing neo-classical building
dates from the end of the 19th century.
The focus of our visit is on the evolution of the human figure in Greek
sculpture. Notice how the figures change over time and write down any
questions you may have.
GROUND FLOOR
Greek Sculpture Rooms 7 - 35
A. GEOMETRIC PERIOD
1. Dipylon Funeral Amphora (Geometric, 750 BC)
Although this is not a sculpture, we can see some interesting
human figures among the variety of geometric designs on this
amphora. In your field notebook, take notes on the following
questions:
● What materials are used here to portray the human figure?
● What does the human figure look like here?
● What do the figures seem to be doing?
● What else do you notice about this amphora?
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Free-Standing and Relief Sculpture
For each of the sculptures that we will be observing during our visit
of the Museum today, please take notes in your field study
notebook based on the following details:
● Name, Date, Size
● Facial characteristics (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hair, etc.)
● Body (pose, anatomy details)
● Other interesting observations or connections
B. ARCHAIC PERIOD
From the time of the ancient Greek lawgiver Draco, 600 BC, the Kouros
becomes a dominant theme in Greek sculpture. One of the main goals of
Archaic sculpture was to achieve perfection in rendering the naked male
body in free-standing sculptures made of marble. A female body in Greek
sculpture was called a Kore and was always fully clothed.
1. Kouros of Sounion (an offering to Poseidon) approx. 600
B.C.
2. Kouros of Volomandra (mid-6th c. Attica)
3. Phrasikleia Kore, 550 - 530 BC.
4. Stele of Aristion (late 6th c. Attica)
Funeral marker of a young infantryman or hoplite, done by Aristokles.
5. Kouros Croesus (520 BC Anavyssos)
6. Kouros Aristodikos (500 BC Attica)
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C. EARLY CLASSICAL PERIOD
1. Poseidon (460 BC found in Cape Artemision)
This work shows the stunning development in the portrayal of the male figure
that has taken place by the early Classical period, also called the Severe
Style. Remember to take careful notes on this sculpture in your field
study notebook based on the following details:
● Name, Date, Size
● Facial characteristics (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hair, etc.)
● Body (pose, anatomy details)
● Other interesting observations or connections
D. HIGH CLASSICAL and HELLENISTIC PERIODS
In your field study notebook, take notes on the following examples of High
Classical and Hellenistic Greek sculpture.
1. Hegeso Stele (410 BC Athens) relief sculpture
The pose is typical of many steles (funeral markers) of the Classical period,
but the harmony and flowing rhythm elevates it to a great work of art.
2. Diadoumenos (found on the island of Delos in the Cyclades)
This is a copy of an original sculpture made by Polykleitos sometime between
450-425 BC. Although the copy was made much later (around 100 B.C), it
represents the style of the Classical Period.
3. Bronze Horse and Rider (created in the 2nd c. BC. It was found
in Cape Artemision along with the statue of Poseidon)
Hellenistic characteristics include the extremes of emotions and feeling that
are obvious in the rendering of the face and body of the boy and the horse.
BREAK FOR LUNCH
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E. Collection of Antiquities of Thera
“Postcard from Thera”
Thera is the southernmost island of the Cyclades, situated within a relatively
short distance of Crete.
During the 16th century BC the eruption of the volcano resulted in the sinking
of a large part of the island. This collapse created a huge cavity, the caldera,
that was covered by the sea.
The ash covered the ruins of Akrotiri, the settlement, preserving the images of
a civilization devastated by the volcanic eruption. Akrotiri has been deservedly
named “Pompeii of the Aegean”.
Select four different types of artifacts from this exhibit that you
consider particularly interesting.
Make notes in your Field Notebook based on the following details:
● Name, Date
● What do you see? - make note of at least ONE specific detail
● What do you think? - write at least TWO ideas about what you see
● What do you wonder? - write at least ONE question about each site
● Take photos or make sketches of details of 4 chosen artifacts (at least one
needs to be from the frescoes).
