Excavating the Nation: European Popular Nationalism and the Excavations of Delphi and Knossos, 1890–1914

European popular nationalism at the turn of the twentieth century influenced public perceptions of Greek archaeology, particularly through the excavations at Delphi and Knossos. This study reveals that these archaeological endeavors were often exalted as evidence of national genius, with findings interpreted through the lens of national identity in popular periodical publications. The research analyzes news-media coverage from nationally prominent publications during 1890–1914, demonstrating how archaeologists were increasingly relied upon to empirically entrench and legitimize modern nation-states by linking them to a civilizational pedigree. This highlights the intersection of scientific study and nationalist projects, showing how diffuse understandings of national heritage shaped public perceptions of Greek archaeology as a discipline inherently tied to turn-of-the-century nationalism.

Cavanagh, M. (2024). Excavating the Nation: European Popular Nationalism and the Excavations of Delphi and Knossos, 1890–1914. Bulletin of the History of Archaeology, 34(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/bha-665