Senta German (Montclair State University), “Piet de Jong and the Post War Restorations of Knossos”

BSA Bader Archive Lecture
Abstract: To most visitors, the restorations of the site of Knossos are the site’s most distinguishing feature. Begun under the direction of Sir Arthur Evans during his first season of excavation in 1900, work to restore, stabilize and/or save the architecture and built spaces of the palace has remained a near constant activity. The extensive restorations of Knossos were the vision of Evans however his last architect, Piet de Jong, who also served as curator of the site after Evans’ death and during the complex post-war era from 1947-1952, played a particularly important role in creating what Knossos looks like today. Relying extensively on the archive of the British School at Athens, this talk will present the unique and enduring aspects of De Jong’s restorations as well as how US Marshall Plan funds played a critical role in their accomplishment.