Archaeological activity in the country recorded a sharp increase in 2024, according to the annual Survey of Antiquities Ephorates published by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT). The number of archaeological research projects reached 2,818, compared to 1,681 in 2023, recording an increase of 67.6%, while total funding reached 15 million euros, an increase of 21.1% compared to the previous year.
At the same time, project spending on monuments and archaeological sites amounted to 68.7 million euros, an increase of 7.6%, while spending on museums and other buildings reached 22.5 million euros, an increase of 36.1%. These figures reflect an overall revival of interventions in the cultural infrastructure sector.
The declarations of new archaeological sites also show an impressive increase, reaching 25 (compared to 6 in 2023), while the number of historical sites included in the protection regime also increased, from 1 in 2023 to 7 in 2024. At the same time, the declarations of newer monuments and protection zones reached 60, marking an increase compared to the previous year.
On the other hand, a decrease is recorded in the deliveries of ancient objects (2,416 compared to 4,538 in 2023) and in seizures of antiquities, which were limited to 108 cases, from 160 the previous year — an indication, however, that the supervision mechanism remains active, with a clearly smaller scope of incidents.
At this point, it should be emphasized that the ELSTAT survey, which has been carried out annually since 1970, collects data from all the Ephorates of Antiquities, the Services of Modern Monuments and the Regional Services of the Ministry of Culture, consistently reflecting the evolution of research, projects and actions for the protection of cultural heritage.
In support of the above, this year’s findings show a revitalization of archaeological work, in a period where culture is increasingly linked to local development, tourism and the international image of Greece. Moreover, the increase in investments in conservation and display projects is a clear indication that cultural heritage remains a key pillar of sustainable development.–
