It is with great pleasure that we share the announcement of the conference “HYDOR: Water Resources and Management in the Aegean Bronze Age”, the XXth international Aegean Conference, which will take place from 11-16 June at the University of Amsterdam in The Netherlands.

Water is arguably the most important substance of human life. However, in comparison to other liquids such as oil and wine, it has received relatively little attention in the study of the Aegean Bronze Age. The drainage of Lake Copaïs and the rerouting of a river at Tiryns indicate that knowledge on water engineering was present in Mycenaean society. Likewise, the water system in the Minoan Palace at Knossos indicates an awareness of the importance of hygiene and water provision.

The twentieth International Aegean Conference will be held in Amsterdam, a city situated in a riverine delta below the sea level. We will focus on different aspects of water and its effects on Aegean Bronze Age societies and are inviting scholars to share their recent research on:

– Drinking water (storage, transport, vessels etc.)
– Water provision (wells, springs, piping, drainage etc.)
– Waterscapes (use of rivers, lakes, lagoons, etc.)
– Water flora and fauna
– Water as a threat (tsunamis, and defence works such as dykes and dams)
– Water in Aegean art and material culture
– Water transport (boats, ships and harbours)

More information can be found on the Conference’s website, where you can also register.