Paper short abstract:

This paper explores how unofficial encounters with the material past in western Greece instil alternative meanings upon ancient remains.

Paper long abstract:

In western Greece the production of the past lies almost exclusively in the hands of official archaeologists appointed by the state. The space for non-professional encounters with and perceptions of the material past is set in a realm of unofficial and illegal acts, categorised as 'looting'. But do all such acts actually amount to archaeological destruction and money-making? The answer is no. There are individuals who, despite all dangers, pursue their urge to hunt, discover and intimately interact with the material past, and create a form of personal archaeological experience and knowledge. This paper examines such everyday connections between locals and material remains of the past and considers the intimate meanings that they produce. Ultimately, this paper explores how these people challenge official archaeological authority, produce a past that bears a personal significance, and - most importantly - is interacted with and interpreted in a variety of modes.