Gian Michele GEROGIANNIS
Gian Michele Gerogiannis has been a Research Fellow (RTDA) in Classical Archaeology at the Department of Humanities of the University of Catania since 2023, where he teaches Archaeology of Sicilian Cities: History and Stratigraphy. His research focuses on the study of ancient cities and landscape archaeology, with particular attention to the Hellenistic period, defensive systems, territorial organization, settlement dynamics, and material culture. His work combines stratigraphic excavation, archaeological survey, and landscape analysis with digital methodologies applied to the documentation and interpretation of archaeological contexts. He currently co-directs and coordinates archaeological research projects in Sicily, Ostia Antica, Calabria, and northwestern Greece, where he conducts investigations into the landscapes and settlement systems of Epirus.
Academic Qualifications and Research Activities
Since March 2023 – Assistant Professor (RTDA) in Classical Archaeology (ARCH/01/D), Department of Humanities, University of Catania.
Since 2023 – National Scientific Qualification (Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale) for the position of Associate Professor in Archaeology (Academic Recruitment Field 10/A1), awarded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research.
2022–2023 – Research Fellow in Classical Archaeology (L-ANT/07), Department of Humanities, University of Catania. Research project: The Greek Theatre of Agrigento: From Excavation to Publication.
Since 2021 – Subject Expert (Cultore della Materia) in Classical Archaeology (L-ANT/07), Department of Humanities, University of Catania.
Since 2021 – PhD in Historical, Archaeological and Philological Studies (33rd Cycle), University of Messina (DICAR). Supervisor: Prof. Lorenzo Campagna. Dissertation title: Settlement and Territorial Defence Models in Epirus. Final assessment: Excellent.
2016 – Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeological Heritage (Classical Archaeology curriculum), School of Specialization in Archaeological Heritage, University of Basilicata (Matera). Supervisor: Prof. Massimo Osanna. Dissertation title: The Triangular Forum at Pompeii. New Research in the So-Called Heroon. Final grade: 70/70 cum laude.
2013 – M.A. in Archaeological and Historical Sciences: East and West (LM-2), Sapienza University of Rome. Supervisors: Prof. Enzo Lippolis and Prof. Luigi Maria Caliò. Thesis title: Forms and Development of a Greek Polis: The Case of Larisa in Thessaly. Final grade: 110/110 cum laude.
2011 – B.A. in Archaeological and Historical Sciences of the Classical and Oriental World, Sapienza University of Rome. Supervisor: Prof. Enzo Lippolis. Thesis title: Larisa of Thessaly: Archaeology and Topography of the Ancient City. Final grade: 110/110 cum laude.
Fellowships
2017–2020 – Doctoral Fellowship in Historical, Archaeological and Philological Studies (33rd Cycle), University of Messina.
2009 – Erasmus Scholarship (Lifelong Learning Programme) at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Participation in National and International Research Projects
Ostia Antica
Since 2022 – Co-director, together with Luigi Maria Caliò and Alessandro D'Alessio, of the research project Post Scriptum. The project, established through an agreement between the Archaeological Park of Ostia Antica and the University of Catania, involves stratigraphic investigations in two sectors of the archaeological park (Regio II and Regio IV) to clarify their nature and function.
Epirus (Greece)
Since 2023 – Co-director, together with Luigi Maria Caliò for the Department of Humanities, of the project Archaeological Research in the Upper Acheron Valley, directed by Dr. Varvara Papadopoulou. The project is based on an agreement between the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the University of Catania and aims at the multidisciplinary study of the Upper Acheron Valley in order to reconstruct settlement and territorial defence systems.
Tripi (Messina)
Since 2023 – Co-director, together with Luigi Maria Caliò, Enrico Santagati, Maria Livadiotti, Antonello Fino, Anna Maria Piccione and the Mayor Michele Lemmo, of the research project devoted to the archaeological site of Contrada Cardusa, associated with the Greco-Roman city of Abakainon.
Saturo (Taranto)
Since 2025 – Scientific coordinator, together with Luigi Maria Caliò and Valentina Parisi, for the study and publication of materials from the Sanctuary of the Spring at Saturo (Leporano, Taranto), including both historical excavations and more recent investigations directed by Prof. Enzo Lippolis.
Agrigento – Theatre Area
Since 2016 – Fieldwork and training excavation coordinator. The project focuses on the excavation of the theatre of Agrigento and the diachronic study of the city's central monumental public area. Scientific directors: Luigi Maria Caliò, Antonello Fino, Maria Stella Rizzo.
July–October 2024 – Scientific supervisor of two research fellowships entitled Digital Management of Archaeological Data: Study of Materials from the Monumental Central Area of Agrigento.
Agrigento – Hellenistic-Roman Sanctuary
2013–2016 – Coordinator of fieldwork and training excavations within a project aimed at investigating the Hellenistic-Roman sanctuary and its role within the central public area of ancient Agrigento. Scientific directors: Luigi Maria Caliò, Maria Livadiotti, Maria Concetta Parello, Maria Stella Rizzo.
Albania
Since 2021 – Member of the project Fortified Landscape in Eastern Albania, promoted by the University of Catania in collaboration with the Institute of Archaeology of Tirana, focusing on fortified sites in eastern Albania. Scientific directors: Luigi Maria Caliò and Artan Skenderaj.
Pompeii – Capitolium
2020–2022 – Coordinator of fieldwork and training excavations. The project investigates the Capitolium and related structures to reconstruct the urban development of Pompeii. Scientific directors: Luigi Maria Caliò and Massimo Osanna.
Pompeii – Triangular Forum
2016–2018 – Fieldwork and training excavation director. The project aimed to investigate the entire Triangular Forum area and reconstruct its urban development through time. Scientific directors: Massimo Osanna and Carmela Capaldi.
Gortyn (Crete) – Hellenistic Temple
Since 2018 – Head of the pottery laboratory and coordinator of the research team studying materials from excavations in the area of the Hellenistic temple near the Praetorium. Scientific director: Luigi Maria Caliò.
Castiglione di Paludi
Since 2025 – Fieldwork coordinator for a project aimed at investigating the archaeological site of Castiglione di Paludi through non-invasive and archaeological research methods and developing new strategies for heritage enhancement. Scientific director: Luigi Maria Caliò.
Editorial Activities
- Director of the Antico series (with Luigi Maria Caliò).
- Founder and Director of the SASA – Seminars in Archaeology and Architectural History series (with Antonello Fino).
- Director of the series Cronache di Archeologia. Scavi e Ricerche.
- Member of the Scientific Board of Communitas Monografie.
- Member of the Editorial Board of the Class-A journal Thiasos. Rivista di Archeologia e Architettura Antica.
- Co-director (with Luigi Maria Caliò and Massimo Frasca) of the journal Cronache di Archeologia.
- Co-director (with Luigi Maria Caliò and Massimo Frasca) of the series Cronache – Monografie.
- Member of the Editorial Board of Convegni di Archeologia Siciliana.
- Member of the Editorial Board of Studi Agrigentini.
- Member of the Editorial Board of CHANGES: Ricerche dello Spoke 6.
- Member of the Editorial Board of Communitas. Quaderni di Filologia, Storia e Archeologia.
Main Research Interests
- Ancient urban studies and landscape archaeology
- Ancient topography and settlement pattern analysis
- Fortifications and territorial organization in the Greek and Hellenistic world
- Material culture
- Stratigraphic excavation and archaeological survey
- Digital methodologies applied to archaeology and cultural heritage