Marianna FIGUERA

1) EDUCATION

• 2019 – Postgraduate Specialization School in Archaeological Heritage, Prehistoric Curriculum (Second-Level Master’s Degree), University of Catania. Thesis in Prehistory and Protohistory of the Eastern Mediterranean: “Haghia Triada. The Metal Finds from the Protopalatial and Neopalatial Periods (Excavations 1902–2012)”. Degree awarded on 27/03/2019. Final grade: 70/70 cum laude.
• 2017 – PhD in Cultural Heritage Studies (29th cycle), DISUM, University of Catania. Research project: “A Relational Model as a Tool for a Better Understanding of Cultural Heritage. The Case Study of Small Finds from Phaistos and Haghia Triada”. Degree awarded on 03/04/2017.
• 2011 – Master’s Degree (Laurea Specialistica) in Enhancement of Archaeological Heritage, Class 2/S, University of Catania. Thesis in Greek Prehistory and Protohistory: “Bronze Finds from Phaistos and Haghia Triada. Contribution to a Contextual Analysis”. Degree awarded on 14/03/2012. Final grade: 110/110 cum laude.
• 2008 – Bachelor’s Degree in Cultural Heritage Studies, Archaeological Curriculum, Class 13, University of Catania. Thesis in Aegean Archaeology: “Mycenaean Small-Scale Figurines. Contribution to a Functional Analysis”. Degree awarded on 19/11/2008. Final grade: 110/110 cum laude.

2) RESEARCH ACTIVITY

• 01/03/2023 – present – Assistant Professor (RTDa) in Prehistory and Protohistory (ARCH-01/A, formerly L-FIL-LET/01 “Aegean Civilizations”), DISUM – Department of Humanities, University of Catania. Within Mission 4 “Education and Research” – Component 2 “From Research to Enterprise” – EU-funded projects under NextGenerationEU. Project: SAMOTHRACE – SiciliAn MicronanOTecH Research And Innovation CEnter (CUP E63C22000900006).
• 2020–2032 – National Scientific Qualification (ASN) 2018/2020 – Associate Professor level (Sector 10/A1 – Archaeology).
• 03/02/2020 – 28/02/2023 – Postdoctoral Research Fellow, DISUM, University of Catania (Sector 10/A1 – Archaeology; SSD L-FIL-LET/01 “Aegean Civilizations”). Project: “Formation of the Archaeological Record and Preservation of Structures in Pre- and Protohistoric Sites at Hydrogeological and Seismic Risk: Sicilian Case Studies and Aegean Comparisons”. Fellowship renewed for the third year.
• 01/06/2018 – 01/06/2019 – Research Fellow, DISUM, University of Catania. Project: “The NEPTIS Experience and Documentation and Communication for Archaeological Heritage: The Case Studies of Calaforno, Pantalica and Phaistos”.
• 2018–2023 – Adjunct Subject Expert in Prehistory and Protohistory (L-ANT/01), DISUM, University of Catania.
• 04/04/2016 – 02/07/2016 – Research period in Athens (PhD candidate), in agreement with the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (SAIA), Greece.
• 2015–2023 – Adjunct Subject Expert in Aegean Civilizations (L-FIL-LET/01), DISUM, University of Catania.

2.1) RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Aegean Prehistory and Protohistory. Minoan Crete archaeology.
• Metallurgy in Minoan Crete (Phaistos and Haghia Triada). Study of unpublished assemblages.
• Palatial craft production and multifunctional spaces.
• Small finds and their interpretative potential.
• Sicilian prehistory and its relations with the Aegean world.
• Digital Archaeology and legacy data. Requirement analysis, UML modelling, relational databases. Data integrity, standardization, uncertainty management (Fuzzy Method). FAIR principles and data reuse.
• Digital survey, documentation, GIS.
• Interdisciplinary approaches to heritage management and conservation. Kano Model and Digital Storytelling.

2.2) PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS

• 2025 – Participation in the project “Phaistos and Haghia Triada (Crete). From Excavation to Conservation” – Pia.ce.ri Programme of the University of Catania 2020–22, dir. P. Militello.
• 2024 – Participation in the project “Haghia Triada and Phaistos: Actions for Restoration and Public Access”, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dir. P. Militello.
• 2024 – Participation in the project “Phaistos and Haghia Triada (Crete): Actions for the Conservation, Digitization and Public Access of the Finds” – Pia.ce.ri Programme of the University of Catania 2020–22, dir. P. Militello.
• 2023 – Participation in the project “Haghia Triada and Phaistos: Actions for Restoration and Public Access”, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dir. P. Militello.
• 2023 – present – Member of the Project SAMOTHRACE. “SiciliAn MicronanOTecH Research And Innovation CEnter”. Spoke 1, WP6 Cultural Heritage, Task 3. Mission 4 “Education and Research” – Component 2 “From Research to Enterprise” – Projects funded by the European Union under the NextGenerationEU initiative. CUP E63C22000900006.
• 2023–2024 – Principal Investigator of the Project “Retelling Protohistory: Field Investigations and Smart Solutions for a New Narrative of Multi-phase Key-sites”, Intervention Line 5 “Archaeological Missions” within the PIAno di inCEntivi per la Ricerca di Ateneo 2020–2022. Coordinator of research activities, field survey and excavation at Pantalica (SR).
• 2020–2022 – Member of the Project “W.A.L.(L) Wall-facing Automatic Images Identification Laboratory. A Quantitative Analysis Method for the Study of Ancient Architecture” (Joint Lab Project for the Years 2020–2021). CNR-ISPC Catania, DISUM, DMI (University of Catania), UCLouvain (AEGIS research group), Belgian School at Athens (EBSA) (Principal Investigator F. Buscemi, Partner Coordinator J. Driessen). Role: responsible for the requirements analysis process and for the development of the conceptual and logical model of the 3D database.
• 2020–2022 – Member of the research group for the digitization of the collection and the development of heritage ontologies of the Museum of Archaeology of the Department of Humanities, University of Catania. DISUM and DMI (University of Catania), CNR-ISPC Catania (scientific coordinator Prof. N. Laneri). Role: responsible for the digitization of the museum collection.
• 2020–2022 – Member of the interdepartmental project (DISUM-DMI) “Storage. From Data to the Web”, Pia.Ce.Ri Programme (University of Catania).
• 28/04/2020 – present – Appointment as Director of the activities of the DISUM research group, University of Catania, as scientific coordinator for the conduct of archaeological research in C.da Molona (Catania). Agreement between the University of Catania and the Superintendence for Cultural and Environmental Heritage of Catania.
• 2019 – present – Principal Investigator of the project “The Bronze and Metal Objects from Ayia Triada (Excavations 1902–2012). The Role Played in Metal Production and Circulation during the Protopalatial and Neopalatial Periods”. Research commissioned by the University of Catania and the Italian Archaeological School at Athens, in collaboration with the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas (IESL-FORTH), with the approval of the Ephorates of Antiquities and the Department Supervising Greek and Foreign Scientific Institutions and Coordinating Matters of International Cooperation and Organizations.
• 01/01/2019 – 2022 – Member of the Project “EWAS: An Early Warning System for Cultural Heritage” (PNR 2015–2020, CUP: E66C18000390005). University of Catania, Kore University of Enna (scientific coordinator Prof. Vincenzo Sapienza). Role: responsible for the archaeological analysis of the investigated sites.
• 01/01/2018 – 2022 – Member of the project “Mneme. Construction of the Past and Practices of Memory in the Mediterranean”. Prometeo Call, Line 3, University of Catania. Role: responsible for the processing of legacy data from the sites of Phaistos and Haghia Triada.
• 2017 – present – Research activity within the Italian Archaeological Mission at Phaistos (Crete). Study of bronze materials from Phaistos and Haghia Triada. Role: responsible for the development of the GIS platform.
• 01/01/2016 – 31/12/2016 – Member of the project “Interferences: A Dialogue between Humanities and Hard Sciences” (D.D. 2216/Ric. of 01/07/2014 – Title 3 PANN14T3_01123). DISUM (University of Catania), Officine Culturali, Liceo S. Orsola. Role: scientific coordination and editing of the publication: Figuera M. (ed.), Interferenze: Un dialogo fra scienze umane e scienze dure, Catania 2016. ISBN 979-12-200-2123-4.
• 01/02/2015 – 31/12/2018 – Member of the project “Phaistos and Haghia Triada: Small Finds and Contextual Analysis”. INSTAP (Institute for Aegean Prehistory), University of Catania (project director: Prof. P.M. Militello). Role: responsible for the creation of a database for the management of small finds.
• 01/01/2015 – 31/12/2018 – Member of the Project “NEPTIS: ICT Solutions for the ‘Augmented’ Use and Exploration of Cultural Heritage” (PON03PE_00214_3). Engineering, IBAM-CNR Catania, University of Palermo and University of Catania (DISUM, DEI, SDS Architecture) (research group coordinator UNICT: Prof. L. Trigilia). Role: responsible for documentation and communication for archaeological heritage (sites of Calaforno, Pantalica and Phaistos) and co-responsible (with F. Buscemi) for the implementation and testing activities of the digital platform.
• 01/03/2013 – 20/12/2017 – Member of the project “Calaforno: From Knowledge to Valorization”, University of Catania, Superintendence for Cultural and Environmental Heritage of Ragusa (project director: Prof. P.M. Militello). Role: responsible for the development of the GIS platform and for the scientific coordination of laser scanning activities.
• 01/04/2012 – 01/09/2015 – Member of the “Calicantone Project”, University of Catania, Superintendence for Cultural and Environmental Heritage of Ragusa (project director: Prof. P.M. Militello). Role: responsible for the development of the GIS platform.
• 01/06/2013 – 30/09/2019 – Member of the research group of the project “Phaistos. The Palace and Its Surroundings. Dynamics and Forms of Power in Minoan Phaistos”, University of Catania, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (project director: Prof. F.M. Carinci). Role: responsible for the development of the GIS platform.

2.3) SCIENTIFIC AND/OR EDITORIAL BOARDS OF JOURNALS AND BOOK SERIES

• Since 2022 – Member of the Editorial Board of the journal Cronache di Archeologia. Scavi e Ricerche (eISBN: 978-88-5491-441-4).
• Since 2019 – Member of the Editorial Board of the journal Creta Antica. Annual Journal of Archaeological, Historical and Epigraphic Studies (ISSN: 1724-3688).
• Since 2018 – Member of the Editorial Board of the journal Cronache di Archeologia (ISSN: 0011-1767) and of the book series Cronache – Monografie, Edizioni Quasar, Rome.
• Since 2018 – Member of the Scientific Committee of the journal Synergheion. International Journal of Greek Studies. Languages, Cultures, Societies (ISSN: 2612-5129).
• Since 2015 – Member of the Editorial Board of the journal Siculorum Gymnasium. A Journal for the Humanities (ISSN: 2499-667X), Review Section, field “Prehistory and Protohistory”.

2.4) REFEREE FOR SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS

• Since 2024 – Archeologia e Calcolatori, Class A journal (ISSN: 1120-6861).
• Since 2023 – Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage, Class A journal (ISSN: 1556-4673).
• Since 2021 – Journal of Archaeological Science, Class A journal (ISSN: 0305-4403).
• Since 2020 – Synergheion. International Journal of Greek Studies. Languages, Cultures, Societies (ISSN: 2612-5129).

2.5) AWARDS AND GRANTS

• 2025 – Research Incentive Award, Department of Humanities. Recipient of €1,000.00 for scientific productivity in 2025.
• 2024 – Research Incentive Award, Department of Humanities. Recipient of €1,000.00 for scientific productivity in 2024.
• 2023 – Research Incentive Award, Department of Humanities. Recipient of €500.00 for scientific productivity in 2023.
• 2020 – Mediterranean Archaeological Trust 2020, Oxford (competitive funding call). Principal Investigator of the project: “The Metal Objects from Phaistos and Ayia Triada: The Role Played in Metal Production and Circulation during the Proto-, Neo- and Late Palatial Periods”.
• 2020–2023 – Research Grant from INSTAP (Institute for Aegean Prehistory), Philadelphia (competitive funding call). Principal Investigator of the project: “The Metal Objects from Phaistos and Ayia Triada: The Role Played in Metal Production and Circulation during the Proto-, Neo- and Late Palatial Periods”.
• 2014–2015 – Doctoral Scholarship for the PhD project “A Relational Model as a Tool for a Better Understanding of Cultural Heritage. The Case Study of Small Finds from Phaistos and Haghia Triada”.
• Grant awarded under NOTICE M3/2014: Improving the integration of PhD candidates and PhD holders into the labour market within productive and/or research institutions located in Sicily. Sicilia Futuro: Intermediate Body for the management of the global grant aimed at implementing measures for the qualification of human resources in the field of research and technological innovation.

2.6) ORGANIZATION OR PARTICIPATION AS A SPEAKER AT NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES

• 2025 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: IMEKO TC26 International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (Bergamo, Italy, October 15–17, 2025). Paolino Trapani, Marianna Figuera, Simona V. Todaro, Anna M. Gueli, Filippo Stanco, Preliminary Results of the Integrated 3D Digitization of the Prehistoric Artifacts Exhibited at the Museum of Archaeology of the University of Catania.
• 2024 – Participation in the “IX Research Colloquium of the Department of Humanities: DISUM Research between PNRR and PRIN” (University of Catania, October 23, 2024).
• 2024 – Poster presentation at Piaceri Day 2024, Focus on the University Research Incentive Plan, University of Catania (Catania, July 10, 2024). Pietro Militello, Marianna Figuera, Dario Puglisi, Methodologies for the Conservation, Diagnostics and Public Access of Archaeological Sites.
• 2024 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: “GIS in Crete: Archaeological Questions and Computational Answers”, National Hellenic Research Foundation (Athens, May 30–31, 2024). Francesca Buscemi, Marianna Figuera, Managing Complexity in Long-Term Excavations: The GIS of Phaistos.
• 2024 – Poster presentation at the international conference: “AIUCD2024: MeTe Digitali. Mediterranean Network between Texts and Contexts” (Catania, May 28–30, 2024). M. Figuera, E. Platania, Computerized Management of “Minor” Archaeological Documentation. Methodologies and Applications within the Storage Project.
• 2023 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: “The Island of Treasures. Archaeological Research and New Acquisitions” (Agrigento, December 14–17, 2023). Pietro Militello, Rosa Lanteri, Ermelinda Storaci, Marianna Figuera, Pantalica. New Data from the Revision of Materials from Old Excavations.
• 2023 – Participation as a speaker at the event “Pillar Cultural Heritage Workshop «State of Art after the First Year», SAMOTHRACE Project ECS00000022” (online meeting, September 27, 2023). M. Figuera, TASK 3 «Space and Fruition». Task Leader: Filippo Stanco; Team: Giovanni Gallo, Eleonora Pappalardo, Dario Allegra, Marianna Figuera, Davide Scalisi, Myriam Vaccaro.
• 2023 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: Image Analysis and Processing – ICIAP 2023 Workshops, Udine, Italy, September 11–15, 2023. Giovanni Gallo et al., Feature Relevance in Classification of 3D Stone from Ancient Wall Structures.
• 2023 – Poster presentation at the international conference: Graphics and Cultural Heritage, 21st Eurographics Workshop, September 4–6, 2023, Salento, Italy. F. Buscemi et al., Project “Wall Facing Automatic Image Identification Laboratory” – W.A.L.(L).
• 2022 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: 2022 IMEKO TC-4 International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, University of Calabria, October 19–21, 2022, Rende (Cosenza), Italy. V. Pennisi et al., Hydraulic Preservation of Archaeological Hypogeum Based on Digital Survey Techniques.
• 2022 – Poster presentation at the international conference: 13th International Congress of Cretan Studies, October 5–9, 2022, Agios Nikolaos, Crete. M. Figuera, Metallurgical Activity in Agia Triada: The Ambiguous Evidence.
• 2022 – Participation as a speaker at the same congress. F. Buscemi et al., Machine Learning and Architecture. Change and Continuity in Architectural Tradition between the 11th and 8th Century BC: the W.A.L.(L) Project.
• 2022 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: ArcheoFOSS XVI 2022, International Conference on Open Software, Hardware, Processes, Data and Formats in Archaeological Research, September 22–23, 2022, Rome. F. Buscemi et al., An Open Source and Collaborative Framework for Sharing Structured Archaeological 3D Data.
• 2022 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: 9th International Workshop 3D-ARCH 2022, “3D Virtual Reconstruction and Visualization of Complex Architectures”, March 2–4, 2022, Mantua, Italy. G. D’Agostino et al., Integrated 3D Survey for the Documentation and Visualization of a Rock-Cut Underground Built Heritage.
• 2021 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: CIPA 2021, 28th International Symposium “Great Learning & Digital Emotion”, August 28 – September 1, 2021, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. G. D’Agostino et al., Hydraulic Risk Assessment in Archaeological Sites Supported by an Integrated Digital Survey – CFD Monitoring Approach.
• 2021 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: 11th Annual International Conference on Architecture, The Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER), July 5–8, 2021, Athens, Greece. G. Rodonò et al., Strategic Landscape Design and Innovative Building Technologies for the Revitalisation Project of the Ancient Greek Colony of Megara Hyblaea in Sicily.
• 2021 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: Sympozjum Egejskie, 8th Conference in Aegean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, Poland, June 23–25, 2021. M. Figuera, Repair, Reuse, Recycling: A Stake from Ayia Triada (Crete).
• 2021 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: ARQUEOLÓGICA 2.0 – 9th International Congress & 3rd GEORES, April 26–28, 2021, online. G. D’Agostino et al., Digital Survey and Reception Structures for a Virtual Fruition: The Case Study of the Hypogeum of Calaforno (Ragusa).
• 2021 – Poster presentation at the international conference: PatReCH2020, Pattern Recognition for Cultural Heritage, January 11, 2021, Milan. G. Gallo et al., Abstracting Stone Walls for Visualization and Analysis.
• 2020 – Participation as an invited speaker at the seminar activity: Behind the Scenes: Digital Archaeological Data. Tools and Practices in Action, Venice Centre for Digital and Public Humanities (VeDPH), Centro Studi Archeologia di Venezia (CESAV), November 10, 2020, Venice. M. Figuera, Legacy Data and Interpretation: A Possible Management of the Reliability of Archaeological Data.
• 2020 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: ArcheoFOSS International Conference 2020, Open software, hardware, processes, data and formats in archaeological research, October 15–17, 2019, Rome. N. Laneri, R. Brancato, S. Cristofaro, M. Figuera, M. Nicolosi Asmundo, D. Francesco Santamaria, D. Spampinato, Towards an Ontology of the Museum of Archaeology of the University of Catania: From the Legacy Data Digitization to the Semantic Web.
• 2020 – Member of the organizing committee of the international conference: Schemata, The City Beyond Form. Towards a New Definition of Urban Landscapes and Their Functions: Urbanization and Society in the Pre-Classical Mediterranean, February 26–28, 2020, Syracuse, Italy. University of Catania, Specialization School in Archaeological Heritage of the University of Catania, University of Campania.
• 2020 – Poster presentation at the international conference: Schemata, The City Beyond Form. Towards a New Definition of Urban Landscapes and Their Functions: Urbanization and Society in the Pre-Classical Mediterranean, February 26–28, 2020, Syracuse, Italy. M. Figuera, Haghia Triada in the Palatial Period: Settlement and Production.
• 2019 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: Interdisciplinary Studies on Cultural Landscape of South-Eastern Sicily, December 13, 2019, Warsaw. P. Militello, F. Buscemi, M. Figuera, Archaeological Landscapes in South Eastern Sicily: The Case Studies of San Lorenzo and Calicantone.
• 2019 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: 5th Meeting for The Archaeological Work in Crete, November 21–24, 2019, Rethymno, Crete. F. Buscemi, D. Aiello, G. D’Agostino, M. Figuera, Making the Most of the Old Digital Data: From 3D Survey to Serious Game at Phaistos.
• 2019 – Participation as a speaker at the national conference: Paths of Hyblean Archaeology. Conference “Technology Applied to Archaeology: The Hut of Calicantone and the Hypogeum of Calaforno”, April 12, 2019, Modica, Italy. M. Figuera, Technology Applied to Archaeology: Calaforno.
• 2018 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: OIKOS. Archaeological Approaches to House Societies in the Ancient Aegean, December 7–8, 2018, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. P. Militello, O. Palio, M. Figuera, Embedded Production: Elite Houses, Central Buildings, and Ideological Co-operation.
• 2018 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: Unlocking Sacred Landscapes II, Digital Humanities and Ritual Space, October 19–21, 2018, Rethymno, Crete. F. Buscemi, M. Figuera, A.M. Sammito, Ritual Space in an Early Bronze Age Sicilian Village: Calicantone.
• 2018 – Organization and scientific secretariat activity of the international workshop: Archaeological Landscape and Minor Cultural Heritage: Reconstructing the Past as a Living Entity, October 9–11, 2018, Catania–Scicli, Italy. University of Catania, Universität Heidelberg, Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service).
• 2018 – Participation as a speaker at the international workshop: Archaeological Landscape and Minor Cultural Heritage: Reconstructing the Past as a Living Entity, October 9–11, 2018, Catania–Scicli, Italy. N. Di Carlo, M. Di Vincenzo, M. Figuera, Landscape and Architecture. From Survey to Virtual Reconstruction.
• 2018 – Participation as an invited speaker at the international conference: CIDOC - ICOM 2018, Special Session “Heritage Data-Centric Research: Are FAIR Data Fair Enough?”, October 4, 2018, Heraklion, Crete. M. Figuera, A Fuzzy Approach to Evaluate the Attributions’ Reliability in the Archaeological Sources.
• 2018 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: CIDOC - ICOM 2018, Generating and Tracing the ‘Provenance of Knowledge’, September 29–October 4, 2018, Heraklion, Crete. M. Figuera, Standardization and Fuzzy Method as Preservation of Referred Sources: The Case of Small Finds from Phaistos and Ayia Triada (Crete).
• 2018 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: 3rd CAA GR, Spreading Excellence in Computer Applications for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, June 19–20, 2018, Limassol, Cyprus. M. Figuera, Reconstructing Context and Meaning: A Relational Database for Small Finds.
• 2018 – Participation as a speaker at the national meeting: NEPTIS Project. New Models of Use and Valorization in an Area of European Excellence: The Baroque and Underwater Circuit of the Ancient Val di Noto. Presentation and conclusion of the project by the University of Catania, November 22, 2018, Catania, Italy. F. Buscemi, M. Figuera, The Activities of the Archaeology Group of the Department of Humanities.
• 2017 – Participation as a speaker at the national conference: 3D User Conference Leica Geosystems, November 21–22, 2017, Rome. M. Figuera, S. Garro, Laser Scanner and Non-Structural Architecture. The Case of the Hypogeum of Calaforno, Giarratana (Ragusa).
• 2016 – Participation as a speaker at the international conference: The Archaeology of Death, Seventh Conference of Italian Archaeology, April 16–18, 2016, Galway, Ireland. P. Militello et al., Calicantone: A Funerary Landscape in Sicily.
• 2015 – Organization of the international inter-university cooperation meeting: organizers M. Figuera (University of Catania), K. Zebrowska (University of Warsaw), September 3, 2015, Warsaw, Poland, The Scientific Activity of the International Course in Archaeology. Publication: Figuera M., Zebrowska K. (eds.), International Course in Archaeology Papers in Mediterranean Archaeology, Syndesmoi 5. Catania–Warsaw 2016. ISBN 979-12-200-0473-2.
• 2014 – Poster presentation at the international conference: 2nd Students’ Conference in Aegean Archaeology, April 25, 2014, Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw, Poland. M. Figuera, A Relational Database to Increase the Informative Potential of the Archaeological Data.
• 2014 – Poster presentation at the national conference: “Giarratana and Its Territory. Stories from the Past”, December 18, 2014, Giarratana, Italy. M. Figuera, M. Gianchino, K. Zebrowska, The Prehistoric Hypogeum of Calaforno. Previous Research.
• 2013 – Poster presentation at the international study days: “Landscape between Archaeology and Architecture”, December 5–7, 2013, Catania–Acate–Donnafugata–Ragusa, Italy. M. Figuera, M. Gianchino, Calicantone: The Necropolis.

2.7) MEMBER OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MISSIONS

• 2011 – present – Member of the research group of the University of Catania and Ca’Foscari University of Venice for research and excavation at Phaistos and Hagia Triada (Crete). Role responsible for the creation of the GIS platform and the study of metal finds.
• 2017 – Member of the research group of the University of Catania, for research and excavation at Pantalica, Syracuse (Italy). Role responsible for the creation of digital documentation.
• 2017 – Member of the research group of the Superintendence BBCCAA of Catania, for research and excavation at Via Santa Barbara, Catania (Italy). Role responsible for the creation of the GIS platform.
• 2013 – 2017 – Member of the research group of the University of Catania, for research and excavation at Calaforno, Ragusa (Italy). Role responsible for the creation of the GIS platform, digital documentation and survey, laser scanning.
• 2012 – 2015 – Member of the research group of the University of Catania and the Superintendence BBCCAA of Ragusa for research and excavation at Calicantone, Ragusa (Italy). Role responsible for a sector of excavation and the creation of the GIS platform.

2.8) AFFILIATION TO PRESTIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS

• Since 2020 – Affiliation with the Center for Cretan Archaeology (founded in Catania in 1998). Secretary of the Center since 2024.
• Since 2019 – Affiliation with the Society for the History of Eastern Sicily (founded in Catania in 1903). Member of the Board of Arbitrators.

3) TEACHING ACTIVITIES

3.1) FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL COURSES

• Academic year 2025/2026 – Lecturer of the Master’s Degree in Archaeology, DISUM, Teaching “Archaeology of Prehistoric Italy” for SSD sector: ARCH-01/A - (formerly L-FIL-LET/01)
• Academic year 2025/2026 – Lecturer of the Master’s Degree in Archaeology, DISUM, Teaching “Prehistory of the Mediterranean: technologies for the documentation of contexts” for SSD sector: ARCH-01/A - (formerly L-FIL-LET/01)
• Academic year 2024/2025 – Lecturer of the Master’s Degree in Archaeology, DISUM, Teaching “Archaeology of Prehistoric Italy” for SSD sector CIVILTA' EGEE [L-FIL-LET/01]
• Academic year 2024/2025 – Lecturer of the Master’s Degree in Archaeology, DISUM, Teaching “Prehistory of the Mediterranean: technologies for the documentation of contexts” for SSD sector CIVILTA' EGEE [L-FIL-LET/01]
• Academic year 2023/2024 – Lecturer of the Master’s Degree in Archaeology, DISUM, Teaching “Prehistory of the Mediterranean: technologies for the documentation of contexts” for SSD sector CIVILTA' EGEE [L-FIL-LET/01]

3.2) SEMINAR ACTIVITIES IN THIRD LEVEL COURSES, DOCTORATES, SPECIALIZATION SCHOOLS

• 09/01/2024 – Seminar lecture (2 h): “Legacy Data and interpretation. Management of the reliability of archaeological data” Lecturer: M. Figuera. PhD in Sciences for Heritage and Cultural Production, 39th cycle, DISUM, University of Catania.
• 28/02/2023 – Seminar lecture (4 h): “Metallurgy in Bronze Age Crete. Materials, Productive Activities, Case Studies.” Lecturer: M. Figuera. School of Specialization in Archaeological Heritage, University of Catania.
• 21/03/2022 – 20/04/2022 – Educational seminar (20 h) “Digital Archaeology: building a DB for prehistoric materials.” Lecturer: M. Figuera. School of Specialization in Archaeological Heritage, University of Catania.
• 03/05/2021 – 15/06/2021 – Educational seminar (20 h) “Digital Archeo Humanities.” Lecturers: M. Figuera, D. Allegra. School of Specialization in Archaeological Heritage, University of Catania.
• 10/11/2020 – Invited seminar activity (1 h): “Legacy data and interpretation: a possible management of the reliability of archaeological data.” PhD in Sciences of Antiquity, Department of Humanities, Ca’Foscari University of Venice. Participation by invitation in the seminar Behind the scenes: digital archaeological data. Tools and practices in action, Venice Centre for Digital and Public Humanities (VeDPH), CESAV.
• 07/2020 – 09/2020 – Educational internship (40 h) “Digital Archeo Humanities: practical applications of data management,” School of Specialization in Archaeological Heritage, University of Catania. Lecturer: M. Figuera. DISUM, University of Catania.
• 22/06/2020 – 06/07/2020 – Educational seminar (20 h) “Digital Archeo Humanities.” Lecturers: R. Brancato; M. Figuera; D. Allegra; G. Fragalà. School of Specialization in Archaeological Heritage and DISUM, University of Catania.
• 06/05/2020 – Seminar lecture (2 h): “A database for the management of artifacts and archaeological sources: requirements analysis, standardization and Fuzzy method.” PhD in Sciences for Heritage and Cultural Production, DISUM, University of Catania.
• 14/05/2019 – Seminar lecture (3 h): “A database for the management of artifacts and archaeological sources: requirements analysis, standardization and Fuzzy method.” PhD in Sciences for Heritage and Cultural Production, DISUM, University of Catania.

3.3) SEMINAR ACTIVITIES IN FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL COURSES

• 27/11/2024 – Seminar lecture (2 h): “Kano Model and analysis of valorization strategies in a Sicilian historical-architectural context. The case study of the Norman Castle of Aci Castello.” Lecturer: M. Figuera. Master’s Degree in Cultural and Natural Sustainable Tourism Planning, DISFOR, University of Catania.
• 30/03/2021 – 11/05/2021 – Educational laboratory (13 h) “Data management: the database.” Lecturer: M. Figuera. Module of practical activities within the teaching of Digital Archaeology (Lecturer: P.M. Militello), Bachelor’s Degree in Cultural Heritage (a.y. 2020/21), DISUM, University of Catania.
• 22/02/2021 – 19/04/2021 – Educational seminar (18 h) “Tools for modeling, representation, and querying of digital ontologies for cultural heritage.” Lecturers: R. Brancato; M. Figuera; D.F. Santamaria. DISUM, University of Catania.
• 27/04/2020 – 11/05/2020 – Educational seminar (18 h) “Archaeology and data management.” Lecturer: M. Figuera. DISUM, University of Catania.
• 2013 – 2022 – Conducting seminar lessons and practical exercises in the courses of Aegean Archaeology, Prehistory and Protohistory, Digital Archaeology in Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree courses, DISUM, University of Catania.

3.4) EDUCATIONAL INTERNSHIPS

• Academic year 2023/2024 – Educational internship carried out during the survey campaign at the Pantalica (SR) site, from 06 November 2023 to 18 November 2023, within the project “Retelling protohistory: field investigations and smart solutions for a new narrative of multi-phase key-sites”, Intervention Line 5 “Archaeological Missions”, University Research Incentive Plan 2020-2022, Department of Humanities, University of Catania.

3.5) TUTORING ACTIVITIES

• 04/03/2024 – 30/06/2024 – Tutor for the training internship carried out by Maria Kaimakami, University of Athens (Greece), conducted in agreement with CEARC – Center for Cretan Archaeology, University of Catania.

3.6) ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES IN THE PREPARATION OF THESES

Thesis Supervisor

• 30/04/2024 Giuseppe Francesco Mannino, Computer management of archaeological data and standardization. Pyarchinit and the excavation of Phaistos (Crete). a.y. 2022-2023, DISUM, Master’s Degree in Archaeology, University of Catania.

Co-Supervisor – Specialization Theses

• 28/01/2026 Maria Chiara Patanè, Pantalica and the excavation of Pantalica in the Paolo Orsi notebooks. a.y. 2024-2025, Specialization Diploma, School of Specialization in Archaeological Heritage, University of Catania. Supervisor: Prof. P.M. Militello.
• 27/01/2025 Sandra Battiato, Pantalica: the grinding stones from the 2023 survey. a.y. 2023-2024, Specialization Diploma, School of Specialization in Archaeological Heritage, University of Catania. Supervisor: Prof. P.M. Militello.
• 01/02/2024 Eleonora Lena, Pantalica: The Bernabò Brea excavations in light of the materials from the Paolo Orsi Regional Archaeological Museum. a.y. 2022-2023, Specialization Diploma, School of Specialization in Archaeological Heritage, University of Catania. Supervisor: Prof. P.M. Militello.

Co-Supervisor – Bachelor Theses

• 28/04/2025 Maria Quattrocchi, The paintings of Pylos: from the archaeological context to the cultural one. a.y. 2023-2024, DISUM, Master’s Degree in Archaeology, University of Catania. Supervisor: Prof. P.M. Militello.
• 28/04/2025 Manuela Sanfilippo, The sacred feminine. Three cases compared: Hecate, Artemis, and Demeter. a.y. 2023-2024, DISUM, Master’s Degree in Art History and Cultural Heritage, University of Catania. Supervisor: Prof.ssa Elvia Maria Letizia Giudice.
• 30/04/2024 Irene Sorbello, War behaviors in Archaic Sicily. a.y. 2022-2023, DISUM, Master’s Degree in Archaeology, University of Catania. Supervisor: Prof. L.M. Caliò.
• 30/04/2024 Concetta Alessia Bertino, Archaeology between science and politics: Italians in Crete and the excavations of Luigi Pernier. a.y. 2022-2023, DISUM, Master’s Degree in Archaeology, University of Catania. Supervisor: Prof. P.M. Militello.
• 20/01/2021 Fabio Agatino Reale, Passages. From the landscape of contrasts to the landscape of the Invisible Cities of the Gulf of Augusta. a.y. 2019-2020, Master’s Degree in Building Engineering – Architecture, DICAR Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania. Supervisor: Prof.ssa Eng. Simona Calvagna.
• 20/01/2021 Andrea Tornabene, Passages. From the landscape of contrasts to the landscape of the Invisible Cities of the Gulf of Augusta. a.y. 2019-2020, Master’s Degree in Building Engineering – Architecture, DICAR Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania. Supervisor: Prof.ssa Eng. Simona Calvagna.

4) ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

4.1) INSTITUTIONAL ASSIGNMENTS

• Academic year 2024-2025 – Member of the Examination Board for admission to the Master’s Degree in Archaeology (Class LM2), Department of Humanities, University of Catania.
• Academic year 2025-26 – present – Member of the Council of the School of Specialization in Archaeological Heritage, University of Catania.

4.2) ACADEMIC COMPETITION COMMISSIONER

Research Grant Commissions

• December 2024 – Research grant for SSD L-FIL-LET/01 “Aegean Civilization” entitled: “Research on methodological and procedural standards for the documentation and monitoring of stratified architectural contexts: the case of the Phaistos site,” research program/project: “Spoke 6 - History, Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage” – (D.R. no. 4710 of 06/11/2024).
• December 2024 – Research grant for SSD L-FIL-LET/01 “Aegean Civilization” entitled: “Research on methodological and procedural standards for the documentation and monitoring of stratified archaeological contexts: the case of the Second Palace of Phaistos (Crete),” research program/project: “Spoke 6 - History, Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage” – (D.R. no. 4711 of 06/11/2024)
• March 2023 – Research grant for SSD L-FIL-LET/01 “Aegean Civilization” entitled: “Research on methodological and procedural standards for the documentation and monitoring of prehistoric architectural contexts in Sicilian and Cretan areas,” research program/project: National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Mission 4 “Education and Research” – Component 2 “From Research to Business” – Investment 1.3, Extended Partnership “CHANGES” - Spoke 6 History, Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage.

Research Scholarship Commissions

• July 2025 – Research scholarship entitled: “Calicantone: cataloging and classification of ceramic and lithic materials,” Scientific Supervisor Prof. Pietro M. Militello
• July 2024 – Research scholarship entitled: “Stratified landscapes, unconfined materials and digitization: the case of Phaistos,” Scientific Supervisor Prof. Pietro M. Militello
• July 2024 – Research scholarship entitled: “Stratified landscapes: evidence of rock-cut architecture,” Scientific Supervisor Prof. Pietro M. Militello

4.3) THIRD MISSION

Research dissemination activities

• 2025 – 3-4/07/2025. Participation in the event “SAMOTHRACE July 2025: Activities Review and Cascade calls Demo showcase,” University of Messina, Messina.
• 2025 – 10/03/2025. Participation in the event “2nd year Experimental Prototypes Demo Showcase,” Le Ciminiere Center, Catania.
• 2024 – 15-16/03/2024. Participation in the 10th edition of the exhibition “Art and Science,” AIAr – Italian Association of Archaeometry, Norman Castle of Aci Castello. Creation of exhibition panels for the Civic Museum of Aci Castello (activity carried out with Myriam Vaccaro and Eleonora Pappalardo, Task 3).
• 2024 – 26-27/01/2024. Participation in the event “Samothrace Year One & More: a “DHSN” Event. Activities and demos toward innovation one year after kick-off,” University Citadel, Catania.
• 2023 – 25/10/2023. Participation in the Workshop “Fondazione Samothrace,” Research Grant 2023, XIV forum, Monastery of the Benedictines, Catania.
• 2023 – 22/05/2023 - 30/06/2023. Collaboration in the design and realization of the exhibition “In Daedalus’ Island. 25 years of activity of the Center for Cretan Archaeology,” University of Catania, Palazzo Centrale, Piazza Università 2, Catania.

Relations with Superintendences, Companies, and Cooperatives

• 2025 – Collaboration with the Cooperative “Passi in Segni” for the realization of videos in LIS (Italian Sign Language) and IS (International Signs) to be integrated into the Virtual Tours of the Castle of Aci Castello and the Archaeology Museum of the University of Catania, within the SAMOTHRACE Project.
• 2023-2024 – Collaboration with the companies Meridionale Impianti and Xenia for inter-spoke activities within the SAMOTHRACE Project (with SPOKE 1 “Innovation through microelectronics, microsystems and materials” and SPOKE 7 “Industrial & ICT Innovation”).
• 2023-2024 – Collaboration with the Archaeological and Landscape Park of Syracuse, Eloro, Villa del Tellaro and Akrai within the research project at Pantalica initiated thanks to the agreement for activities aimed at "Study and enhancement of the state-owned archaeological site of Pantalica" established between the Park and the University of Catania, Department of Humanities.

5) OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• 28/01/2022 – 30/06/2022 – One-year substitute of Art History, at the Comprehensive Institute “Pietro Carrera” of Militello in Val di Catania CTSD05000A, on unpaid leave for research reasons.
• 08/2019 – 12/2019 – Service of preliminary verification of archaeological interest – ViArch, on behalf of: Sole Extraordinary Commissioner for the coordination and execution of sewerage and wastewater treatment works, Prof. Enrico Rolle, for the intervention called “Strengthening and upgrading of the Patti treatment plant.” Municipality of Patti (Messina).
• 11/2017 – 03/2018 – Archaeologist. Tethys s.r.l., Rome (Italy). Scientific assistance for the realization of archaeological surveys in the works of “Italferr, Italian State Railways Group S.p.A.” for the Catania-Messina railway connection.
• 05/2015 – 07/2015 – Intern. Unico s.r.l., Information Technology Company, Catania (Italy). Internship focused on the use of IT tools to support the analysis of archaeological data, for the PhD project.
• 04/2015 – 07/2015 – Archaeologist. Land s.r.l., Rome (Italy). Scientific assistance for archaeological surveys in the works of “Italferr, Italian State Railways Group S.p.A.” for the Palermo-Catania railway connection.
• 05/2011 – 05/2012 – Teaching tutor: orientation activities for students. University of Catania.

5.1) OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• 05/01/2021 – present – Registration in the national list of Archaeologists (Class I) no. 5389. Professional qualified to carry out interventions on cultural heritage pursuant to article 9bis of the Cultural Heritage and Landscape Code (Legislative Decree 42/2004) and in possession of the titles required for preliminary verification of archaeological interest ex Legislative Decree 50/2016 art. 25.
• 06/02/2019 – 31/12/2020 – Registration in the MIBACT list of operators qualified to draft the archaeological assessment document in the preliminary design of public works. Qualified operator no. 3989.
• 2020 – present – Class II – Inclusion in the rankings of secondary schools in the province of Catania, teaching Art History (class A054).
• 2017 – 2020 – Class III – Inclusion in the rankings (triennium 2017-2020) of secondary schools in the province of Catania, teaching Art History (class A054).

6) TRAINING ACTIVITIES

Courses, summer schools, webinars, placement activities, etc.

• 5-9/10/2025 – CHaRMED – Cultural Heritage and Environment: Resources, Materials and Devices, Summer School (25 h) at the Regional Archaeological Museum of Lilibeo, Marsala, organized by the Samothrace Foundation.
• 23-24/06/2025 – Placement activities organized by the Samothrace Foundation: “Entrepreneurship School” (9 h), Emblema Foundation, Catania.
• 11-12/06/2025 – Placement activities organized by the Samothrace Foundation: “Coaching days” (11 h), Emblema Foundation, Catania.
• 20/11/2023 – IP Strategy Webinar, Spoke 1 – WP 6 (Cultural Heritage) (2 h). Open Innovation Process, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property. SAMOTHRACE Foundation, Catania.
• 6-8/11/2019 – Advanced Open Source GIS Course (18 h). Terre Logiche, Rome. Course “Advanced Open Source GIS (QGIS): Geographic Analysis, Database, Raster and Vector Geoprocessing, Digital Terrain Models.”
• 07-09/2018 – PeF 24. University of Catania. Acquisition of 24 CFU for teaching through the training paths activated by the University of Catania.
• 02/2014 – 03/2014 – European Computer Driving License GIS Course (36 h). ECDL GIS Test Center, Catania. Course for obtaining GIS – Geographic Information Systems certification, Specialized Level.
• 01/2014 – 3D data acquisition techniques, Photomodelling and Laser Scanning Course. University of Catania.
• 03/2013 – 09/2013 – Internship at the Archaeological Park of Syracuse. Archaeological Park of Syracuse (Italy). Research activity on pre-Greek evidences in the “Neapolis” area.
• 27/05/2013 – 01/06/2013 – International Summer School Greek Coroplastic Studies – Methodologies for study of productions, contexts and images. IBAM-CNR Catania.
• 04/2013 – Basic GIS Course. School of Specialization in Archaeology, University of Catania (Italy).
• 22/03/2010 – 30/10/2010 – Intensive Course in International Interuniversity Cooperation Project Cooperlink. University of Catania, Uniwersytet Warszawski (University of Warsaw) (Italy and Poland).
• 05/2009 – Digital Aerial Photogrammetry Course. University of Catania (Italy).
• 25/01/2006 – 05/04/2006 – School-Museum Project: “From the Cave to the Village: from the Paleolithic to the Iron Age.” Regional Archaeological Museum “Paolo Orsi,” Syracuse (Italy).
• 04/12/2004 – 08/12/2004 – IX International Architecture Course “Acireale and the unity of the arts in the Baroque city.” International Center for Baroque Studies CISB, Syracuse.

Archaeological excavations, survey activities, reconnaissances, etc.

• 24/07/2010 – 03/08/2010 – Archaeological excavation: Hagia Triada (Crete, Greece). University of Catania. Activities: reconnaissance, stratigraphic excavation, survey, and digital documentation.
• 15/07/2010 – 23/07/2010 – Archaeological excavation: Eleutherna (Crete, Greece). University of Crete. Activities: stratigraphic excavation, artifact cataloging, excavation documentation.
• 17/08/2009 – 29/08/2009 – Archaeological reconnaissance: Therasia (Greece). University of Rethymno (Crete, Greece). Activities: survey, artifact cataloging.
• 29/06/2009 – 03/07/2009 – Archaeological excavation: so-called Roman Gymnasium of Syracuse (Italy). University of Catania (Italy). Activities: stratigraphic excavation.
• 11/2008 – 06/2009 – Cataloging of photographic plates (S.A.FI.ST. Department). S.A.FI.ST. Department, University of Catania (Italy). Activities: cataloging the photographic plate collection of the Archaeology Department.
• 05/12/2007 – 14/12/2007 – Archaeological excavation: Capo Soprano Walls (Gela, Italy). Superintendence BB.CC.AA. of Caltanissetta (Italy). Activities: stratigraphic excavation, artifact cataloging.
• 29/07/2007 – 12/08/2007 – Archaeological excavation: Zagaglie (Isca sullo Ionio, Italy). “Paolo Orsi” Archaeological Group, Catanzaro (Italy). Activities: stratigraphic excavation.
• 19/09/2006 – 04/10/2006 – Archaeological excavation: Church of San Giusto (Suvereto, Italy). University of L’Aquila (Italy). Activities: stratigraphic excavation, survey, artifact cataloging.
• 17/08/2006 – 08/09/2006 – Archaeological excavation: Nea Paphos (Cyprus, Greece). University of Catania (Italy). Activities: stratigraphic excavation, artifact cataloging.
• 17/08/2005 – 04/09/2005 – Archaeological excavation: Nea Paphos (Cyprus, Greece). University of Catania (Italy). Activities: stratigraphic excavation, artifact cataloging.
• 24/07/2005 – 13/08/2005 – Archaeological excavation: Rocca di Brunelleschi (Vicopisano, Italy). University of L’Aquila (Italy). Activities: stratigraphic excavation, survey, artifact cataloging.

Exhibition organization

• 24 April – 4 May 2014 – Exhibition “Artistic Visions,” Tourist-Cultural Association “Visitaci,” Acireale.
• March 2010 – Exhibition “Aerial photographs of Polish monuments” (Uniwersytet Warszawski). Monastery of the Benedictines, University of Catania.
• November 2010 – Exhibition “Chopin and the University of Warsaw.” Monastery of the Benedictines, University of Catania.
• November 2009 – Exhibition “Graphic documentation of ancient monuments in the nineteenth century. Between techniques and ideology.” Monastery of the Benedictines, University of Catania.

Last edit: 02/25/2026