# Anagnostis Agelarakis

Anagnostis P. Agelarakis (Greek: Αναγνώστης Π. Αγελαράκης; born in Kavala, Greece on 1 January 1956) is a professor of Anthropological Archaeology and Physical Anthropology at Adelphi University.
He received a B.A. from Lund University in 1977, in Classical Archaeology and European Ethnology, and conducted his post-baccalaureate studies at Lund Polytechnic Institute in 1980, in Environmental Studies. In 1988, he earned an M.Phil. in Anthropology, and in 1989, a Ph.D., in Archaeology and Physical Anthropology from Columbia University.
Dr. Agelarakis has worked at archaeological sites throughout the world, and in 2013 is engaged in field research at Eleutherna in Greece (Crete). Dr. Anagnostis P. Agelarakis has conducted extensive research into gender roles and symbolism in ancient societies, particularly through the lens of funerary practices. His work often involves analyzing burial customs to uncover insights into the social status and roles of individuals, especially women, in historical contexts.
Another notable example is his study of a 3,000-year-old female skeleton discovered in Crete. The unique burial position and physical wear patterns on the skeleton led Dr. Agelarakis and his team to investigate the individual’s occupation. Through a combination of bioarchaeological analysis and ethnographic comparisons with modern artisans, they identified the woman as a master ceramicist. This finding challenges traditional assumptions about gender-specific roles in ancient Greek society, highlighting that women could hold specialized craft positions typically attributed to men. By examining dental epigenetic traits, he uncovered a matrilineal succession, suggesting that women held significant religious authority during that period. This discovery provides valuable insights into the symbolic and actual roles of women in ancient religious hierarchies.
Through these studies, Dr. Agelarakis emphasizes the importance of integrating archaeological findings with historical and literary records to gain a comprehensive understanding of gender dynamics and symbolic representations in ancient cultures. His interdisciplinary approach sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of women and challenges preconceived notions about gender roles in antiquity.
Dr. Agelarakis’s research spans multiple regions, including southeastern and southwestern Asia, the Middle East, the American Northeast, and the Caribbean.
His work primarily explores: Bio-Archaeology and Forensics: Investigating the biological profiles, demographics, and paleopathological records of human skeletal populations from prehistoric times to the late medieval period. Ancient Warfare and Medicine: Examining skeletal evidence to understand ancient weapons, battle tactics, trauma surgery, and healing practices. Funerary Archaeology: Deciphering burial customs, gender roles, and symbolic practices through archaeological and anthropological evidence, often juxtaposed with historical and literary sources. Ethnography and Ethnohistory: Studying the cultural traditions of shepherding and mixed agricultural communities in Crete, as well as the conditions faced by Byzantine populations after the Fourth Crusade’s sack of Constantinople in 1204.
Dr. Anagnostis P. Agelarakis is the founder of the Aegean Foundation of Anthropology, a non-profit organization established in New York. The foundation is dedicated to the attentive preservation and careful cross-disciplinary study of recovered anthropological materials. Through this initiative, Dr. Agelarakis aims to protect and analyze anthropological findings, contributing to a deeper understanding of human history and cultural heritage.