Launched in March 2021, PlaCe-ITN created a pan-European research and training ecosystem dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of pre-modern plasters and ceramics in the eastern Mediterranean. Bringing together eight beneficiaries and multiple partners across five countries (Cyprus, Greece, Belgium, UK, Czech Republic), the network built a critical mass of expertise and infrastructure to deliver state-of-the-art research, advanced training, and effective knowledge transfer.
A comprehensive programme formed the backbone of PlaCe. Between 2021 and 2024, the consortium organised 22 training courses and two major scientific meetings. Training covered archaeological theory, laboratory methods (petrography, SEM-EDS, XRD/EDXRF, organic residue analysis, micro-CT), digital applications (GIS, 3D modelling, multivariate statistics), and career development. ESRs also undertook secondments, cross-supervision, and hands-on work in leading laboratories, gaining both breadth and depth while embedding themselves in international scholarly networks.
Scientifically, PlaCe advanced understanding of plaster and ceramic technology, provenance, and use from prehistoric through post-medieval contexts. ESRs investigated diverse case studies (from prehistoric to Medieval Cyprus and Greece, Bronze Age and Medieval Jordan, Hellenistic and Roman Turkey, and Late Bronze Age Egypt) producing 17 peer-reviewed publications (mostly open access) with further outputs expected as PhDs are completed.
Dissemination and outreach were central to the project. Results were shared through oral presentations, publications, and digital platforms, while nine public events in five countries engaged schoolchildren, teachers, and wider audiences. Highlights included lab open days, a field trip to the UNESCO Troodos Geopark, the “sCYence Fair 2024,” and demonstrations of traditional pottery-making, strengthening public awareness of cultural heritage.
By its conclusion, PlaCe had achieved its objectives: training a diverse cohort of ESRs, producing significant scientific contributions, and building a durable community of practice in plaster and ceramic studies. Its legacy continues through forthcoming PhDs, further publications, integration into teaching curricula, and exploring further collaborations established during the project.