About THETIS

THETIS AUTHENTICS Ltd was formed in 1999 and originates from THETIS -Science and Techniques for Art-History-Conservation Ltd (1994-2000). The company offers products and services based on the application of scientific methods and techniques to cultural heritage.

Our services include expert opinion and consultancy with respect to authenticity tests, provenance and technology studies and the investigation of manufacturing processes through laboratory experiments. The laboratory and reproduction experiments are often performed in order to explore the functional use of archaeological objects (experimental archaeology). THETIS recently entered the field of conservation of ceramics as there is an increasing demand, especially from the Archaeological Service Departments, to combine the provenience and technological studies with conservation and replication. The company's policy is to deal with each project in an individual way by mobilising the most suitable team of experts from the fields of Physical and Natural Sciences, Information Technology, Archaeology and Art History using its own facilities or in collaboration with Greek and Foreign Institutions.

Thetis is also active in the field of research focusing on the use and development of non-destructive analytical techniques for the analysis of Museum artefacts. Our company has initiated, co-ordinates and participates in research programmes which are funded by EU, non-profit organisations or partly by the GSRT/ Ministry of Development.

Our products and services make use of both the modern technologies and the very traditional techniques:
archiving and handling of data in archaeology and history of art by using web technologies, i.e. a webcentric data-base (1997) for the presentation of multidimensional information on a single screen including photos, videos, texts, dynamically generated XRF-spectra which was pioneering at the time.
The web site www.archaeometry.gr, also created in 1997, hosts the activities of the Hellenic Society of Archaeometry, the Conservation Laboratory of the Benaki Museum and other small non-profit societies dealing with the preservation of cultural heritage. In the course of the present bilateral Greek-Cypriot collaboration network we have started presenting the results of individual research projects, which has been enthusiastically received by the research groups involved, especially by the younger scientists.
An obvious application of the knowledge produced from the study and understanding of ancient technologies is the modern reproduction of ancient artefacts by following the original, ancient manufacturing processes. THETIS, at the moment, is the only company in the Museum market that offers ceramic copies, which do not simply imitate the style of the originals with the use of acrylic paints. The second component 'authentics' in the company's name refers to the 'Technologically authentic reproduction of ancient manufacturing techniques and artefacts'. The THETIS reproductions use clay based slips which are then fired to produce the original color. The ceramic products span the period from Late Neolithic to Hellenistic times, including the technologically advanced classical Athenian pottery, the so-called red and black figured vases.

Our products and services are addressed to the Greek and International markets and concern Public and Private Museums, the Greek Archaeological Service, Archaeological Schools, Private Collectors, Antique and Art Dealers, Conservators, Artisans, and Educational Institutions. In the course of various application programmes we have collaborated with The Museum of Cycladic Art, the Benaki Museum, The Metropolitan Museum NY, The Archaeological Museum of Nicosia, The Louvre Museum, the 1st & 11th Ephorates of Antiquities, The Wiener Laboratory of the American School for Classical Studies in Athens, the Society of Messenian Archaeological Studies, the University of the Aegean and ATTIKO METRO S.A., the Athens METRO company.

THETIS AUTHENTICS Ltd.,
Office: 41 M. Moussourou str., GR-116 36 Athens, Tel: (+30210) 7523029, FAX: (+30210) 7523030
Workshop: 36 Eoleon str., GR- 118 52 Athens, Tel: (+30210) 3417 837
e-mail: thetis@archaeometry.gr