Farewell to Archaeologist Konstantinos (Dino) Politis

Ionian University bids farewell with great sadness to the distinguished archaeologist Konstantinos (Dino) Politis, who passed away in August 2026, leaving behind an important legacy in archaeological research and the protection of cultural heritage.

Dino Politis was a postdoctoral researcher at Ionian University and a long-standing collaborator of the Museology Research Laboratory of the Department of Information Science. His postdoctoral research focused on Zoara/Zughar at Ghor es-Safi in Jordan, bringing to Ionian University part of a research journey spanning several decades in the region. His work was also associated with significant international publications, including the Ancient Landscapes of Zoara series published by Routledge, with contributions from researchers at Ionian University.

For more than four decades, Dino Politis worked extensively in Jordan, particularly in the Dead Sea region. His work included the excavation of the Sanctuary of Lot at Deir ‘Ain ‘Abata, his long-term research at ancient Zoara, and his significant contribution to the establishment of the Museum at the Lowest Place on Earth. His approach combined archaeological research with the protection and interpretation of cultural heritage and close engagement with local communities.

The international significance of his contribution is also reflected in recent tributes published by The Guardian and The Jordan Times, highlighting both his scholarly achievements and the profound relationship he developed with Jordan and its people.

Konstantinos Politis obituary – The Guardian
Remembering Dino Politis – The Jordan Times

Ionian University honours the memory of an important scholar and valued member of its academic community, whose work will continue to serve as a point of reference for the archaeology and cultural heritage of Jordan and the wider region.