The Centre for Research & Conservation of Archaeologican Textiles (ARTEX), is a civil non-profit organization founded in 2002 by Giuli Spantidakis, biologist and researcher of ancient textiles, Iris Tzahilis, professor of prehistoric archeology at the University of Crete, and Eliza Polychroniadou, museologist and conservator of organic materials. The aim of the Center is to research archaeological textiles (from Antiquity to modern and industrial archaeology), to raise public awareness of the existence of textile remains in Greece, dating back to the Bronze Age, and to promote the results of the research in the scientific community and the general public. Its goal is also to highlight the multiple aspects of the archaeologist's profession (excavation, study, exhibition and display of objects, dissemination of knowledge).
The John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation through its Scientific Associations Programme is funding the development of a new, dynamic and interactive state-of-the-art website linked to social media. This user-friendly website will feature multimedia content (video, photographs and maps) to optimally disseminate the Centre’s archival material. The new website will bring the public in close contact with a wealth of important yet largely unknown ancient relics. Supporting both casual surfing and easy access to information on such a sophisticated and highly specialized field of study as archaeological textiles, it will highlight their role as sources of information regarding the society that produced them. A single visit will suffice for users to access important information on the craft of textile weaving, on types of garments and various techniques.
Moreover, past issues of the “Arachni” journal will be digitized and posted on the website, so they can be accessed by all users and facilitate research on ancient textiles.