Archaeologist | Researcher | Member of the Museology Research Laboratory
1958–2026 · In Memoriam
Konstantinos “Dino” Politis was a Greek archaeologist and researcher whose work focused extensively on the archaeology and cultural heritage of Jordan, particularly the Dead Sea region and the area of Ṣāfī (Ghawr as-Safi).
His research combined archaeological excavation, documentation, conservation and heritage interpretation, with a particular interest in the relationship between archaeological sites, museums and the communities connected to them. His long-term research in the region included the Sanctuary of Lot at Deir ‘Ain ‘Abata, the archaeological landscape of ancient Zoara and the study of the cultural heritage of the Dead Sea region.
A significant part of his work was devoted to the development of the Museum at the Lowest Place on Earth in Ṣāfī, Jordan, which he helped establish as a space connecting archaeological research, local heritage and community participation. He also contributed to the documentation and interpretation of archaeological and cultural resources and to initiatives supporting the preservation and promotion of local heritage.
His research interests included archaeology, cultural heritage, archaeological documentation, heritage conservation, museum development, community engagement and the relationship between archaeology and local communities, with particular emphasis on Jordan and the wider Near Eastern region.
Through his long-standing collaboration with Georgios Papaioannou and the Museology Research Laboratory, he contributed to research and museum-related projects exploring the interpretation and communication of archaeological and cultural heritage.
Dino Politis authored and edited numerous scholarly publications and contributed to international research and professional collaborations in archaeology and heritage studies. His work remains an important contribution to the archaeological and cultural heritage of Jordan and to the development of approaches that connect archaeological research with museums and local communities.
In memoriam — 1958–2026