Research

William R. Biers Photographic Collection

COLLECTION OVERVIEW

Collection Number: GR ASCSA WRB 138
Name(s) of Creator(s): William R. Biers (1938-2018)
Title: William R. Biers Photographic Collection
Date [bulk]: 1960-1990
Date [inclusive]:
Language(s): English
Summary: The collection contains 1,342 slides that William (Bill) Biers created from 1960 until 1990, and depicts various archaeological sites in Greece.
Quantity: 0.40 linear meters
Immediate Source of Acquisition: Gift of Jane Biers, 2018-2024
Information about Access: The collection is available for research after consultation with the Archivist.
Cite as: American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Archives, William R. Biers Photographic Collection (Αμερικανική Σχολή Κλασικών Σπουδών στην Αθήνα, Φωτογραφική Συλλογή William R. Biers)
Notes: The collection was inventoried by Jennifer Bakatselou, 2025.

For more information, please contact the Archives at:
The American School of Classical Studies at Athens
54 Souidias Street, Athens 106 76, Greece
phone: +30 213 000 2400 (ext. 425)
Contact via E-mail

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

William (Bill) Biers was born on October 29, 1938, in Brussels, Belgium, the son of Howard Biers and Constance (Herzog) Biers. Biers earned a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and an AB from Brown University. He was a regular member of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens in 1963 and Secretary from 1964 to 1968; in 1970, he led the School's summer session. Biers joined the faculty of University of Missouri in 1968 as a member of the Department of Art History and Archaeology where he taught classes in Greek art and archaeology until his retirement in 2001. In 1989-1990 he was Whitehead Professor at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens.

A classical archaeologist, he excavated in Turkey and Israel, was director of excavations at ancient Phlius, Greece, and co-director of excavations at Mirobriga, Portugal. His area of specialty was the study of Greek perfume vases, and he pioneered the non-destructive extraction and investigation of organic residues with his colleague Klaus Gerhardt. His many publications included a highly successful textbook, The Archaeology of Greece: An Introduction; Mirobriga: Investigations of an Iron Age and Roman Site in Southern Portugal (with Jane C. Biers, Albert Leonard, Jr. and Kathleen W. Slane); Art, Artefacts and Chronology in Classical Archaeology; Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum, Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Missouri 1 (with Lisa Benson); and numerous scholarly articles and book reviews.

INVENTORY

BOX 1

Phlius site: 1962-1981, 445 slides total

  • Phlius aqueduct, plans, and pottery: pgs. 1-6, 106 slides, Years 1972-1977
  • Phlius pottery and other finds, excavations: pgs. 7-9, 45 slides, no date and/or no label
  • Phlius excavations and views: pgs. 10-18, 164 slides, 1962-1981
  • Phlius mixed: pgs. 19-22, 76 slides, no date
  • Phlius mixed: pgs. 23-25, 1967-1973, 41 slides
  • Phlius glass lantern slides: pgs. 26-29, 13 slides [NB. kept in separate folder on shelf]

BOX 2

Various Sites: 1960-1989, 463 slides total [A-M]

  • Akraifnio [Boeotia] 1963: Thebes museum Apollo of Ptoon, Sanctuaries of Apollo and the Hero Ptoios, pg. 1, 10 slides
  • Amnisos 1963: entrance court, excavations, peninsula, pg. 1, 5 slides
  • Amphipolis 1966: Lion of Amphipolis, basilica, reused columns, Strymon [Strimona] plain, modern town, pgs. 1-2, 9 slides
  • Amphissa 1963: view from citadel, ashlar masonry, wall, pg. 2, 5 slides
  • Arkadia 1963: sunset in Arkadia, Peloponnesus, pg. 2, 1 slide
  • Aulis 1960-1963: general views, sacred spring, temple, masonry, pg. 2, 7 slides
  • Bassae 1960-1963: Temple of Apollo Epicurius, panoramic view, general view, pgs. 2-3, 7 slides
  • Brauron 1970: stoa, bridge, pg. 3, 3 slides
  • Chaeronea 1960: Lion of Chaeronea, general site view, pg. 3, 5 slides
  • Chalcis 1960: Euripus, old Euripus bridge, general views, panoramic view, citadel, beach, views along the coast, pgs. 3-4, 13 slides
  • Chamaizi 1963: site view from below, view to coast, general view of local village, pg. 4, 3 slides
  • Cos 1967?: street, odeum, Asklepion, Hippocrates statue, pg. 4, 7 slides
  • Daphni 1960: monastery, icon, pg. 4, 2 slides
  • Delos 1960: ship, port views, general views, general site views, Lions of Delos sculptures, mosaics, theater, pgs. 4-6, 24 slides
  • Delphi 1960-1974: general site views, tholos, Athenian treasury, theater, museum sculptures including Siphnian caryatid, Charioteer, and the Siphnian treasury relief, mosaic, church, Phaedriades cliffs, Oedipus crossroads, view of Delphi from the Corycian Cave, cave entrance, sanctuary panorama, pgs. 6-8, 46 slides
  • Demetrias Pagasai [Magnesia] 1966: mud brick tower where painted statue found, pg. 8, 1 slide
  • Dodona 1966: theater, temple of Zeus, pg. 8, 8 slides
  • Dreros 1963: general view, construction, Hellenistic cistern, pg. 8, 3 slides
  • Elis 1974: theater “machine”, theater, pgs. 8-9, 6 slides
  • Ephyra [Epirus] 1964-1966: oracle of the dead, general views, polygonal walls, pg. 9, 5 slides
  • Epidauros 1960-1974: general views, theater, sunset, bridge, pgs. 9-10, 12 slides
  • Eretria 1960-1963: view of crossing, theater, Temple of Apollo Daphniforos, entrance to theater, gate and masonry, view of Acropolis, Hellenistic tholos tomb, pg. 10, 16 slides
  • Gla 1963: South gate and ramp, general site views, megaron, fig tree gate, fortifications, pgs. 10-11, 12 slides
  • Gortyn 1960-1963: theater, view from acropolis, Temple of Apollo, walls below acropolis, pg. 11, 6 slides
  • Gournia 1963: whole site view, entrance to palace, pg. 11, 4 slides
  • Hagia Triada 1960-1963: general views, view to Mt. Dikte, “Kings megaron”, sunset, pg. 12, 8 slides
  • Herakleion 1960: Rocca a Mare Fortress, coastal view, pg. 12, 6 slides
  • Hosios Loukas 1963: entrance, icon, general view, pg. 12, 3 slides
  • Ikarion 1963-1981: general site views, theater, temple of Pythion Apollo, excavations, stamp, site map drawing, slides of figures 1-7 and article photos found in Hesperia: Vol. 51, No.1 (Jan.-March, 1982), pp. 1-18, pgs. 12-16, 81 slides
  • Ioannina 1966: view of Lake Ioanninon Pamvotida, general mountain view, pg. 16, 2 slides
  • Istanbul 1963: general views, Agia Sophia, pg. 17, 4 slides
  • Isthmia 1960-1963: Isthmian games starting line, Diolkos, pg. 17, 4 slides
  • Kabeirion 1989: theater, temple, pg. 17, 3 slides
  • Kalavryta 1972: general views, Agia Lavra, pg. 17, 2 slides
  • Karytaina 1960-1963: view from Karytaina, panoramic view of village, pg. 17, 2 slides
  • Kassope 1966: site view, pg. 17, 1 slide
  • Kavala 1966: Dikili Tas, Turkish road, panoramic view, aqueduct, house of Mehmet Ali, pgs. 17-18, 5 slides
  • Kea 1965: general views, marble slab with Mycenean warrior, road with drain, paved area with red stucco, low tread stairs, room with central pillar and bothros, temple, fortification walls, Agia Irini, Kephala, pg. 18, 14 slides
  • Knossos 1960-1963: general site views, Caravanserai, Temple Tomb, “Horns of Consecration”, N. entrance, domestic quarter, double axes megaron, pg. 18-19, 18 slides
  • Lake Yliki 1963-1966: Mount Kithairon, North Peninsula, site of Hyle?, pg. 19, 3 slides
  • Lamia 1960: church Agios Georgios?, pg. 19, 1 slide
  • Langada Pass 1969: general view, pg. 19, 1 slide
  • Lato 1963: general site views, agora, road, prytaneum, temple, view to Agios Nikolaos, pgs. 19-20, 9 slides
  • Lerna 1960-1963: general site view, House of Tiles, pg. 20, 3 slides
  • Levadia 1960: Trophonius, pg. 20, 1 slide
  • Lycosura 1963: general site view, pg. 20, 2 slides
  • Mallia 1963: court façade, entrance, Kernos stone, central court, bathroom, sunset, pgs. 20-21, 11 slides
  • Mani 1967-1969: beach near Gytheio, general views, pg. 21, 4 slides
  • Marathon 1960: general view, pg. 21, 1 slide
  • Megalopolis 1960: theater, pg. 21, 3 slides
  • Messene 1963: general view, gate and tower, bouleuterion and theater, Temple of Artemis, pg. 21, 4 slides
  • Meteora 1966: general views, pg. 21, 3 slides
  • Methoni 1963: Methoni castle, view to sea, pgs. 21-22, 2 slides
  • Mystra 1960-1969: panoramic view, site view, fortifications, view of Mistra from Sparta, pg. 22, 7 slides
  • Monemvasia 1967: View of acropolis, entrance, lower town, mainland view from acropolis, church, general views, pg. 22, 10 slides
  • Mount Olympus 1966: general view, view from SE, pg. 22, 2 slides
  • Mycenae 1960-1973: general site views, lower town, Lion’s Gate, graves, citadel from Grave circle B, site from Argos road, pgs. 23-24, 21 slides
  • Mykonos 1960: general view of windmills, street view, pg. 24, 2 slides

BOX 3

Various Sites: 1960-1989, 390 slides total [N-Z]

  • Nafplio 1960-1970: Palamidi Fortress, general and panoramic views, view from Lerna, road to Tripoli from Nafplio, Bay of Nafplio, pg. 1, 13 slides
  • Nemea 1960-1967: grave excavations, Temple of Zeus, building IV, stratigraphy, whole site view, digging a well, graves, column drums, skeleton, pgs. 1-3, 36 slides
  • Nikopolis 1966: bath, pg. 3, 2 slides
  • Nirou Chani 1963: entrance, living rooms, pg. 3, 2 slides
  • Oiniadae 1966: general view, arch in walls, tower, theater, pg. 3, 5 slides
  • Olympia 1960-1970: general site views, Temple of Hera, Temple of Zeus, stadium, arched way to the stadium, column closeups, mosaics, pgs. 3-5, 38 slides
  • Orchomenos 1960: church, tholos tomb, view of the plain, views from the acropolis, pgs. 5-6, 11 slides
  • Oropos 1960: small dock, pg. 6, 1 slide
  • Palaikastro 1963: British excavations, house, general view, view from Diktaion Cave, pg. 6, 5 slides
  • Patras 1963: theater, general views, pg. 6, 5 slides
  • Pella 1966: mosaics, general site view, pgs. 6-7, 5 slides
  • PEO [Palaia Ethniki Odos] Athinon-Thessalonikis: SE of Aiginio, no date, airplane on roof of cafe, pg. 7, 1 slide
  • Phaistos 1960-1963: general site view, monumental staircase, central court, pillar shrine, façade of earlier palace, pg. 7, 11 slides
  • Pharsala 1966: general view of the plain looking East, pg. 7, 1 slide
  • Philippi 1966: Via Egnatia, view of agora, basilica B, latrine, theater, view of the plain, reliefs, pgs. 7-8, 8 slides
  • Platanos 1966: mediaeval castle near Platanos below Olympus, pg. 8, 2 slides
  • Porto Cheli 1965: round tower, bay view, altar table, pg. 8, 3 slides
  • Prinias 1963: general view from below, pg. 8, 1 slide
  • Pylos 1960-1969: general landscape views, Palace of Nestor, bathtub, tholos tomb, view of Navarino bay, pg. 8, 9 slides
  • Rafina? 1963: docks, pgs. 9-10, 4 slides
  • Rhamnous 1960-1963: general site view, sea view to Euboean Strait, church, Temple of Nemesis, pg. 9, 9 slides
  • Rhodes 1965: harbor, old town, Amboise gate, Palace of Grand Master, Lindos, ship relief, propylon, Temple of Athena, Kameiros, Mosque of Suleymaniye, Street of Knights, Inn of France?, old quarter, Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, Ialysos, view from Ialysos, bell tower, port, monastery, pgs. 9-11, 33 slides
  • Samos 1966: general views, view to Turkey, fortification at Tigane/Heraeum, acropolis, Heraeum, Sacred Way, foundations, theater, Vathi, pgs. 11-12, 16 slides
  • Santorini/Thera 1960-1966: Temple of Egyptian Gods, Sacred Way, theater, Temple of Pithios Apollo, Royal Stoa, general views, Kamene, Therasia, quarries, pgs. 12-13, 22 slides
  • Sicyon 1963-1967: gymnasium, temple foundations, theater, stadium, general view, view from bouleuterion, retaining wall at gymnasium of Kleinias, fountain, pgs. 13-14, 18 slides
  • Sounion 1960-1967: Temple of Poseidon, general views, sunset, view of temple from road, pg. 14, 18 slides
  • Sparta 1960-1969: general view, mountain views, pgs. 14-15, 8 slides
  • Sphacteria 1963: sea view, pg. 15, 2 slides
  • Stratos 1966: with school, general view, pg. 15, 2 slides
  • Stymphalia 1965: lake, Frankish church, site view from acropolis, pgs. 15-16, 10 slides
  • Thermon 1966-1989: general views, apsidal temple, pg. 16, 6 slides
  • Thermopylae 1960-1963: bronze statue of Leonidas, general views, gorge of Asopos, pg. 16, 11 slides
  • Thessalian Plain 1966: panoramic view, pg. 16, 1 slide
  • Thorikos 1963-1972: theater, general site view, pgs. 16-17, 6 slides
  • Tiryns 1960: general views, Sally port, pg. 17, 5 slides
  • Tylissos 1963: entrance, cistern, storerooms, stoa?, pg. 17, 8 slides
  • Vale of Tempi 1966: general views, wall of temple, pgs. 17-18, 5 slides
  • Vergina 1989: theater, pg. 18, 1 slide
  • Volos 1966: modern model, general view, pg. 18, 2 slides

Persons 1967-1990, 5 slides

  • Paul Wallace and Nora Jean Wallace, 1967, pg. 19, 1 slide
  • Jane Biers and William Biers?, Corinth, 1989-90, pg. 19, 1 slide
  • Maria, Liston and bird, May 1990, pg. 19, 1 slide
  • ASCSA, Easter, June 1990, pg. 19, 1 slide
  • John Camp, Stratoniceia, Turkey, ASCSA trip, 1990, pg. 19, 1 slide

Sculptures, Reliefs and Pottery, pgs. 20-21, 39 slides