Organized by:

• International Lychnological Association
• École française d’Athènes
• Hellenic Open University

The International Lychnological Association, in collaboration with the École française d’Athènes, and the Hellenic Open University, is pleased to announce the 7th ILA Congress. This Congress will focus on the recent advances in the study of ancient lamps and lighting devices from the pre-industrial era.
The 7th ILA Congress in Athens continues the ILA’s practice of thematic colloquia, providing a specialized platform for in-depth exploration of a specific theme, whether chronological, geographical, or typological. The Congress will be held at the École française d’Athènes on 7-9 May 2026.

We invite scholars in lychnology and related fields to present new research on ancient lamps including unpublished findings, studies on typology, technological advances, production methods, traces of use, and contextual analysis. We welcome discussions on how these artifacts were manufactured, utilized, and adapted in ancient societies.
Beyond lamps, we welcome studies on other forms of lighting technology, such as hearths, candles, and torches, as well as artifacts that—though not originally intended as lighting devices—were repurposed as light sources.
Submissions on archaeometric approaches to ancient lighting are highly encouraged. Relevant topics include chemical and mineralogical analyses, organic residue studies to detect fatty substances (fuel), fibers (wicks), and compositional examinations of carbonized deposits.
We also warmly invite contributions on the application of new technologies for reconstructing artificial and/or natural lighting environments. Topics might cover the development of 3D, 4D, and even 5D models based on photometric, thermic or other data derived from scientific methods.
Furthermore, we seek abstracts on ethno-archaeological and experimental archaeological approaches that shed light on ancient lighting practices. We are particularly interested in studies examining the cultural and social significance of light and darkness within domestic, funerary, communal, and ritual contexts. We welcome research on how lighting (or its absence) influenced social behaviors, work routines, and architectural design, as well as comparative studies of lighting practices across different ancient societies to explore cross-cultural exchanges.

Submission guidelines

Interested archaeologists, historians, and researchers from related fields are invited to submit an abstract of no more than 300 words by 4 January 2026. The official language of the conference is English. Abstracts should be emailed to the following address: lychnologicalcongress@outlook.com

Venue

Conference activities will take place at the École française d’Athènes

Proceedings

We are delighted to inform participants that we plan to publish the congress proceedings in collaboration with the École française d’Athènes, with a prospective volume in the Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique.

Organising committee

• Ioannis Motsianos
• Dorina Moullou
• Bastien Rueff
• Stelios Zerefos
• Laurent Chrzanovski