The Archaeological Society of Athens (Greek: Εν Αθήναις Αρχαιολογική Εταιρεία) is an independent learned society. Also termed the Greek Archaeological Society, it was founded in 1837 by Konstantinos Bellios, just a few years after the establishment of the modern Greek State, with the aim of encouraging archaeological excavations, maintenance, care and exhibition of antiquities in Greece. The Archaeological Society of Athens work in excavation and funding of archaeological endeavours are extensive. For example, the society helped discover new epigraphical evidence associated with the sanctuary of the goddess Demeter within Eleusis. In addition to this, they provided plans of the prehistoric settlement of Thorikos to help uncover ancient ceramic material. History The Archaeological Society of Athens is an independent archaeological organisation of scholars, historians, and academics founded in 1837. It was built to relocate, restore, and re-erecting the antiquities of Greece lost after the War of Independence. In collaborations with Greek archaeologist Kyriakos Pittakis, founder Konstantinos Bellios establish the independent society by first informing the Minister of Education Iakovakis Rizos Neroulos, and Head of Division of the Ministry of Education Alexandros Rizos Rangavis. Wherein the founding documents of the Archaeological Society of Athens were written in 1836. The independent society was assisted the state through the acceptance of donations in money and archaeological publications. Thus, accelerating excavations, restoration and additions to ancient monuments in order to restore neglected Greek artefacts and scholarship in places such as the Eleusis and Thorikos. Notable members Konstantinos Bellios was an Aromanian from Linotopi, in the Kastoria Prefecture. Bellios began his career in commerce and finance. However, following the establishment of the Kingdom of Greece, as a wealthy scholar and nationalist, he donated to causes and organisations that assisted the reconstruction of Greece. His contributions to Athens are demonstrated in December 1837, when in collaboration with Kyriakos Pittakis, the director of the Greek Archaeological Service, led him to find and fund the private Archaeological Society of Athens. From 1859 to 1894, scholar and epigraphist Stefanos Koumanoudis became the Secretary of the society. Koumanoudis initiated large-scale excavations around Athens including Kermeikos, Acropolis, and the Theatre of Dionysus. He went further than Athens to Attica, excavating sites including Thorikos, Marathon, and Eleusis. Further, the Boeotian sites of Thespiae, Tangram and Chaeronea. He also had the initiative in excavating in the Peloponnese (Mycenae, Epidaurus, Lakonia) and the Cyclades. Other significant members include the vice president from 1975 to 1977,