About The Association for Coroplastic Studies

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The Association for Coroplastic Studies (ACoSt)  is dedicated to the study of sculptural objects in clay from the ancient Mediterranean and surrounding areas. It developed out of the Coroplastic Studies Interest Group (CSIG) of the Archaeological Institute of America in 2012 in order to offer greater support and encouragement to young researchers who were engaged in the study of figurative terracottas from antiquity.  The name of this Interest Group comes from the word koroplastes, which in Greek antiquity was the term used for a modeler and producer of images in clay. 

The costly membership dues required of the Archaeological Institute of America, as well as registration fees for their Annual Meeting, were a major impediment to young researchers wishing to participate in the Coroplastic Studies Interest Group from outside the United States. Thus, in 2011 it was decided to separate from the Archaeological Institute of America and become an independent entity.  The Association for Coroplastic Studies is a recognized not-for-profit 501c3 organization. 

After considerable deliberation the name The Association for Coroplastic Studies (ACoSt) was adopted and elections for officers was held. A website for ACoSt was developed and maintained by Christine Aubry of the University of Lille, and it was she who organized the creation of a bi-annual journal Les Carnets de l'ACoSt on the French platform openedition.org.  However, by 2022 Christine's obligations at the University of Lille were such that she was no longer able to maintain either the website or the journal after 24 issues. Stephanie Huysecom-Haxhi, Research Associate at CNR Nanterre has assumed responsibility for Les Carnets de l'ACoSt, and this new ACoSt website will replace the former one that was hosted by the University of Lille.

 ACoSt promotes the systematic study and documentation of legally-excavated figurative terracottas. At the same time, it recognizes the necessity for responsible research regarding those figurines of unknown provenience and stratigraphic origin—those targeted and removed from scholarly attention by the 1970 UNESCO Convention on Cultural Property—so long as such research places those artifacts within the context of known objects, establishing relationships and correspondences with published research to the largest extent possible. Parameters of uncertainty must be clearly and openly stated at the outset of such research and in its presentation to specialists and to the public. In every instance, the aim of the ACoSt is to promote high standards of scholarship and instruction in the area of coroplastic studies. Its members will alert colleagues to matters of fact and interpretation that may affect us all, and will support public education about why this study is important.

ACoSt shall be:

• A forum that transcends national, cultural, linguistic, and disciplinary boundaries, open to all scholars regardless of class, gender, religion, race, or nationality;

• A pluralistic organization governed by democratic processes based upon widespread and collegial consultation.