Charles K. Williams II, a prominent figure in the field of Greek archaeology known for his extensive work at the ancient city of Corinth, died on September 16 in Athens at the age of 96, his niece Abby Coffin confirmed.

Williams directed the American School of Classical Studies at Athens’ Corinth excavations from 1966 to 1997, overseeing research across various historical periods including the Iron Age, Greek, Roman, and medieval eras. His dedication to exploring the full chronological spectrum of the site marked a departure from the more focused approaches typical in archaeology, according to Christopher Pfaff, the current excavation director.

Among Williams’s notable discoveries were Roman-era frescoes, Byzantine cookware, nearly 11 tons of pottery, a public bath featuring a fifth-century BC mosaic of a donkey and a centaur, and medieval structures including an infirmary and a small church dating to the 13th century. Challenging previous assumptions about the layout of Corinth’s central public space, his excavations revealed instead a series of small shrines, a running track, a bathing facility, and commercial establishments.

In the 1980s, during excavations near the Roman theater, Williams and his team uncovered an extensive collection of fresco fragments—approximately 120,000 pieces—within a courtyard leading to several rooms. These wall paintings, some still intact, depicted various figures such as Aphrodite holding a shield and floral garlands adorned with musical instruments. Williams interpreted these rooms as spaces where women might have gathered for ritual cleansing and hairstyling, supported by finds like a wash basin stand and figurines showing women washing their hair.

The frescoes were particularly exceptional, as such well-preserved wall paintings are rare in Greece outside of tombs. Williams described archaeology as an unpredictable field where unexpected discoveries continually emerge, noting that each new finding added to the understanding of Corinth’s complex urban history.

Born on June 19, 1930, in Easton, Pennsylvania, Williams was the son of Morris and Josephine Williams. His father led a pigment manufacturing firm purchased by Pfizer in 1962, and the family was known for philanthropy in the arts, especially at Lafayette College. Williams developed an early interest in archaeology through museum visits during childhood but initially pursued architecture, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Princeton University. His doctoral dissertation at the University of Pennsylvania focused on Corinth and was completed in 1978.

Williams gained practical experience working with British archaeologist Alan Wace in Mycenae and later worked as an architect in New York City before dedicating his career to archaeology. He joined the American School in 1962 and took over Corinth excavations four years later. Colleagues noted his fluency in Greek and his respectful treatment of local workers, fostering close relationships with the community.

Using his inherited wealth, Williams funded multiple facilities, including Hill House in Corinth, a research and residential center, and spaces dedicated to the reconstruction and storage of frescoes. He also supported laboratories and endowed excavations at the American and British schools in Athens. In 2001, he donated $16 million to modernize the University of Pennsylvania’s archaeology museum.

Williams received several honors including the Commander of the Order of the Phoenix from Greece and the Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement from the Archaeological Institute of America. Beyond his archaeological pursuits, he was an accomplished watercolor artist and an art collector known for his appreciation of early 20th-century paintings, distinct from classical art traditions.

He is survived by nieces Lucy Rhame and Abby Coffin, nephew Willy Rhame, and sister Joan Rhame.