anthropologist archaeologist physician art historian
He studied medicine and later archaeology.
He became the director of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens in 1887 and held that post until his death. During that period he organized or participated in excavations in Epidaurus, Argolis, Attica, Dimini, Antikythera and elsewhere. He also wrote a lot of archaeological studies, published in various papers and mainly in Archeologiki Efimeris (Αρχαιολογική Εφημερίς "Archaeological Newspaper"), and many books
Valerios Stais also became the first to recognise the Antikythera mechanism from the lumps of archaeological material which was retrieved from the wreck.
Austrian Archaeological Institute. Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies. Society of Antiquaries of London.