Research Projects
- (A-1-1) Die Transformation des Raums durch Wissen: Fallstudie Musawwarat es-Sufra, Sudan
Using excavation data that has already been made available, as well as data from new, intensive excavations, the research project on Musawwarat es-Sufra (Sudan) investigates innovations that were developed in connection with improving the settlement space, e.g. ensuring an adequate supply of water and building materials.
- (A-1-2) Settlement strategies in and around Petra (Jordan)
The research project in Petra (Jordan) was the first to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the enormous technological efforts and innovations that facilitated permanent and representative settlement of this once uninhabitable area.
- (A-1-3) Geoarchaeological studies of settlement structures in southwest Anatolia from the late 3rd to the beginning of the 1st millennium BC
The project focused on settlements in remote, hard-to-reach mountain regions. The question arises for the compensation of the marginal habitat and the reasons for the creation of these settlements.
- (A-1-4) Around the marble hills. Interactions between the extensive marble extraction and the development of the city of Simitthus and its hinterland
The influences of extensiv raw material extraction, the processing of the workpieces and their distribution in Mediterranean world as well as the influences of the local landscape and city development of Simitthus (Tunisia) were major tasks of this research project. One focus was studying the use of the marmor Numidicum in different periods of time from the 2nd century BC until the 7th century AD to get a spectrum of utilization. The project was as well dealing with fundamental questions to trading and commerce, as to the quarries and agents in the marble business.
- (A-1-5) Mobil subsistence, communication and the use of resources in the arid Northern Badia (NE Jordan) in the Chalcolithic/Early Bronze Age
This project investigated the human activities in the arid Jordanian Northern Badia (NE Jordan) in the Chalcolithic and the Early Bronze Ages. Past and present geoarchaeological research focused on evaluating the character and scope of socioeconomic activities in this region in the mentioned periods, and on identifying possible indications for external relations connected with these activities.
- (A-1-6) The pre-Aksumite site of Yeha (1st half of 1st millennium BC) in the highlands of northern Ethiopia: Studies on ancient water use and irrigation techniques
Since 2009, this joint Ethiopian-German project has investigated Yeha, an archaeological site located 35 km northeast of Aksum (Tigray province), with regard to the causes, development and effects of Sabaean cultural transfer on Northern Ethiopia, and the process by which the Sabaeans acculturated to the native population.
- (A-1-7) Reconstructing site-specific environmental conditions of the antique settlement of Ayamonte, Lower Andalusia
This project developed an understanding of the Late-Holocene estuarine landscape changes of different small scale environments close to the Guadiana river mouth. The research was associated to the excavation of a Phoenician settlement in the modern city of Ayamonte conducted by the German Archaeological Institute (DAI). The major goal was to gain information about the relations between the colonizing Phoenician society and its environment.
- (A-1-8) Resafa-Sergiupolis – Rusafat Hisham /Syria. Urban development
One of the main research topics of this project was the analysis of urban development in a semiarid environment. Thus the colonization of a marginal habitat and its determining factors was an important focus of research.
- (A-1-9) Interaction Patterns at the Transition from Hunter-Gatherer to Sedentary Societies around Göbekli Tepe
This project investigated the location of Göbekli Tepe against the background of its regional and natural embedding.
Dissertations
- (A-1-0-1) Application of hyperspectral imaging in archaeological contexts
The research project examines the application of digital image analysis techniques for archaeological field documentation. We develop and apply semi-automated algorithms in order to achieve a more objective perspective on archaeological documentation and promote a standardised workflow. One overarching aim of the project is to examine quantitative possibilities to complement traditional perception-based interpretation of stratigraphy without the need of complex laboratory work.
- (A-1-2-1) The Landscape Organization and Spatial Strategies in the Hinterland of Petra in Nabataean-Roman Times
The dissertation project researches singular aspects and overall strategies of spatial organization in and around Petra, Jordan. The chronological frame ranges from the Iron Age until Late Antiquity. However, the main focus lies within Nabataean-Roman times.
- (A-1-4-1) Ancient Simitthus in-between urban development and marble extension.
This project intends to offer a critical overview of the studies published so far and chronological results on dealing with marble extraction, export, distribution and the influence of these industrial circumstances on the city and their environment.
- (A-1-5-1) Human-Environmental Interactions in Northeastern Jordan.
This study investigated human-environmental interactions in northeastern Jordan since late prehistory. To achieve an integrated study in which ecological, economic and cultural factors are considered together, this thesis presents three landscape archaeological case studies, focusing on different adaptation strategies of past societies.
- (A-1-7-1) Geoarchaeological case studies at the lower Guadiana estuary: Palaeogeographic development and Human-Environment Interactions at the Phoenician site of Ayamonte
This research project focuses on reconstructing the formation of the landscape in the vicinity of the ancient city of Ayamonte, Andalusia. It deals with the development of arable land for settlement and with local ecological preconditions.
- (A-1-9-1) Diachronic analysis of the interactions between landscape characteristics and settlement patterns in the surroundings of the Neolithic site Göbekli Tepe
Within this doctoral project the relationship between environment and settlement strategies in the hinterland of Göbekli Tepe in prehistoric and historic times is investigated.