This research project addressed the topic of compass points in antiquity. Compass points or cardinal directions were far less standardized in Greek and Roman times than in the modern era.
Research Topic: "mapping"
Bird´s Eye View in Ancient Greek Sources (C-5-4)
Research projectWithin this research project descriptions of landscapes in various literary genres of Greek literature were investigated, paying particular attention to the study of those passages in which a “bird’s-eye view” is used. During the research, the focus shifted insofar as the search for the bird’s-eye view has cast some doubt on the model of a “hodological space”, at least as a default model to explain ancient geographical descriptions.
Insularity (C-5-3)
Research projectThe goal of this project was to investigate on the one hand the diachronic development of the concept of island, or rather, insularity, through a philological examination of the literary sources, and on the other hand to reconstruct the role this concept played in the context of Greek and Roman thought.
Mental Modelling (C-5-1)
Research projectThis interdisciplinary research project aimed at linking cutting-edge research in cognitive linguistics with studies in ancient geography. Cognitive linguistic approaches usually deal with synchronic processes, whereas the study of ancient texts necessarily implies the adoption of a diachronic perspective. The combination of these two methods allowed to gain a unique insight into the conceptualization of spatial categories in the ancient world.
Common Sense Geography (C-5)
Research GroupThis research group focused on the subject of “common sense geography”. This term, which was coined by the members of the group, represents an attempt to link three subject areas together. AT A GLANCE 27 Researchers 9 Research Projects 2 Dissertation Projects 98 Publications 18 Events 42 Cooperating partners Common sense geography refered firstly to […]
Near and Far (C-4-1)
Research projectIn textual and visual narratives space is often used to create a story or to convey a meaning. The art of the Middle and Neo-Assyrian Empire (ca. 1300-612 BC) offers an interesting case for studying the use of space in pictorial narratives as a firm element of the political propaganda. Hence, the aim of this research project was not to analyze space as an abstract compositional element of visual representations but as narrative element related to royal discourses and historical events.
Wheel-Thrown Pottery Distribution (A-6-4)
Research projectThis project investigated the emergence and development of wheel-thrown pottery in the Germanic Babaricum from the second half of the 2nd c. AD. In the course of the study, a large series of surviving ceramics underwent geochemical and other archaeoceramological analyses, in order to determine the spatial distribution of the various production sites. The goal of the project was to reveal the economic structures underlying this distribution.
3D Climatic Modeling (A-SDA-1)
Research projectThis project will employ a multidisciplinary approach in recording, modeling and assessing climatic and ecological changes in the region north of the Black Sea. This will involve investigating to what extent natural environmental changes are connected with the shift from mobile herding to sedentary culture in regional societies.
Pastorialism (A-2-1)
Research projectForms of pastoralism are at the heart of one project researching the Eurasian steppe and forest-steppe zone. Two projects investigated the remains of pastoralists in the 4th/3rd millennium BCE north of the Black Sea and of the 1st millennium BCE in the steppe north of the Caucasus.
Badia, Jordan (A-1-5)
Research projectThis 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.