Alexander Bauer

Alexander Bauer is an Associate Professor at Queens College, City University of New York (CUNY), specializing in archaeology with a focus on semiotics and cultural heritage law. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania (2006). His current research includes co-directing the Sinop Region Archaeological Project (SRAP) in Turkey, exploring long-term Black Sea interactions, and developing Peirce-based semiotic frameworks for material culture interpretation. He serves as Editor of the International Journal of Cultural Property, addressing legal and ethical disputes over cultural heritage.

Bauer’s research spans archaeology, semiotics, and cultural policy, with particular attention to the Black Sea region, Middle East, and Eurasia. He teaches courses such as 'Archaeology of the Near East' and 'Archaeological Method and Theory.' His publications critically examine cultural property law, material culture interpretation, and transregional connectivity, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to heritage preservation and ethical practice.

Key contributions include rethinking archaeological theory through semiotic models, analyzing trade networks in prehistoric contexts, and advocating for balanced cultural heritage policies that bridge institutional, national, and indigenous perspectives. His collaborative work on the Black Sea region underscores the interplay between environmental, cultural, and historical processes over millennia.