Annette Frey

Dr. Annette Frey serves as Head of the Library and Archives department at the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology (incorporating the Roman-Germanic Central Museum) in Mainz, Germany, a position she has held since 2021 after serving as Advisor to the Directorate from 2006-2020. She actively contributes to archaeological discourse as Second Secretary of the Mainz Antiquities Society and through previous leadership in the Leibniz Association's Working Group Archives.

Her academic foundation includes:

• Studies in Prehistory, Ancient History, and Book Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (1993-1998)
• Internship at Musée Archéologique de Dijon during study abroad at University of Bourgogne (1995-1996)
• Master's thesis on Alamannic grave finds in Tiengen (2000)
• PhD dissertation on Merovingian belt buckles in the Frankish kingdom (2005)

Dr. Frey's research centers on Merovingian period archaeology with emphasis on grave goods, belt buckles, and glass bead artifacts, revealing intricate trade networks between western and eastern Frankish territories. Her parallel investigation of archaeological institutional history examines the Roman-Germanic Central Museum's founding and Ludwig Lindenschmit's legacy, demonstrating how 19th-century nationalism shaped German archaeology. Recent work explores experimental archaeology applications for education and analyzes provenance issues in high-profile finds like Childeric's grave artifacts.

Publication trends since 2009 show increasing focus on museum studies and historical methodology alongside continued material culture analysis, with significant contributions to understanding early medieval craftsmanship and archaeological collecting practices. Her work appears in major German archaeological journals and monograph series of the Roman-Germanic Central Museum.

Dr. Frey does not supervise graduate students but leads the Library and Archives department, managing critical research infrastructure for the Leibniz Centre. Her professional activities include editorial work on the institution's annual reports and committee leadership within archaeological societies, reflecting deep engagement with both contemporary research and historical foundations of the discipline.

As department head, she oversees one of Germany's most significant archaeological archives, ensuring preservation of historical documents while facilitating access for international researchers. Her dual expertise in Merovingian material culture and institutional history positions her uniquely to bridge artifact analysis with critical perspectives on archaeological practice.