Cornelia Kleinitz

Cornelia Kleinitz is a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Archaeology, Humboldt University of Berlin, specializing in Northeast African Archaeology and Cultural Studies. She is also a Research Associate at the German Archaeological Institute (KAAK) and Honorary Research Associate at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge. Her work focuses on Sudanese archaeology, Meroitic studies, rock art, digital humanities, and critical heritage management.

• PhD in Archaeology from University College London (2005)
• MA in Archaeology (African Archaeology, Ethnoarchaeology) from UCL (1994)
• Magister in History and Archaeology from Freie Universität Berlin/Humboldt University (1998)

Research and Teaching

Her research spans Sudan archaeology, with leadership roles in the Musawwarat Project since 2016 and the Meroe Pyramids Graffiti Project (2015-2016). She pioneered the Musawwarat Graffiti Archive (2011-present), an open-access platform for digital documentation of ancient graffiti. Teaching includes seminars on Meroitic material culture, archaeological interpretation, and community heritage.

Scientific Awards and Grants

• Petrie-Prize for best MA thesis at UCL
• DAAD, AHRB, and UCL Graduate School funding for PhD

Leadership and Collaborations

Kleinitz co-directs the Humboldt University Archaeological Mission to Musawwarat es-Sufra and contributes to UNESCO World Heritage site management. She collaborates with institutions like the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and UCL Qatar, integrating participatory GIS and digital methods in heritage studies.