Dieter Vieweger II

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Dieter Vieweger is a leading biblical archaeologist affiliated with the Biblical Archaeological Institute at the University of Wuppertal. His groundbreaking excavations in Jerusalem, particularly at Mount Zion and the area beneath the Evangelical Church of the Redeemer, have challenged long-held assumptions about the city's Old Testament-era expansion. Using georadar, C14 dating, and OSL dating, he disproved the continuity of an Iron Age wall previously attributed to Bargil Pixner, demonstrating instead Hellenistic and Herodian-era constructions. His international collaborations include work with Israeli colleagues and Ilmenau Technical University teams, and he plans to establish an archaeology program at the Catholic University in Bethlehem through DAAD-funded lectureships.

• Director of the Biblical Archaeological Institute at the University of Wuppertal
• Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Archaeology at Kirchliche Hochschule Wuppertal/Bethel
• Visiting Professor at the Private University of Witten-Herdecke
• Executive Director of the German Protestant Institute for Ancient Studies in Jerusalem/Amman

His research focuses on ancient Jerusalem's fortifications, refugee migrations during Assyrian conquests (8th century BCE), and practical archaeological education. He emphasizes community-driven heritage preservation, advocating for sustainable tourism models in excavation management. Notable projects include the archaeological underground park beneath the Church of the Redeemer and future excavations at the Dormitio Abbey monastery garden.