Gerd Graßhoff

Prof. Dr. Gerd Graßhoff is Professor at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and served as Director of the Excellence Cluster Topoi (2010–2019). He leads interdisciplinary research on ancient science, coordinating projects that span Babylonian astronomy, Greco-Roman scientific instruments, Ptolemaic geography, and the epistemology of spatial knowledge.

His research integrates philological analysis of cuneiform and classical sources with modern digital techniques such as 3-D scanning and GIS to reconstruct ancient scientific practices and their conceptual frameworks.

• Key Themes:
  • Mathematical astronomy in Babylonia
  • History and function of ancient sundials
  • Geographical concepts in Ptolemy’s work
  • Causal reasoning and empirical methods in antiquity
  • Globalization and transmission of ancient knowledge

Across more than fifty publications since 2010—including monographs, edited volumes, and journal articles—Graßhoff has advanced the study of how ancient cultures observed, measured, and theorized space and time. His work repeatedly combines meticulous source analysis with innovative digital documentation.

Scientific Outreach & Awards:
While formal awards are not listed in the supplied text, Graßhoff has organized numerous high-profile conferences and workshops (e.g., the annual Topoi Jahrestagungen, specialized sundial workshops, and international colloquia at venues such as ETH Zürich), demonstrating sustained scholarly leadership and recognition.

Teams, Labs & Projects:
He heads or co-heads several Topoi research groups including

• Forum – Spatial Data Analysis (A-SDA)
• Space of Nature (D-5)
• From Technology to Science: Knowledge Transfer in Antiquity (D-6)
• Atlas of Innovations (hosting the Key Topic Innovation)

These groups bring together doctoral researchers, post-docs, and international guests to generate digital editions, 3-D reconstructions, and theoretical analyses of ancient scientific artefacts.