K. Thomas Platz

Dr. K. Thomas Platz is a Lecturer in Medieval and Modern Archaeology at the University of Bonn's Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology, specifically within the Department of Prehistoric and Early History Archaeology. He has maintained academic appointments at multiple German universities since the 1990s, teaching at the University of Bamberg from the winter semester of 1996/97, at the University of Heidelberg since 2006, and at the University of Bonn since 2009. In addition to his academic roles, he serves as head of the central archaeological archive since autumn 2008 and as head of the Archaeological Monument Protection Working Group of the Lower Monuments Authority of the City of Duisburg since summer 2011.

Platz received his Master's degree in 1992 and his doctorate in 2000 from Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg, with his dissertation focusing on the archaeology and history of Hilpoltstein in Middle Franconia. His educational background includes studies in medieval and modern archaeology, prehistory and early history, monument preservation, and history with a focus on medieval history.

His primary research interests center on the history of ecclesiastical and secular stone construction from late antiquity to the end of the Ottonian period, the settlement and construction history of Central Europe in the Early and High Middle Ages, and the history of the Ruhr estuary region since the Early Middle Ages. His work bridges academic research with practical archaeological applications, particularly in urban contexts.

Platz's extensive publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output focused on medieval urban development, particularly in the Duisburg region. His research shows a methodological approach that combines excavation data with historical documentation to reconstruct urban development patterns. His work frequently addresses the transformation of architectural spaces over time, particularly examining how religious and secular buildings evolved through different historical periods.

As an active participant in archaeological preservation, Platz has contributed significantly to understanding the historical development of Duisburg through systematic excavations across multiple city districts. His work represents an important contribution to the field of urban archaeology in Germany, particularly for the Rhine-Ruhr region.