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Christopher Miller is a Professor of Geoarchaeology at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen (since 2016) and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Institute for Archaeological Sciences (since 2013). He previously served as Junior Professor of Geoarchaeology (2010-2016) and Acting Head of the Archaeometry Division (2013-2015). His research focuses on site formation processes, archaeological micromorphology, and the role of fire in human evolution, with a particular emphasis on Paleolithic cave sites. Education: PhD (2010): Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Dissertation on Paleolithic cave sites' formation processes and settlement dynamics MSc (2004-2006): University of Maine, Thesis on geoarchaeological settings in the eastern US BA (2000-2004): Boston University, Dual degree in Archaeology and Earth Science Research interests include: Micromorphological analysis of archaeological sediments Geochemical tracing of Paleolithic sites Reconstruction of prehistoric human-environment interactions Development of novel microanalytical techniques for archaeological contexts His recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to site formation processes, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and the application of clumped isotope thermometry in archaeological contexts. He has conducted fieldwork in South Africa, Italy, Germany, and the Levant, focusing on cave systems and open-air sites. As an academic leader, he oversees the Geoarchaeology research group and collaborates with international teams on projects such as the Neolithic Movila lui Deciov settlement and the Swabian Jura Paleolithic sites. His work bridges geochemistry, archaeology, and environmental science to unravel the complexities of human adaptation in prehistoric environments.

• Geoarchaeology
• Paleolithic Archaeology
• Archaeological Micromorphology
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Eileen Eckmeier serves as Director of the Institute for Ecosystem Research at Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel and holds a W3 Professorship in Geoarchaeology and Environmental Risks. She concurrently acts as Co-spokesperson of the ROOTS Cluster of Excellence (since October 2023), Spokesperson of the ROOTS subcluster "Socio-Environmental Hazards," Vice President of DEUQUA (German Quaternary Association), and Board member of multiple academic organizations including the Soil and Archaeology Working Group of the German Soil Science Society. Her educational background includes a Dr. sc. nat. from the University of Zurich (2007) with award from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences for her dissertation "Detecting prehistoric fire-based farming using biogeochemical markers," and a Diploma in Geography from the University of Cologne (2002) with minors in Soil Science, Prehistory and Early History, and History. Eckmeier's research centers on soil geography and geoarchaeology , particularly human-environment relationships during the Holocene where soils serve as both resources and archives of human activity. Her work investigates changes in soil properties due to land use and climate change across spatial and temporal scales, with geographical focus spanning European and Asian loess/steppe landscapes (Central Europe, Middle East, Mongolia), North Frisian Islands, the Alps, and African savannahs. She employs interdisciplinary approaches combining soil science, archaeology, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals strong emphasis on paleoenvironmental reconstruction through soil archives , with significant contributions to understanding prehistoric agriculture, loess-paleosol sequences, and human impacts on landscapes. Key thematic clusters include Neolithic fertilization practices, ridge and furrow cultivation systems, wildfire impacts on soils, and tectonic-landscape-human interactions in critical regions like the Kenya Rift and European loess belts. Award from Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Zurich As Director of the Institute for Ecosystem Research and Co-spokesperson of the ROOTS Cluster of Excellence, Eckmeier leads major research initiatives examining societal, environmental, and cultural change. Her leadership extends to the Scientific Advisory Board of the Stone Age Park Dithmarschen and multiple institutional boards focused on Quaternary research and soil-archaeology integration. Current projects investigate socio-environmental hazards through the ROOTS framework while maintaining active fieldwork in diverse global landscapes from European loess regions to African savannahs. Eckmeier directs research teams within the Institute for Ecosystem Research's Geoarchaeology and Environmental Risks group, coordinating work across multiple specialized units including Geobotany, Environmental History and Archives, Applied Ecology and Paleoecology, and Technical Platform teams. Her ROOTS Cluster leadership integrates these efforts into a comprehensive framework examining human responses to environmental change over millennia.

• Soil Geography
• Geoarchaeology
• Human-Environment Interactions
• +5 more

Prof. David E. Friesem is an environmental archaeologist affiliated with the University of Haifa and the University of Cambridge. He holds a position at the Department of Maritime Civilizations within the School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures at the University of Haifa, and is also part of the Department of Archaeology and the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on human-environment interactions across the Middle Paleolithic to Iron Age periods, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean. He employs geoarchaeological methods, including soil micromorphology, infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis, to study site formation, resource exploitation, and human responses to environmental changes. Friesem is associated with several research institutes, including the Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies and the Haifa Center for Mediterranean History at the University of Haifa. His work integrates social and ecological theory to explore cultural transitions and the dynamic interplay between human agency and environmental constraints.

• Environmental Archaeology
• Human-Environment Interactions
• Geoarchaeology
• +3 more

Susan Marie Mentzer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences within the Faculty of Science at the University of Tübingen, specializing in geoarchaeology with emphasis on micromorphological analysis of anthropogenic sediments. She leads the Geoarchaeology research group at the Institute for Archaeological Sciences (INA) and is actively affiliated with the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment. Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Anthropology with Concentration in Archaeology and Minor in Geosciences from the University of Arizona (2011), an M.A. in Archaeology with Minor in Geosciences from the University of Arizona (2005), and a B.A. in Archaeology and Earth Sciences summa cum laude from Boston University (2003). Her doctoral research focused on the Macro- and Micro-scale Geoarchaeology of Üçağızlı Caves in Turkey. Mentzer's research integrates micromorphology with micro-FTIR and micro-XRF to analyze Paleolithic caves, Neolithic tells, and experimental materials like plaster and wood ash. Her work spans Eurasian Paleolithic sites, African Middle Stone Age contexts, and ritual spaces, with particular expertise in combustion features, site formation processes, and human-environment interactions during the forager-farmer transition. Recent publications demonstrate methodological innovation in analyzing rockshelters, hearths, and stratigraphic sequences across global contexts from South Africa to Anatolia. As an Associate Editor for Geoarchaeology , she contributes significantly to scholarly discourse. Her methodological leadership is evident in developing online teaching strategies during the pandemic, as documented in The SAA Archaeological Record . Mentzer teaches specialized courses including Anthropogenic Deposits and Site Formation Processes, Stratigraphy, Archaeological Micromorphology, and Microanalytics. Her laboratory work involves stable isotope analysis, micro-XRF, and experimental archaeology to reconstruct ancient human behaviors through sediment micromorphology.

• Geoarchaeology
• Archaeological Micromorphology
• Human-Environment Interactions
• +5 more

Elena Amelie Hensel-Karamalakidou is a Researcher specializing in Geoarchaeology and Environmental Risks at the Institute for Ecosystem Research (IÖF), Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel. Her work focuses on rockshelter deposits across Ethiopia, Namibia, and Germany, integrating geomorphological and geochemical approaches to understand human-environment interactions during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. Her research interests encompass Geoarchaeology, Geomorphology, Quaternary Research, Micromorphology, Sedimentology, and Geochemistry. She investigates human-environment relationships through detailed analysis of shelter and cave deposits, with particular emphasis on volcanic rockshelters in Southwest Ethiopia and desert margin sites in Namibia. Her methodological toolkit includes microstratigraphic analysis, hydrological modeling, and multi-scale environmental reconstruction. Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong focus on Ethiopian Highlands rockshelters (particularly Sodicho), Namib Desert sequences (Pockenbank Rock Shelter), and interdisciplinary approaches combining geoarchaeology with paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Key trends include water resource analysis in mountainous regions, volcanic sediment micromorphology, and Late Pleistocene human migration corridors. Her professional trajectory demonstrates continuous academic engagement since 2014 through roles at Universität zu Köln and current position at Kiel University. While no formal awards are documented, her active participation in major conferences (INQUA, European Geosciences Union) reflects scholarly recognition. As a current research associate, she contributes to the DFG-funded project 'Out of Africa – Late Pleistocene Rock Shelter Stratigraphies and Palaeoenvironments in Northeast Africa' (SFB 806), focusing on geoarchaeological investigations at multiple spatial scales. Her work forms critical components of interdisciplinary teams examining culture-environment interactions during human mobility in the Late Quaternary.

• Geoarchaeology
• Geomorphology
• Quaternary Research
• +7 more

Anastasiia Kurgaeva is a doctoral student and researcher at the Cluster of Excellence ROOTS at Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel. She works within the Institute for Ecosystem Research, specifically the Geobotany and Environmental History and Archives teams. Her research focuses on human-environment interactions in prehistoric settlements, paleopedology, and biogeochemistry of anthropogenic landscapes. Current affiliation: Cluster of Excellence ROOTS, Kiel University Research focus: Geoarchaeology, Paleopedology, Anthropogenic landscape transformation Study areas: European loess belt, Central Asia, Northern Germany, Siberia Her research utilizes soil micromorphology, biomarker analysis, and stratigraphic studies to trace human impact on soils at Paleolithic and Neolithic sites. Recent work examines cultural layer formation processes and early anthropogenic influences during the Late Pleistocene-Holocene transition. Key trends in her publications include: Analysis of soil remnants in Viking settlements Earthwork construction material identification Multi-proxy approaches to paleosol studies NDVI-based pollution monitoring in taiga landscapes Comparative chronostratigraphy across Eurasian loess regions Scientific awards include: Doctoral fellowship from ROOTS Cluster of Excellence DAAD-funded research stays Participation in international training programs (e.g., Soil Micromorphology in Lleida, Spain) She has conducted fieldwork at archaeological sites in Greece, Germany, and Russia, with affiliations at Technische Universität Dresden and the Malcolm H. Wiener Laboratory for Archaeological Science.

• Geoarchaeology
• Paleopedology
• Human-Environment Interactions
• +3 more

Dr. Julian Krause is a researcher at the Institute of Geography and Geology at the University of Würzburg . His work focuses on soil geography , geomorphology , and natural hazards , with particular emphasis on climate change impacts and soil moisture dynamics in Lower Franconia. PhD in Natural Sciences (Dr. rer. nat.) from University of Würzburg (2024) M.Sc. in Applied Physical Geography (2017) with thesis on archaeological soils B.Sc. in Geography & History (2014) with thesis on landslide mapping His research spans environmental monitoring , data modeling , and geoarchaeology , with significant contributions to the BigData@Geo project and EFRE regional development initiatives. Collaborations include academic institutions, forestry operations, and agricultural cooperatives across Franconia. Recent publications focus on soil moisture modeling (2018–2024), climate change adaptation in agriculture (2023), and archaeopedological studies at Bullenheimer Berg. He has co-authored works with experts in geoscience, data science, and climate research. Dr. Krause leads fieldwork operations and data calibration efforts, with technical expertise in sensor networks and environmental data analysis . Current projects examine forest climate mitigation pathways funded by the BMBF and EU regional development funds.

• Soil Geography
• Geomorphology
• Natural Hazards
• +3 more

Dr. Svetlana Khamnueva-Wendt serves as a Researcher at the Institute for Ecosystem Research, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, specializing in geoarchaeology and soil science. Her work investigates human-environment interactions during the Holocene, pedogenesis in anthropogenic contexts, and soil memory applications for paleoenvironmental reconstruction through geo- and pedoarchives. Education: PhD in Environmental Science (2017), CAU Kiel: Thesis on landscape development and soil transformation in Viking settlement Hedeby MSc in Environmental Management (2012), CAU Kiel: Thesis on grain size distribution as cultural landscape indicator at Neolithic burial mound Königsgrab Diploma in Soil Science (2009), Lomonosov Moscow State University: Thesis on electrolytes concentration effects in Western Siberian oil field soils Research Focus: Integrates soil micromorphology and quantitative morphometric analysis to study anthropogenic soil formation in archaeological contexts. Key methodologies include colluvial deposit analysis and land surface memory detection to reconstruct prehistoric land use impacts across European and Pacific sites. Publication Trends: Research spans Viking Age settlements (Hedeby), Mediterranean archaeology (Tiryns), and Pacific sites (Easter Island), consistently addressing human-induced soil transformation through multi-proxy approaches. Dominant themes include colluvial deposit classification, soil memory applications, and Holocene landscape evolution at Neolithic earthworks. Current Role: As core member of the Geoarchaeology and Environmental Risks team, she conducts field investigations and laboratory analyses on archaeological sites across Germany, Greece, and Easter Island, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams at institutions including University of Tübingen and German Archaeological Institute.

• Soil Science
• Geoarchaeology
• Environmental Archaeology
• +3 more

Scott Diuguid McLin is a doctoral researcher at the University of Tübingen , affiliated with the Faculty of Science and the Department of Geosciences . He is currently working on the ERC REVIVE project, focusing on geoarchaeology and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Educational Background: Doctoral candidate in Geoarchaeology (University of Tübingen, 2022–Present) M.Sc. in Quaternary Sciences & Geoarchaeology (University of Cologne, 2021) B.Sc. in Earth Sciences (University of Freiburg, 2017) McLin’s research centers on human-environment interactions, landscape evolution, and site formation processes. He employs isotopic studies, micromorphological techniques, µXRF, and SEM to analyze sedimentary processes and integrates these with computational models to understand past environmental dynamics and human responses. His work includes studies on Upper Paleolithic sites in Southeastern Europe and western Romanian karst landscapes. McLin is supervised by Dr. Sireen El-Zaatari and Dr. Christopher Miller. He is based in the Palaeoanthropology work group of the Institute for Archaeological Sciences (Room 501, Hauptgebäude, 2nd floor).

• Geoarchaeology
• Human-Environment Interactions
• Landscape Evolution
• +3 more

Dr. Julia Meister is a Junior Professor for Geoarchaeology and Quaternary Research at the University of Würzburg , affiliated with the Institute of Geography and Geology . She is currently on leave (10/2024–09/2025) while holding an Acting Chair at the University of Bamberg. Her research integrates human-environment relations , paleoenvironmental reconstruction , and geomorphological analysis to study ancient water management systems, agricultural strategies, and cultural landscapes across the Mediterranean , Nile Delta , Peruvian Andes , and Southern Asia . Research Themes : Geoarchaeology of sacred landscapes Phytolith-based environmental proxies Terrace agriculture in drylands Climate-human interactions in antiquity Multi-hazard risk assessment Publication Trends (15 most recent): Focus on integrating geoarchaeological methods (e.g., ERT, drone LiDAR, phytolith analysis) with human-environment systems across Egypt, the Andes, and the Mediterranean. Key subfields include ancient water management , pedo-geomorphological land use , cultural soil erosion , and remote sensing applications in archaeological contexts. Scientific Awards : 2023 Wissenschaftspreis für Physische Geographie (Prof. Dr. Frithjof Voss-Stiftung) 2022 Postdoc-Preis der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geomorphologie (DGGM) 2017 Dissertationspreis (Freie Universität Berlin) 2014 Young Scientist Award (3rd International Landscape Archaeology Conference, Rome) Grants & Collaborations : Leads projects funded by the German Research Foundation (ME 5450/4-3), Free State of Bavaria (ERDF), and Humboldt Foundation . Collaborates with institutions including the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut , University of Kashmir , and University of Bonn . Her Phytolith Laboratory at Würzburg advances microfossil analysis for reconstructing ancient ecosystems, and she co-organizes international workshops like Geoarchaeology of the Nile Delta (2019).

• Geoarchaeology
• Human-Environment Relations
• Quaternary Research
• +7 more

Dr. Christian Leipe is a Researcher at the Institute of Geological Sciences (Paleontology Section) at Freie Universität Berlin. His research focuses on reconstructing past climate and vegetation dynamics in Monsoon Asia using pollen-based numerical methods, particularly investigating the Asian monsoon system's spatiotemporal variability and its interactions with early human societies. He has held positions at institutions including the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology (Jena) and Nagoya University (Japan), contributing to projects like the DFG-funded studies on Hokkaido's Jomon culture and Himalayan climate research. His research spans paleoenvironmental analyses, archaeological site correlations, and human-environment interactions, with notable work on Holocene climate reconstructions in Taiwan, Japan, and Siberia. Leipe has collaborated internationally, publishing extensively on topics such as wheat domestication in China, barley use in Okhotsk cultures, and climate impacts on prehistoric settlements. His recent work includes high-resolution studies of Lake Shira sediments and the domestication of Prunus species. He teaches micropaleontology, biostratigraphy, and applied palynology at the university level. Leipe's fieldwork includes expeditions to Hokkaido, Borneo, and Inner Asia, with active engagement in paleoenvironmental data synthesis for archaeological contexts. He has authored a doctoral thesis and contributed to educational materials on East Asian archaeology. Current projects emphasize interdisciplinary approaches linking environmental data with cultural developments in South and East Asia.

• Paleoclimatology
• Paleoecology
• Quaternary Science
• +3 more

Dr. Nicole Taylor is a post-doctoral researcher and research assistant at the Institute of Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel. She serves as Scientific Coordinator at the Collaborative Research Center 1266 (CRC 1266) 'Scales of Transformation' and is affiliated with the Graduate School 'Human Development in Landscapes' and the Johanna-Mestorf-Academy. Her academic journey includes a PhD from a Marie-Curie project, an MA from University College London, and a BA from the University of Cambridge. PhD: Early Stage Researcher, EU/Marie-Curie Project 'Forging Identities: the mobility of culture in Bronze Age Europe' MA: Field Archaeology, Institute of Archaeology, University College London BA: Archaeology and Anthropology, Jesus College, University of Cambridge Her research focuses on the European Bronze Age, with specific interests in identity, mobility, burial practices (especially cremation cemeteries), and socio-environmental dynamics. She integrates archaeological theory, stable isotope analysis, geoarchaeological methods, and interdisciplinary approaches, including collaborations with linguistics. Her fieldwork is prominently linked to the Kakucs-Turján site in Hungary, where she investigates settlement organization and environmental impacts. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in interdisciplinary and theory-driven archaeology, with emphasis on connectivity, food systems, environmental change, and identity. She has co-edited major conference proceedings and contributed to journals such as the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. Connecting linguistics and archaeology in identity studies Geoarchaeological analysis of fortified settlements Subsistence strategies in Bronze Age Europe Environmental impact and palynological studies Theoretical reflections on archaeological interpretation Role of fortifications in ancient connectivity Dr. Taylor has held roles as a lecturer for prehistory and has been actively involved in academic coordination and editorial work. She has not received explicitly mentioned scientific awards but maintains a robust publication record. Her work is supported through collaborative research grants, particularly within CRC 1266, and she contributes to international research teams focusing on Bronze Age Europe. She is a member of a Polish-Hungarian-German research team conducting fieldwork in Central Hungary. Dr. Taylor is actively engaged in research teams focused on the Kakucs-Turján site and broader Bronze Age dynamics within the Carpathian Basin. She collaborates with specialists in soil science, palynology, geochemistry, and archaeobotany, contributing to interdisciplinary projects such as 'Scales of Transformation' and 'Human Development in Landscapes'.

• European Bronze Age
• Archaeology of Identity
• Archaeology of Burials
• +12 more

PD Dr. Thomas Saile is a Research Fellow and curator of the teaching collection at the University of Regensburg. His academic journey includes a Magister (1990) and PhD (1995) from the University of Frankfurt am Main, followed by a habilitation at the University of Göttingen (2006). His core research explores: Neolithic Europe – cultural transitions and settlement patterns Early Historical Archaeology – Slavic and Germanic developments Prehistoric Salt – trade networks and socioeconomic impact Settlement & Landscape Archaeology – integrated geomagnetic and geoarchaeological approaches Publications (1998–2007) demonstrate methodological rigor in geophysical prospection, soil analysis, and spatial modeling, consistently focusing on Central European prehistory with emphasis on anthropogenic landscape transformation. No awards, students, or grant activities are documented in the available information.

• Neolithic Europe
• Early Historical Archaeology
• Prehistoric Salt
• +2 more

Diana Marcazzan is a postdoctoral researcher in the Geoarchaeology work group within the Department of Geosciences at the Faculty of Science, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. Her office is located at Hölderlinstraße 12, 72074 Tübingen (Office: 519). Her educational background includes: PhD in Archaeological Science (2019-2022) at Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, supervised by Prof. Dr. Nicholas J. Conard & Prof. Dr. Christopher E. Miller. Dissertation: Fire and beyond: a geoarchaeological analysis of the anthropogenic features from Fumane Cave (NE Italy) and Hohle Fels (SW Germany) M.A. in Quaternary, Prehistory and Archaeology (2016-2018) at the University of Ferrara, supervised by Prof. Marco Peresani & Prof. Dr. Christopher E. Miller B.A. in Cultural Heritage (2013-2016) at the University of Verona, supervised by Prof. Marco Peresani Marcazzan specializes in the microcontextual analysis of fire use by hunter-gatherer groups through geoarchaeological techniques including soil and sediment micromorphology, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (Micro XRF), organic petrology, and phytolith analysis. Her research primarily focuses on diachronic analysis of anthropogenic features from Middle and Upper Paleolithic deposits, with particular attention to site formation processes and human-environmental interaction. Her work bridges archaeological science with natural science methodologies to reconstruct past human behaviors. Her recent publications demonstrate expertise in analyzing Paleolithic cave sites in Germany and Italy, developing methodological frameworks for geoarchaeological analysis, and investigating fire use patterns. These works span archaeological science, anthropology, and methodological innovation in the field. Marcazzan is actively engaged in research within the Geoarchaeology work group at Tübingen, contributing to the department's focus on natural science applications in archaeological contexts. Her work represents an interdisciplinary approach combining geological methods with archaeological interpretation to understand human prehistory.

• Geoarchaeology
• Fire use analysis
• Paleolithic archaeology
• +4 more