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Elisa Roßberger is an Assistant Professor with tenure track for Explorative Visual Archaeology of the Ancient Near East at the Free University of Berlin since October 2022. Previously, she held a similar position for Digital Humanities for Near Eastern Archaeology and Assyriology at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (2021-2022). Her academic journey includes post-doctoral positions at LMU München's Graduate School Distant Worlds and Centre for Advanced Studies. Dr. Roßberger's educational background includes: PhD in Near Eastern Archaeology from Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen (2010, summa cum laude), published as "Schmuck für Lebende und Tote" (2015) Graduate studies as a scholarship recipient of the DFG Graduate College "Forms of Prestige in Ancient Cultures" at LMU München (2006-2009) Studies in Near Eastern Archaeology, Political Science (International Relations), and Assyriology in Munich, Beirut, and Tübingen (2000-2006) Her research focuses on the archaeology of Iraq, Syria, and the Levant during the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE, with particular emphasis on visual culture, multimodality, and digital approaches to ancient studies. She has conducted extensive fieldwork since 2000 at archaeological sites including Ba'ja (Jordan), Gerçin Höyük (Turkey), Tell Burak (Lebanon), Emar and Qatna (Syria), Tilla Bulak (Uzbekistan), and Ur (Iraq). Dr. Roßberger's scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with visual representation in ancient societies, particularly examining cylinder seals, terracotta figurines, and Babylonian imagery. Her work bridges traditional archaeological analysis with innovative digital methodologies, creating new approaches to understanding ancient material culture through multimodal analysis. Her major research projects include: Co-leading the interdisciplinary long-term project "KIŠIB. Digital Corpus of Ancient West Asian Seals and Sealings" since 2025 Leading the BMBF eHeritage project "Annotated Corpus of Ancient West Asian Imagery: Cylinder Seals" (ACAWAI-CS, 2020-2023) Leading the BMBF eHeritage project "Concept for Digitization of Ancient Near Eastern Cylinder and Stamp Seals" (DigANES, 2017-2018) Dr. Roßberger is actively involved in academic communities: Member of the DFG Network "Archaeological Image Research: Limitations and Transgressions of Images" since 2025 Co-Chair of the NFDI4Objects Community Clusters "Objects as Information Carriers" since 2024 Editorial board member for "Visual Culture of Ancient Western and Central Asia" (Palgrave Macmillan) Co-organizer of multiple international conferences on ancient Near Eastern temple inventories and digital perspectives on seals and sealings

• Near Eastern Archaeology
• Visual Archaeology
• Digital Humanities
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Frank Kammerzell is a Professor at the Department of Archaeology and Cultural History of Northeast Africa within Humboldt University of Berlin since May 2003. His academic career includes habilitation at the University of Göttingen (1999) and extensive research collaborations with Hebrew University of Jerusalem and University of Vienna. His educational background encompasses Medieval and Modern History (major 1980), Egyptology (major), Coptic Studies, General and Indo-European Linguistics, and Assyriology. He earned his Dr. phil. from Göttingen with a dissertation on 'Studies on the Language and History of the Carians in Egypt' (1990) and completed habilitation with 'Language contact and language change in ancient Egypt' (1999). Kammerzell's research spans Egyptian phonology, morphology, syntax, lexis, language history, diachronic typology, language contact, writing systems, and Carian history in Egypt. His work integrates linguistic analysis with archaeological contexts, examining language evolution through contact and typological shifts. Notable projects include studies on Egyptian-Akkadian typological developments and classifiers in ancient Egypt. His publications since 2000 demonstrate sustained focus on Egyptian linguistic structures, writing systems, and cross-linguistic influences. Key themes include verb classifiers, glossing rules for Ancient Egyptian, and lexical semantics-pragmatics interfaces, bridging Egyptology with broader linguistic theory. Graduate Scholarship from the State of Lower Saxony (Doctoral Scholarship) 1987-1989 Kammerzell has led significant research projects funded by the DFG, Fritz Thyssen Foundation, and Volkswagen Foundation. His collaborative work with institutions in Jerusalem and Göttingen highlights international partnerships. While specific advisees aren't listed, his editorial roles suggest mentorship in academic publishing. He co-founded research groups on multilingualism and script systems, contributing to journals like Lingua Aegyptia and Ägypten und Levante , underscoring team-based archaeological-linguistic research.

• Phonology
• Morphology
• Syntax
• +8 more

Dr. Josephine Fechner is a researcher at the University of Göttingen's Seminar for Ancient Near Eastern Studies, specializing in Mesopotamian mythology, proverbial literature, and ritual practices. As coordinator of the DFG Research Group 2064 STRATA, she focuses on transmedial comparative analysis of underworld narratives and mythological demonology. Her work bridges textual studies with iconographic analysis, particularly examining the Apkallū figures and Dumuzi myth cycles. Research Focus: Mesopotamian mythological traditions, Akkadian/Sumerian proverbs, ritual hermeneutics Current Projects: Edition of Lamentations on Netherworld Demons; Analysis of the 7 Sages tradition Academic Affiliation: University of Göttingen (Faculty of Humanities) Her recent publications explore intertextuality in underworld myths, transformative ritual language, and human-animal encounters in proverbial texts. She actively contributes to international conferences including Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale and SOAS Cuneiforum, while teaching advanced seminars on Mesopotamian wisdom literature and comparative mythology.

• Mesopotamian Mythology
• Sumero-Akkadian Proverbial Literature
• Transmedial Narrative Analysis
• +5 more

Wiebke Meinhold is a Professor of Ancient Near Eastern Philology at the University of Tübingen's Faculty of Humanities. Her career spans key roles in Assyriology, including scientific collaborations at institutions like the University of Geneva and Heidelberg Academy of Sciences. Education: MA in Assyriology, Semitic Studies, and Greek from Heidelberg and Leiden (2001) Doctorate: University of Leipzig (2006) Research focuses on cultural and religious history of the Ancient Near East, with specific attention to Mesopotamian deities, legal traditions, and social structures. Her work includes analysis of cuneiform legal texts from Nippur and studies on temple economies. Recent publications emphasize inheritance practices across Old Babylonian cities and the socio-economic role of prebends. She contributes to academic discourse through editorial work and participation in international conferences. Organizations: Member of Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft (DOG) and International Association for Assyriology (IAA) In university governance, she holds leadership roles as Executive Director of the Institute for Ancient Near Eastern Cultures (2021-2023, 2025+) and Equality Commissioner in the Faculty of Humanities (2025+).

• Cultural History of the Ancient Near East
• Religious History of the Ancient Near East
• Mesopotamian Deities
• +1 more

Dr. Andreas Fuchs is an außerplanmäßiger Professor (Extraordinary Professor) at the Institute of Ancient Near Eastern Studies within the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Tübingen, Germany. He has held this position since 2004, following his habilitation in Cultural Sciences at the University of Tübingen in 2004. His academic career includes previous positions as a scientific assistant at the University of Tübingen (1999-2004) and at Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena (1994-1998). His educational background includes: Studies in Assyriology, Arabic, and Ethnology at Georg-August-University Göttingen (starting 1980) PhD in 1993 Habilitation at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, University of Tübingen (2004) Professor Fuchs specializes in the Neo-Assyrian Period of Ancient Near Eastern history, with research focusing on royal inscriptions and letters, cultural history, historical topography, and military history of Ancient Western Asia. His work bridges philological analysis with historical and archaeological approaches to understand the political, military, and cultural dynamics of the Assyrian Empire. His expertise extends to the broader context of the Ancient Near East, including neighboring regions such as Anatolia, Iran, and Mesopotamia. His scholarly publications demonstrate consistent focus on military history, royal inscriptions, and political dynamics across the Neo-Assyrian period. Recent works examine communications systems in the Iron Age, the Medes and Mannea kingdoms, and the historical accuracy of Assyrian royal chronology. His research shows particular interest in how military organization, resource management, and communication systems contributed to imperial stability. He is an active member of the Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft (German Oriental Society) and participates in several major research projects, including the publication of texts from archaeological excavations at Tell Halaf (Syria) and Sirkeli-Höyök (Turkey), as well as contributing to the Collaborative Research Center "Resources" with his project on "Resource acquisition and empire building." Professor Fuchs is currently working on a comprehensive monograph on the Neo-Assyrian Empire and other scholarly works examining Assyrian dynasties and royal inscriptions.

• Ancient Near Eastern Studies
• Assyriology
• Neo-Assyrian Period
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert is currently serving as President of the Berlin University of the Arts (since April 2025). Prior to this role, he was the Executive Director and Secretary General of the Cultural Foundation of the German Federal States (2018–2025) and Director of the Museum of the Ancient Near East at the Pergamon Museum (2014–2018). He held a professorship in Ancient Near Eastern Studies at Heidelberg University (2007–2014) and has been an honorary professor at Heidelberg, Marburg, and Freie Universität Berlin since 2014, 2015, and 2017 respectively. Additionally, he has served on the board of the German Commission for UNESCO since 2018. Research Interests : Hilgert's work bridges Ancient Near Eastern Studies , Cuneiform Studies , and Epistemology , focusing on the materiality of writing, cultural heritage, and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding ancient knowledge systems. He explores the intersection of objects, science, and politics, particularly in museum contexts and cultural property management. Publication Trends : His scholarly output spans the analysis of Ur III administrative texts, theoretical frameworks for material culture, and critical reflections on museum practices. Key themes include epistemology of ancient writing , cultural heritage responsibilities , and interdisciplinary methodologies .

• Ancient Near Eastern Studies
• Assyriology
• Cuneiform Studies
• +5 more

Cécile Michel is a renowned Assyriologist holding dual roles as a Senior Researcher at CNRS (France) and Professor at Universität Hamburg (Germany). She specializes in the history of Upper Mesopotamia and Anatolia during the second millennium BCE, focusing on private archives, literacy, material culture, and ethical research practices. Her work integrates interdisciplinary approaches, particularly in analyzing cuneiform tablets and ancient textiles. Michel leads the 'Ethics' working group within the Cluster of Excellence ‘Understanding Written Artefacts’ (UWA) at Hamburg and coordinates international projects like the RFA09 (CT scanning sealed tablets) and RFE04 (Assyrian manuscript culture). Education details are not explicitly provided, but her career highlights include: Doctor honoris causa from Copenhagen University (2017) and Hamburg University (2023) President of the International Association for Assyriology (2014–2018) Scientific delegate at CNRS's Scientific Integrity Mission Recipient of the Knight of the Legion of Honor (2019) Her research interests span: Materiality of cuneiform tablets and digital preservation Gender roles in ancient societies Archival literacy and education Textile archaeology and trade networks Her documentaries, such as Thus speaks Taram-Kubi (2016) and Cuneiform script: writing and calculating (2017), have garnered international acclaim. She actively promotes ethical practices in archaeology and cultural heritage preservation, including work on safeguarding manuscripts from Timbuktu and Nepal. Key grants and projects include leadership roles in the SFB 950 ‘Manuscript Cultures’ (2011–2020) and Cluster of Excellence UWA (2019–2025). Her research teams collaborate globally, integrating archaeology, digital humanities, and experimental archaeology to decode ancient texts and artifacts.

• Assyriology
• Ancient Mesopotamian History
• Literacy and Education in Antiquity
• +5 more

Angelika Berlejung is Professor of Old Testament Studies with a focus on the History and Religious History of Israel and its Environment at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Leipzig, Germany, a position she has held since November 2007. She also serves as Co-Director of multiple archaeological projects including the excavation at Tell el-Badawija/Hannathon (2023-2030), Ashdod-Yam, and Qubur al-Walaydah, and as Co-Director of the Minerva Center for Research on Israel and Aram in Biblical Times with Professor Aren Maeir of Bar Ilan University. Dr. Berlejung received her education at the Universities of Heidelberg and Munich, studying Protestant Theology (1980-1984) followed by Assyriology and Semitic Studies (1985-1988). She completed her doctorate in Heidelberg in 1997 under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Manfred Weippert and Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Mathys, with the Assyriological portion supervised by Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Deller. Her doctoral work was recognized with the Ruprecht-Karls-Prize of the University of Heidelberg for outstanding scientific achievements. Professor Berlejung's research spans multiple interconnected fields within biblical and ancient Near Eastern studies. Her work focuses on the material culture of ancient Israel and its environment, with particular attention to votive offerings, amulets, and ritual objects as sources for social and religious history. She has pioneered research on West Semitic text amulets from the first millennium BCE to the rise of Islam, examining the intersection of materiality and scribal practices. Her archaeological work at various sites in Israel provides crucial context for understanding the historical and cultural settings of biblical texts. Berlejung also contributes significantly to gender studies in ancient contexts, particularly examining representations of women and foreignness in biblical literature. Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the material dimensions of ancient religious practice, with increasing attention to the intersection of text and material culture. The trend in her work shows movement from textual analysis of biblical literature toward interdisciplinary approaches that integrate archaeological evidence, material culture studies, and textual analysis to reconstruct ancient religious practices and social dynamics. Ruprecht-Karls-Prize of the University of Heidelberg for outstanding scientific achievements in her dissertation (1998) Opus Magnum Project "Weihegaben" funded by the Volkswagen Foundation (2021) Professor Berlejung has been principal investigator or co-investigator on numerous significant research grants, including the GIF project "Between Materiality and Scribal Magic" (2018-present), the DFG-funded SFB 586 project on "Space and Mobility in Syro-Palestine during the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian Empires" (2009-2012), and the Volkswagen Foundation's Opus Magnum project on votive offerings from Palestine-Israel as sources for social and religious history. She has also served as co-applicant and co-supervisor for the Graduate College "Religious Nonconformism and Cultural Dynamics" in Leipzig. Her international collaborations include the Minerva Center RIAB (since 2015) and the excavation project at Tell el-Badawija/Hannathon with Ben Gurion University of Negev. Berlejung leads the research unit "Geschichte und Religion Israels und seiner Umwelt" (History and Religion of Israel and its Environment) at the University of Leipzig, which conducts interdisciplinary research combining textual analysis, archaeology, and material culture studies. She co-directs multiple excavation projects in Israel including Qubur al-Walaydah, Ashdod-Yam, and Tell el-Badawija/Hannathon. Her team also manages the "Encyclopedia of Material Culture in the Biblical World (EBW)" project, which has been ongoing since 2010, creating a comprehensive reference work on material culture related to biblical studies.

• Old Testament Studies
• History of Israel
• Religion of the Ancient Near East
• +5 more

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.

• History of Ancient Science
• Philosophy of Science
• Babylonian Astronomy
• +5 more

apl. Prof. Dr. Heike Sternberg-el Hotabi has served as Associate Professor (apl. Prof.) in the Department of Egyptology and Coptic Studies at the University of Göttingen since 2000. She previously held visiting positions at the University of Graz (2000-2010) and interim professorships in Basel (1999) while directing the DFG-funded Prosopographical Lexicon of Non-Royal Women of the New Kingdom (1999-2005). Education & academic milestones: 1974-1978: Undergraduate studies in Egyptology, Coptology and Assyriology, Göttingen & Tübingen 1980: M.A. Göttingen 1983: Ph.D. Tübingen 1995: Habilitation, Göttingen Research focus: Her work concentrates on Egyptian religion of the 1st millennium BCE, especially temple texts and decorative programs of the Greco-Roman period, Horus stelae, gender-specific prosopography, and cultural contacts under Persian rule. She combines philological analysis of hieroglyphic, Demotic and Coptic sources with broader questions of religious history and syncretism. Publication profile: Across five monographs and c. seventy articles she has treated royal annals, funerary religion, divine kingship, and the transformation of script and myth in Late Antique Egypt. Recent papers continue her long-term editorial commitment to the Göttinger Miszellen and the TUAT series, illustrating an enduring interest in editing and contextualising primary sources. Editorial & collaborative roles: Co-editor, Texte aus der Umwelt des Alten Testaments (Egyptology section), 1980-2000 Co-editor, TUAT.NF , since 2001 Editorial board, Göttinger Miszellen , since 2004 Member, Graduate School 896 “Images of Gods – Images of God – Worldviews” Advisory Board, journal Abgadiyat , Bibliotheca Alexandrina She currently advises from her office at Heinrich-Düker-Weg 14, 37073 Göttingen, and can be contacted at hsternb@uni-goettingen.de .

• Egyptian religion of the Greco-Roman period
• Women's studies in ancient Egypt
• Horus stelae
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Nils P. Heeßel is a University Professor at the Department of Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Philipps University of Marburg. His research focuses on Babylonian-Assyrian culture, divination practices, Mesopotamian medicine, and demonology. He serves as the Speaker of the DFG Graduate College 2844 "Inszenierung religiöser Atmosphäre in antiken Kulturen" (2023–2024) and has held leadership roles at the Marburg Centre for Ancient World Studies and the Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (2022–2024). He has published extensively on cuneiform medical texts, astrological omens, and Assyrian scribal culture. His recent editorial work includes co-editing Legitimising Magic (2023) and kullat ṭupšarrūti (2023). His academic affiliations span organizations like the Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft and the International Association of Assyriology.

• Assyriology
• Ancient Near Eastern Studies
• Divination
• +3 more

Adam Howe is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Center for Near and Middle Eastern Studies (CNMS), Philipps University of Marburg. His primary research focuses on ritual and medical texts from the 1st millennium BC, particularly exploring concepts of sin and divine punishment in exorcistic texts, social-historical and literary-theoretical perspectives on ritual and medicine, and symbolic language in Mesopotamian exorcisms. Education DPhil in Oriental Studies (2017–2021), University of Oxford MPhil in Cuneiform Studies (2015–2017), University of Oxford BA(Hons) in Classics (2012–2015), Durham University Howe’s research integrates interdisciplinary approaches, combining religious studies, literary theory, and medical history to analyze Mesopotamian texts. His work examines the intersection of bodily symptoms (e.g., abdominal distress) and theological interpretations of divine anger, as well as the socio-political dimensions of ritual practices in the "House of the Exorcist" at Assur. Publications highlight his expertise in metaphor analysis and comparative studies across Eastern and Western ancient traditions. Scientific Awards Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung Theodor Heuss Stipendium (2019–2021) Howe has led research projects, including the Tübitak 2236 Co-Funded Brain Circulation Scheme 2 at Istanbul University (2022–2023), and has held teaching roles at the University of Cambridge (2021–2022). His affiliations include the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (2019–2021) and the University of Cambridge (2021–2022).

• Ancient Near Eastern Studies
• Assyriology
• Ritual Studies
• +3 more

Catherine Mittermayer is a PartTime Lecturer in the Department of Assyriology, focusing on ancient Mesopotamian languages and cultures. Her research spans key subfields such as cuneiform epigraphy, Babylonian and Assyrian empires, and socio-political history of the Ancient Near East. Email: catherine@mittermayer.ch

• Assyriology
• Cuneiform Studies
• Ancient Near East
• +3 more

Johannes Hackl serves as Professor of Ancient Near Eastern Studies at the University of Jena's Institute for Oriental, Indo-European Studies & Prehistoric and Early History Archaeology since December 2021. Previously, he held academic positions at the University of Leipzig (2015-2021) and University of Vienna (2006-2013), culminating in his habilitation with venia legendi from Leipzig in 2021. His research centers on the linguistic evolution of Akkadian during the first millennium BCE, particularly examining language contact with Aramaic and the socio-economic contexts of Babylonian legal documentation. Specializing in charter studies, seal analysis, epigraphy, and paleography, Hackl investigates Babylonian economic, social, and legal history during the late Achaemenid and Hellenistic periods through cuneiform archives. His publication portfolio demonstrates expertise in Late Babylonian textual analysis, with significant contributions to understanding administrative practices, temple economies, and linguistic transitions. Recent work includes editorial leadership on the Achaemenid History series and critical editions of Babylonian legal texts. International Association for Assyriology Prize for Best First Assyriological Article Written after PhD (2017) Hackl directs the Chair of Ancient Near Eastern Studies at Jena, supervising research on Babylonian cuneiform documentation and linguistic history. His current projects include analyzing the Professor Hilprecht Collection of Babylonian Antiquities and investigating scribal practices in Hellenistic Babylonia through archival materials. He regularly presents at international conferences on topics including diplomatics, sealing practices, and multi-ethnic societies in ancient empires. Hackl maintains active research collaborations across European institutions, frequently working with scholars like M. Jursa and J. Oelsner on Babylonian economic history and textual analysis. His work bridges linguistic, historical, and archaeological methodologies to reconstruct Babylonian societal structures during imperial transitions.

• Akkadian Linguistics
• Ancient Near Eastern History
• Cuneiform Studies
• +5 more

Rosel Pientka-Hinz is an Associate Professor of Ancient Near Eastern Studies at the Center for Religious Studies (CERES) at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany. She holds adjunct professorships and has held visiting roles at institutions like the University of Vienna and Philipps University Marburg. Her research focuses on the cultural and religious history of the Ancient Near East, particularly exploring animal symbolism, architectural knowledge, color semiotics, and textual traditions from the 2nd millennium BCE. Education: Studied Assyriology and Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology at the Universities of Münster and Marburg. Earned her PhD with a thesis on the Old Babylonian Period and completed a habilitation on scorpion symbolism in Ancient Near Eastern literature. Research interests include ritual practices, environmental interactions, and the intersection of mythological narratives with historical contexts. Her work bridges textual analysis (Akkadian/Sumerian) with interdisciplinary approaches, such as zooarchaeology and comparative religion. Recent projects investigate cross-cultural contacts between Iran and Mesopotamia, serpent cults, and aquatic symbolism. Leadership roles include Principal Investigator of CRC 1475 'Metaphors of Religion' and Project Leader of Subproject C02. She actively engages in academic outreach, presenting at international workshops and contributing to public exhibitions on light/color symbolism and ancient religious practices. Labs/Teams: Integral member of CERES Research Department and affiliated with the Käte Hamburger Kolleg. Her research integrates archaeological findings, philological analysis, and cultural theory to reinterpret ancient religious phenomena.

• Ancient Near Eastern Studies
• Cultural History
• Religious History
• +4 more