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Jan Assmann (1938–2024) was a renowned Egyptologist and cultural theorist, serving as Professor of Egyptology at the University of Heidelberg (1976–2003) and later as Honorary Professor at the University of Konstanz. He held visiting professorships worldwide, including at Yale, Collège de France, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His research focused on Egyptian religion, cultural memory, and the origins of monotheism. He led the DFG-funded 'Ramesside Officials' Graves' project in Thebes, producing foundational work on Egyptian funerary practices and religious texts. He authored over 50 monographs and 600 essays, earning international acclaim and numerous awards, including the Balzan Prize (2017) and the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade (2018). His academic legacy includes shaping Heidelberg's Egyptology program and mentoring future leaders in the field. Education: Studied Egyptology, Classical Archaeology, and Greek Studies at Munich, Heidelberg, Paris, and Göttingen. Habilitated in 1971. Key Projects: Epigraphic fieldwork in Theban necropolis; cultural memory studies with wife Aleida Assmann. Research Interests: Egyptian theology, cosmography, Ma’at, funerary liturgies, and the reception of ancient Egypt in later cultures. His work bridged Egyptology with broader cultural theory, influencing disciplines beyond archaeology. Awards & Honors: Recipient of Germany's highest civilian honors, including the Grand Cross of the Federal Cross of Merit, and international accolades for interdisciplinary scholarship. Legacy: Focused on fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and practical fieldwork education. His teachings emphasized connecting textual analysis with archaeological context, inspiring generations of scholars. The Heidelberg Institute continues his tradition of integrating field archaeology with philological rigor.

• Egyptian religion
• Origins of monotheism
• Judaism
• +6 more

Michael Cook is the Class of 1943 University Professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University. Previously, he held positions at SOAS (University of London), including Lecturer in Economic History and Reader in the History of the Near and Middle East. His research focuses on Islamic history, theology, and the intersection of religious values with political movements. Cook has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Balzan Prize (2019) and the Holberg Prize (2014). He has supervised over thirty doctoral students in diverse fields of Islamic and Near Eastern studies. Education: Studied at the University of Cambridge (English and European history) and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, where he specialized in Ottoman population history. His academic journey includes extensive research on pre-Islamic Arabia, Quranic studies, and medieval Islamic law and ethics. Research Interests: His work spans Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties, Islamic theology, the Prophet Muhammad’s life, Wahhabism, and comparative religious fundamentalism. He explores how religious values shaped Islamic civilization, notably through studies of al-amr bi’l-ma'ruf (enjoining right and forbidding wrong). Awards and Honors: In addition to major prizes, he holds honorary doctorates, fellowship at the British Academy, and membership in the American Philosophical Society and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His contributions have been acknowledged through awards like the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Mellon Foundation. Teaching and Advising: Cook teaches graduate and undergraduate courses centered on Arabic texts and primary sources. His advising has produced notable scholars across Islamic studies, including work on medieval legal systems, sectarian identities, and cultural histories.

• Islamic History
• Medieval Studies
• Islamic Theology and Law
• +5 more

Jürgen Hammerstaedt is a Professor of Classical Philology and Papyrology at the University of Cologne's Institut für Altertumskunde since 2004. Previously, he held the Chair of Classical Philology (Greek) at Friedrich Schiller University Jena (2000-2004) and served as Substitute Professor of Latin at Universität Potsdam. His academic journey includes a doctorate (1988) and habilitation (1999) from Cologne University, with research stints at institutions like the Centro Internazionale per lo Studio dei Papiri Ercolanesi and Oxford's St John's College. Research focuses on literary papyri, ancient patristic literature, and Christian papyri, with expertise in ancient philosophy and epigraphy. Key works include studies on Diogenes of Oinoanda's Epicurean inscriptions and Apuleius' De Magia. He is a leading figure in papyrology, holding roles such as Director of the Arbeitsstelle für Papyrologie in Cologne and Vice-President of the Mommsen-Gesellschaft. Elected Ordinary Member of Northrhine-Westfalian Academy of Sciences (since 2010) Speaker (Sekretar) of the Class for Letters since 2018 Leadership roles include presidencies in the Mommsen-Gesellschaft, the Northrhine-Westfalian Academy, and international papyrology committees. His academic service spans DFG Graduate Schools, archaeological institutes, and editorial work on major reference projects like the Reallexikon für Antike und Christentum.

• Classical Philology
• Papyrology
• Ancient Philosophy
• +3 more

Paola Buzi is a Full Professor of Egyptology and Coptic Studies at Sapienza Università di Roma since February 1, 2017. She previously served as an Assistant Professor at the same institution from November 2010 to January 2017 and held research positions at the Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen-Universität Hamburg (2010) and Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna (2004–2009). MA in Coptic Language and Literature, Sapienza Università di Roma (1995) PhD in Coptic Literature, Sapienza Università di Roma (2002) on 'Titles and Authors in the Coptic Literature' Her research integrates Coptic codicology , manuscript traditions , and literary analysis with Egyptian archaeology and ancient religious studies . She specializes in the geographical context of Coptic texts, focusing on their production, dissemination, and storage. Notable projects include leading the Comparative Oriental Manuscript Studies project (2011–2014) and directing the Archaeological Mission in Bakchias since 2008. She is vice-director of the Italo-Egyptian Conservation Mission at the Coptic monastery of Abba Nefer in Manqabad, Asyut. ERC Advanced Grant (2016) for 'Tracking Papyrus and Parchment Paths' (PAThs) Member of the Corpus dei Manoscritti Copti Letterari (Rome, Hamburg) Active participant in excavation campaigns in Italy and Egypt

• Coptic codicology
• Coptic manuscript tradition
• Coptic literature
• +4 more

Vera Müller is a Senior Academy Scientist at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) since 2007, affiliated with the Egypt & Levant Department of the OREA Institute . She has held teaching positions at universities including Göttingen, Tübingen, and Vienna, and served as a Visiting Professor at Humboldt University Berlin in 2012–2013. Educational Background: Egyptology, University of Göttingen (PhD, 1996, summa cum laude) Prehistory and Early History, University of Freiburg Classical Archaeology, University of Vienna Physical Anthropology, University of Göttingen Research Interests: Dr. Müller specializes in early Egyptian state formation, cult practices, and material culture. Her work includes analyzing ritual relics, ceramic studies, and the significance of early writing in administration. She investigates trade dynamics between Egypt and the Levant and addresses chronology gaps in Egyptian history. Publication Trends: Her recent articles focus on Late Predynastic and Early Dynastic Egyptian burial practices, seal impressions, and ceramic analysis. Key themes include cultural exchange, chronological frameworks, and ritual deposition patterns in royal and sacred contexts. Awards & Grants: No explicit scientific awards are mentioned in the provided text. Leadership Roles: Dr. Müller served as Deputy Director (2013–2016) and Head (2014–2016) of the Institute, and since 2015 has coordinated the research group 'Tell el Daba Publications'. Labs & Teams: She collaborates with international teams on Austrian and German excavations at Tell el-Dab'a and Abydos , contributing to projects like 'Waste and Cultic Depositions' and 'Sacrificial Pit of ʿEzbet Rushdi'.

• Egyptology
• Archaeology
• Ceramic Studies
• +3 more

Gerald Moers serves as Associate Professor and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies at the University of Vienna, where he is permanently affiliated with the Department of Egyptology (Franz-Klein-Gasse 1, 1190 Wien, Room AE.37). His active teaching schedule and administrative leadership role confirm his current engagement with the institution. Professor Moers' research centers on core Egyptology disciplines including Ancient Egyptian Religion, Hieroglyphic script analysis, and Middle Egyptian Language reconstruction. His teaching portfolio demonstrates deep specialization through courses like Hieroglyphic Texts I/II, Egyptian Religion, and Middle Egyptian language instruction across multiple semesters, reflecting both foundational and advanced scholarly expertise in deciphering ancient Egyptian written records and religious systems. No scientific awards were documented in the source material. Professor Moers actively supervises academic work through his thesis seminar (SE Seminar zur Abschlussarbeit) while fulfilling significant administrative duties as Vice Dean of his faculty. His office contact details include telephone +43-1-4277-43109 and email gerald.moers@univie.ac.at.

• Egyptology
• Ancient Egyptian Religion
• Hieroglyphs
• +2 more

Gunnel Ekroth is Professor and Chair of Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Uppsala University since 2011. Previously, she held research positions at Stockholm University (2002-2010), served as Visiting Professor at Université de Paris I (2009), and completed her Docent/Habilitation at Stockholm University (2004). She maintains active leadership roles as vice-chairman of the Swedish Institute at Athens and previously served as vice-chairman of the Swedish Research Institute at Istanbul (2012-2020). Her research focuses on ancient Greek religious practices, particularly sacrificial rituals, hero cults, and sanctuary spaces. Her doctoral work demonstrated ritual similarities between hero cults and divine cults during the Archaic to Early Hellenistic periods. Subsequent research has explored meat distribution, blood handling, altar construction, and waste management in Greek sanctuaries. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in Greece and spent significant research periods at the Swedish Institute at Athens. Professor Ekroth's recent scholarship reveals a sophisticated integration of zooarchaeological evidence with traditional philological approaches, advancing our understanding of Greek sacrificial practices. Her publications demonstrate consistent engagement with theoretical frameworks while maintaining rigorous attention to archaeological context and material evidence. She has pioneered methods for interpreting ritual practices through spatial analysis of sanctuaries and material remains. Working member, Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities (2018) Royal Society of Sciences at Uppsala (2016) Editorial committee of the Swedish Institutes at Athens and Rome, chairman (2012-2020) Swedish Institute at Athens, vice-chairman (since 2015) Royal Swedish Academy award for PhD dissertation (1999) She has secured significant research funding from the Swedish Research Council and Riksbankens Jubileumsfond. Professor Ekroth has established international scholarly networks through her editorial work and leadership positions. Over the past decade, she has been invited to lecture at 16 institutions worldwide including Oxford University, University of Amsterdam, and Collège de France, demonstrating her international recognition as a leading authority in Greek religious studies.

• Anthropology of food
• Ancient Greek religion
• Greek sanctuaries
• +4 more

Naoise Mac Sweeney is a Professor in the Department of Classical Archaeology at the University of Vienna, serving as Deputy Head. Her research bridges classical archaeology with broader Mediterranean and Near Eastern studies, focusing on cultural identities, intercultural contacts, and the reception of antiquity. Current projects include the West Area of Samos Archaeological Project (WASAP) and the Lower Göksu Archaeological Salvage Survey in Turkey. Key teaching areas: Archaeology of Troy, Greek archaeology, and fieldwork methodologies. Her scholarly work examines how ancient communities navigated identity construction through material culture, settlement patterns, and mythological narratives. Recent publications analyze the Syro-Anatolian culture complex, explore regional identities in Ionia, and interrogate modern political uses of classical antiquity. While her fieldwork contributions to Bronze Age and Iron Age Anatolia are significant, she also engages critically with contemporary debates around ethnicity, colonialism, and the legacy of classical scholarship. Her 2023 monograph The West: A New History of an Old Idea challenges foundational myths of Western civilization.

• Classical Archaeology
• Ancient History
• Mediterranean Studies
• +5 more

Greenfield Haskel is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Manitoba , where he has worked since 1989. He also holds an adjunct position at Macquarie University (2021-present). As a zoarchaeologist , his work focuses on the evolution of early human societies, metallurgy, and domestication. He co-founded the Near Eastern and Biblical Archaeology Lab and coordinates the Judaic Studies Program. Education : M. Phil. and PhD from CUNY (1980, 1985) His research spans the Old World , covering Europe, the Near East, and Africa. Key contributions include understanding: Origins of food production and farming societies Domestic livestock secondary products (milk, wool, traction) Transhumant pastoralism emergence Metal technology’s societal impact Early urban provisioning systems Isotopic analysis of animal mobility Greenfield’s recent publications focus on Bronze Age butchering practices, animal domestication, and cultural continuity across Europe and the Near East. These works integrate zooarchaeology, material analysis, and isotopic studies. Scientific awards include: 2021-2024: Adjunct Professor at Macquarie University 2020: Sir Asher Joel Fellowship 2019: Magis Prize for Ingenuity and Innovation 2015: Distinguished Professor appointment 2015: Beaufort Senior Scholar in Residence 2007: NEH Fellowship 1991: Rh Institute Award With over 40 years of teaching, Greenfield has supervised dozens of postgraduate students and secured numerous grants. His lab work at the Near Eastern and Biblical Archaeology Lab has been recognized for innovation in isotopic and zooarchaeological studies.

• Evolution of food producing and farming societies
• Evolution of metallurgical technology
• Evolution of early complex and urban societies
• +7 more

Dr. Annik Wüthrich serves as a Postdoc Researcher at the Austrian Academy of Sciences' Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures since 2018, affiliated with the ERC Starting Grant project "Challenging Time(s): A New Approach to Written Sources for Ancient Egyptian Chronology". Her academic career spans multiple European institutions including the Universities of Geneva, Bonn, Tübingen, and Münster. Her educational trajectory features: Licence es lettres in Egyptology from the University of Geneva with thesis on Book of the Dead chapter 175 DEA (Diplôme d'études approfondies) completed in Paris (2001) PhD in Egyptology from the University of Geneva (2001-2007) focusing on Book of the Dead supplementary chapters 162-167 Pleyte Dr. Wüthrich's research integrates philological analysis with chronological studies of ancient Egyptian religious texts, specializing in funerary literature's evolution during the first millennium BC. Her work examines Hieratic script variations and theological developments in mortuary practices, bridging textual criticism with historical context to reconstruct Egypt's temporal frameworks. Her scientific recognition includes: Swiss National Science Foundation Fellowship for young researchers (2005) supporting research on Book of the Dead chapters 162-167 With extensive teaching experience as Lecturer and Teaching Assistant at the University of Geneva (2005-2009) and research appointments at Bonn (2009-2011) and German universities (2011-2018), she currently contributes to the ERC-funded "Challenging Time(s)" project without documented advisees. This initiative pioneers methodological innovations for interpreting ancient Egyptian chronology through interdisciplinary source analysis. She operates within the Austrian Academy of Sciences' research ecosystem, collaborating internationally on Egyptological projects while advancing chronological models through textual source reinterpretation.

• Funerary literature
• Egyptian religion
• Ancient Egyptian chronology
• +2 more

Roman Gundacker is a Senior Research Associate at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and Lecturer in Egyptology at the University of Vienna. He holds a doctorate 'sub auspiciis praesidentis rei publicae' (2009/2010) and has been active in academia since 2005. Master's (2005): University of Vienna, thesis on early Fourth Dynasty chronology Doctorate (2010): University of Vienna, dissertation on Pyramid Texts linguistic stratification His research focuses on Egyptian linguistics , lexicography , language history , and chronology . He leads the ERC Starting Grant project Challenging Time(s): A New Approach to Written Sources for Ancient Egyptian Chronology (since 2018), which evaluates historical timekeeping through textual analysis. Recent publications highlight trends in Old Kingdom royal names , Pyramid Texts analysis , and linguistic evolution from the Dreisilbengesetz to Zweisilbengesetz . His work spans historical linguistics , onomastics , and funerary literature . Scientific Awards : APART fellowship (2014–2017), Doctorate 'sub auspiciis praesidentis rei publicae'

• Egyptian linguistics
• lexicography
• language history and language contacts
• +2 more