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Alexander JonesView profile

Professor

• History of Science
• Ancient Astronomy
• History of Mathematics
• +3 more

Alexander Jones is a Professor of the History of the Exact Sciences in Antiquity at New York University's Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW). He holds a Classics degree from the University of British Columbia and a PhD in the history of ancient mathematical sciences from Brown University. Previously, he served for sixteen years at the University of Toronto in the Classics Department and the Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology. His research focuses on the history and transmission of mathematical and astronomical knowledge across ancient cultures, with particular emphasis on Babylonian, Greek, and Roman contexts. Key areas include the Antikythera Mechanism, Ptolemaic astronomy, and the cultural exchanges between Mesopotamia and the Greco-Roman world. He has curated major exhibitions such as Before Pythagoras (2011) and Time and Cosmos in Greco-Roman Antiquity (2016-17). Education: B.A. Classics, University of British Columbia PhD History of Mathematical Sciences, Brown University His publications include groundbreaking editions of ancient scientific texts, such as Pappus of Alexandria's commentary on geometrical methods and fragments from the Oxyrhynchus papyri. His current research involves reconstructing ancient Babylonian chronology through the NEH-funded Shanati project. Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship Francis Bacon Award in the History of Science Membership in the Académie Internationale d'Histoire des Sciences As Principal Investigator of the Shanati project, he leads efforts to synchronize Babylonian calendars with the Julian calendar. His work bridges material culture and textual analysis, often involving interdisciplinary collaboration with archaeologists and historians of technology.

• History of Ancient Science
• Philosophy of Science
• Babylonian Astronomy
• +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 Mathematics
• Ancient Science
• Classical Studies
• +3 more

Professor Serafina Cuomo is a faculty member at the University of Durham, specializing in the history of science and mathematics in Greco-Roman antiquity. Her research focuses on the social, cultural, and intellectual contexts of scientific practices in ancient societies. Key areas of interest include mathematical traditions, technical knowledge transmission, and the role of incentives in fostering scientific activity across ancient Greece and Rome. PhD in Ancient History (implied by academic rank) Her work bridges classical studies with the history of science, examining how mathematical concepts were applied and transmitted through case studies, architectural treatises like Vitruvius' writings, and the material culture of technical practices. Recent publications explore the analemma device in Roman engineering, tacit knowledge in architectural texts, and comparative mathematical traditions between Greece and Rome. Her research highlights intersections between epistemic practices and societal structures, analyzing how technical expertise was rewarded, institutionalized, and embedded within ancient political and economic frameworks.