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François BertemesView profile

Professor

• Prehistoric Archaeology
• Cultural History of Central/Southeastern Europe
• Circumpontic Region Archaeology
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. François Bertemes (b. 1958) is a full Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg's Faculty of Philosophy I, where he directs research at the Institute for Art History, Archaeology and Classical Studies (IKAKLA). His academic journey began with studies in Luxembourg and Saarland University, culminating in a PhD (1985) and habilitation (1997). Since 1999, he has held his current position, during which he served as Dean (2002-2006, 2020-2022) and Senator (2014-2019, 2022-present). Bertemes' research explores: Cultural dynamics of 3rd-2nd millennium BCE Central/Southeastern Europe Circumpontic archaeology and early urbanization Bronze Age metallurgy and social complexity Ancient ritual landscapes and communication networks Neolithic monumentality and sacred spaces His publications show consistent focus on Bronze Age societies, ritual practices, and interregional connections. Recent works analyze monumental architecture (Pömmelte sanctuary), archaeogenetic kinship studies, and violence in Neolithic contexts, employing interdisciplinary approaches combining archaeology, anthropology, and material science. Bertemes has led significant projects including: DFG Research Unit FOR550 'Der Aufbruch zu neuen Horizonten' (2004-2012) Excavations at Tavşan Adası (since 2006) Early Bronze Age landscape studies around Pömmelte (since 2017) He co-founded the Max Planck Graduate School IMPRS ANARCHY (2011) and holds editorial roles for Prähistorische Zeitschrift and scholarly book series. His institutional service includes membership in the German Archaeological Institute's Roman-Germanic Commission and leadership in the Center for Black Sea Archaeology (ZAKS).

Arlie McCarthyView profile

Research Fellow

• Marine Ecology
• Polar Marine Ecology
• Invasive Species
• +5 more

Arlie McCarthy is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB) at the University of Oldenburg, Germany, where she investigates human impacts on polar marine ecosystems since 2022. Her research focuses on biofouling-mediated species introductions to Antarctica and associated biosecurity risks. Her academic journey includes: PhD in Zoology (2016-2022) from the University of Cambridge and British Antarctic Survey Master in Marine and Antarctic Sciences (2013-2014) from the University of Tasmania Bachelor of Science in Zoology with German Language Diploma (2008-2011) from the University of Melbourne McCarthy specializes in marine invasive species ecology, with particular expertise in Antarctic biosecurity frameworks. Her work examines ship-mediated species transport through biofouling and ballast water, employing environmental DNA tools and pathway analysis to assess invasion risks. She investigates how microplastics and shipping traffic create ecological vulnerabilities in polar regions, integrating field studies with policy development for conservation management. Her research bridges marine ecology, molecular techniques, and international governance to protect Antarctica's fragile ecosystems. Analysis of her 2019-2024 publications reveals three dominant research trajectories: (1) Antarctic biosecurity protocols using eDNA and expert frameworks, (2) quantification of invasion pathways through ship traffic and biofouling, and (3) conceptual clarification of marine conservation terminology like 'destructive fishing'. Her interdisciplinary approach connects Southern Ocean microplastic pollution with global shipping networks, emphasizing the urgency of polar conservation in the climate change era. McCarthy contributes to international marine governance through the Joint ICES/IOC/IMO Working Group on Ballast and Other Ship Vectors (WGBOSV), collaborating with global institutions to develop biosecurity standards. Her work at HIFMB integrates with broader Helmholtz Association initiatives studying biodiversity change in marine systems, particularly focusing on ecosystem connectivity between Antarctica and temperate regions through human vectors.

• Computational Geometry
• Algorithms
• Trajectory Analysis
• +3 more

Maike Buchin is a Professor of Theoretical Computer Science / Algorithmics at the Faculty of Computer Science, Ruhr-University Bochum, where she has been serving since 2019. She also holds the position of Studiendekanin Informatik (Dean of Studies for Computer Science). Prior to her current position, she was a Visiting Professor at Technical University Dortmund (2017-2019) and a Juniorprofessor at Ruhr University Bochum (2013-2017). Dr. Buchin's research focuses on computational geometry, algorithms, and trajectory analysis. Her work particularly emphasizes Frechet distance computations, curve matching, and geometric algorithms. She has made significant contributions to understanding the computational complexity of geometric problems and developing efficient algorithms for trajectory data analysis. Her research has applications in geographic information systems, movement pattern analysis, and shape comparison. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on clustering algorithms for polygonal curves, Frechet distance computations, and trajectory analysis. Her work bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications in GIS and movement data analysis. She has developed approximation algorithms, coreset constructions, and efficient query processing techniques for geometric problems. Her research has been published in top-tier venues including ACM Transactions on Algorithms, Computational Geometry: Theory and Applications, and proceedings of major conferences like Symposium on Computational Geometry (SoCG) and European Symposium on Algorithms (ESA). Dr. Buchin has supervised numerous students and taught courses including Algorithm Paradigms, Computer Science 2 - Algorithms and Data Structures, Computer Science 3 - Theoretical Computer Science, Geometric Algorithms, Data Structures, and seminars on Cryptology and Theoretical Computer Science. She leads research in the Theoretical Computer Science / Algorithmics group at Ruhr-University Bochum, collaborating with researchers worldwide on computational geometry problems and their applications.

• Data Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• +3 more

Laurin Luttmann, M.Sc., is a Research Associate at the Institute for Business Information Systems (IIS) at Leuphana University Lüneburg, specializing in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. He works within the Professorship for Business Informatics, focusing on combinatorial optimization and warehouse logistics applications. University: Leuphana University Lüneburg Department: Business Informatics, especially Data Science Role: Research Associate Research Interests span: Reinforcement Learning and Multi-Agent Systems Combinatorial Optimization Algorithms Warehouse Logistics Automation Neural Network Applications Graph-based AI Solutions Publication Trends show expertise in: Developing parallel autoregressive models for multi-agent optimization Applying neural networks to heterogeneous graph problems Advancing warehouse routing and order batching algorithms Comparative studies on neural network training methods

Marc Carel SchurrView profile

Professor

• Medieval Art History
• Gothic Architecture
• Building Research
• +2 more

Prof. Dr. Marc Carel Schurr is a Professor in the Department of Art History at the University of Trier, specializing in the art and architecture of the High and Late Middle Ages. His office hours are held during semester periods, and he actively teaches courses such as seminars on medieval architecture, light/space in art, and parish churches. Schurr's research spans Gothic architecture , monument preservation , and art geography , with a focus on cultural exchange across medieval Europe. He investigates how political, economic, and geographical factors shaped artistic production, particularly in regions like Alsace, the Rhineland, and Central Europe. His publications emphasize architectural analysis , cultural transfer , and regional styles , often examining cathedrals, crypts, and parish churches as expressions of societal values. Recurring themes include the interplay between French and German Gothic traditions, the symbolism of sacred spaces, and methodologies in art historical geography.

Kapil AhujaView profile

Professor

• Machine Learning
• Network Science
• Computational Optimization
• +4 more

Prof. Kapil Ahuja is a Full Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT Indore), where he heads the Mathematics of Data Science and Simulation (MODSS) research lab. After completing dual Master's degrees and a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech (USA) followed by postdoctoral work at the Max Planck Institute in Germany, he has held visiting positions at UT Austin, IMT Atlantique, Sandia National Labs, TU Dresden, and TU Braunschweig. His administrative roles include founding Dean of International Affairs and former Head of Computer Science & Engineering at IIT Indore. Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics, Virginia Tech (2011) M.S. in Mathematics, Virginia Tech (2009) M.S. in Computer Science, Virginia Tech (2007) B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering, IIT (BHU) Varanasi (2001) Research Focus: Prof. Ahuja's work bridges theoretical advances with real-world applications, emphasizing machine learning algorithms for plant/cancer studies, game-theoretic poverty reduction models, exascale climate modeling solvers, and drone trajectory optimization. His interdisciplinary approach integrates numerical linear algebra with network science to solve complex systems problems across healthcare, agriculture, and climate science, supported by 4.85 Crores INR in external funding. Publication Trends: Recent work demonstrates growing emphasis on AI-driven optimization for physical systems (drones, climate models) and biomedical applications (cancer classification). His publications increasingly feature cross-disciplinary collaborations between computer science, biology, and economics, with notable contributions in explainable AI for healthcare and resource allocation algorithms for social networks. Scientific Recognition: National Teacher's Award (2024) from the President of India Five-time recipient of IIT Indore's Best Teacher Award (2013-2023) Best Poster Award at International Workshop on Game Theory & Networks (2019) Steeneck Graduate Research Fellowship (Virginia Tech, 2011) Multiple SIAM travel awards for international conferences Mentorship & Service: Prof. Ahuja has graduated 5 Ph.D. and 4 M.S. (Research) students while mentoring 75 B.Tech. projects. He serves as Associate Editor for Applied Intelligence Journal (Springer Nature) and Knowledge and Information Systems, organizes international conferences, and reviews for 35+ academic sources. His administrative leadership significantly expanded IIT Indore's global partnerships through the Research Park initiative. Research Infrastructure: The MODSS lab maintains active collaborations with Oak Ridge National Lab, Sandia National Labs, and European institutions. Current projects include AI-optimized drone swarms for agricultural monitoring and game-theoretic models for poverty intervention, utilizing high-performance computing resources for large-scale simulations.

Silvia AmiconeView profile

Researcher

• Archaeometry
• Ceramic Technology
• Neolithic and Chalcolithic Archaeology
• +5 more

Dr. Silvia Amicone is a Researcher at the University of Tübingen with dual affiliations: the Competence Center Archaeometry – Baden-Württemberg (CCA-BW) (Faculty of Science) and the Institute for Prehistory and Early History and Medieval Archaeology (Faculty of Humanities). She also holds an Honorary Research Associate position at University College London's Institute of Archaeology. Education: PhD (2012–2017) and MSc (2010–2011) at University College London; MA (2006–2009) and BA (2002–2006) in Archaeology and Classics at Università degli Studi di Milano. Research Focus: Silvia specializes in archaeometric analysis of ceramics , with emphasis on pottery technology, pyrotechnology, and material culture across Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Iron Age sites in Europe, the Near East, and the Mediterranean. Her work bridges technical studies of pottery production with broader socio-economic questions about cultural transmission, innovation, and identity. Recent Article Trends: Her publications from 2023–2025 explore interdisciplinary approaches to pottery kilns (e.g., Campus Galli), Phoenician plaster technology (Tell el-Burak), kohl recipes in Iron Age Iran, and regional ceramic traditions in Kazakhstan and the Carpathian Basin. These studies highlight her expertise in experimental archaeology , geochemical characterization , and intercultural material exchanges . Collaborative Networks: Silvia actively collaborates with institutions like Curt-Engelhorn-Zentrum Archäometrie (Germany), Institute of Archaeology (UCL), and the Oxbow Books series. Her work spans fieldwork (e.g., Iraqi Kurdistan, Lebanon, Serbia), laboratory analysis (XRF, petrography), and theoretical frameworks addressing collapse, survival, and social transformations.

• Economic and Social History of Roman Egypt
• Textile Research
• Reception History
• +4 more

Kerstin Droß-Krüpe is a Senior Lecturer in Ancient History at the University of Kassel, specializing in Roman Egypt's economic and social structures through papyrological analysis. Her research bridges textile production, gender dynamics, and reception studies, particularly focusing on Eastern monarchs in Baroque opera. Doctorate (Marburg, 2010) and Habilitation (Kassel, 2020) Awarded Privatdozentin title by Kassel University (2020) Senior Academic Councillor at Ruhr University Bochum (2021–2025) Her scholarship explores: Textile industry organization in Roman Egypt Gender roles in ancient economic systems Cultural transmission through Baroque opera adaptations Principal-agent theory in Roman trade Persian and Semitic dress as historical narrative tools Recent publications analyze: Textile terminology standardization Tax compliance mechanisms Color symbolism in imperial documentation Lease agreements for commercial spaces Apprenticeship contracts Recognitions include: Mariann-Steegmann Foundation support for habilitation monograph Pasold Research Fund grants for textile analysis DAAD funding for international conference participation She contributes to: Academic editorial boards (GIS.science, Archaeological Textile Review) Dictionary of Techniques in Antiquity steering committee EU DressID Project sub-teams

• Economic History
• Social History
• Labor History
• +6 more

Dr. Tristan Oestermann is a Researcher specializing in economic and social history with emphasis on labor and education at Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg's Faculty of Humanities and Cultural Studies. His career spans research positions at ZZF Potsdam, Humboldt University Berlin, and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, supported by prestigious fellowships including the Elsa Neumann Scholarship and Leibniz Institute residency. His research explores critical intersections of global economic systems and colonial power structures, with particular focus on: German colonial economic history in Africa (especially Cameroon) Transnational pharmaceutical industry development Commodity chains (rubber, cinchona bark) Postcolonial negotiation processes in resource markets Labor systems under colonial rule Currently leading 'The Decolonization of Quinine' project, he challenges simplistic narratives of pharmaceutical power imbalances by examining how European companies maintained market positions despite postcolonial resource monopolies. His work reveals complex actors in global inequality formation after empire through meticulous analysis of Indonesian and Congolese-European negotiations. His scholarly output demonstrates consistent engagement with colonial economic history, featuring a 2023 monograph on Cameroonian rubber production and multiple 2025 publications analyzing German colonial enterprises, pharmaceutical history, and African economic intermediaries. This body of work bridges business history, medical anthropology, and postcolonial studies. Dr. Oestermann's contributions have been recognized through: FAZIT Foundation Scholarship (2019) Elsa Neumann Scholarship of the State of Berlin (2014-2017) Fellowship at Leibniz Institute for European History (2017-2018) As an active participant in the PCBH Network and SFB 138 'Dynamics of Security' research cluster, he maintains international collaborations focused on historical security research and changing working environments. His advisory approach emphasizes archival rigor and transnational perspectives, welcoming students interested in colonial economic history and global pharmaceutical industry studies.

Jürgen Wilhelm BöseView profile

Professor

• Logistics
• Supply Chain Management
• Port Terminal Planning
• +5 more

Professor Jürgen Wilhelm Böse is a Professor of Logistics at the Faculty of Commerce and Social Work, Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Suderburg Campus. He has held this position since 2018 and is responsible for teaching and research in logistics, particularly focusing on port terminal planning and operations. His office is located in Building C, Room 106.2, Suderburg. Professor Böse's academic journey began with studies in Industrial Engineering at the Technical University of Braunschweig (1991-1997), followed by research assistant work at the same institution (1997-2002). He then gained industry experience as Branch Manager at LOGIS.NET (2003-2005) and Senior Consultant at HPC Hamburg Port Consulting (2005-2010), before returning to academia as Senior Engineer at the Institute for Maritime Logistics, Hamburg University of Technology (2010-2018). His research focuses on planning complex logistics systems, particularly seaport container terminals. His work encompasses developing initial system solutions based on business experience and spreadsheet calculations, using discrete event-oriented simulation for validation and optimization, and coupling simulation tools with Artificial Intelligence for automated system optimization. This approach typically yields qualitatively better results at significantly lower costs compared to manual expert use of these tools. His research interests include: Planning of complex logistics systems, especially seaport container terminals Discrete event-oriented simulation for logistics optimization Integration of production and logistics systems in value creation networks Artificial Intelligence applications in logistics and port operations Truck arrival forecasting and resource planning at logistics nodes Sustainable port operations and green terminal planning Professor Böse has made significant contributions to the field through his publications, most notably as editor of the 'Handbook of Terminal Planning' (Springer, 2nd edition 2020). His work spans numerous journal articles, conference papers, and research project reports focused on port logistics, terminal planning, and simulation applications. He has received research funding for projects including: Lkw-Wartezeitprognose für logistische Knoten (Truck Wait Time Forecasting for Logistics Nodes) IMOTRIS (Intermodal Transport Routing Information System) ISETEC II (Location Systems in Port Handling) NETRALOG (Bio-analog algorithms for horizontal transport control) As an educator, Professor Böse teaches regular courses in Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Transport Management, and Warehousing. He also offers specialized courses on logistics simulation and quantitative methods. In addition to his teaching duties, he serves in several administrative roles including as Research Commissioner and Internationalization Commissioner for Faculty H.

Ruth BlankenfeldtView profile

Researcher

• Settlement archaeology
• Landscape archaeology
• Wetland and underwater archaeology
• +8 more

Dr. Ruth Blankenfeldt is a Scientific Associate at the Centre for Baltic and Scandinavian Archaeology (ZBSA) in Schleswig, part of the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology. With a career spanning nearly two decades since completing her doctorate in 2009, she has established herself as a specialist in northern European archaeology, particularly focusing on wetland environments, sacrificial sites, and coastal landscapes. Her research interests encompass settlement archaeology, landscape archaeology, wetland and underwater archaeology, sacrificial practices, the first millennium in Northern Europe, detector archaeology, and early Germanic art. Dr. Blankenfeldt's work often bridges traditional archaeological approaches with advanced geophysical prospection techniques, particularly in challenging environments like tidal flats and bogs. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on North Frisian coastal archaeology, with significant contributions to understanding submerged medieval landscapes, particularly related to the legendary Rungholt settlement. Her work also demonstrates continued engagement with Iron Age studies, especially regarding the Thorsberg bog site. The interdisciplinary nature of her research combines archaeological, geological, and historical methodologies to reconstruct past cultural landscapes and human-environment interactions. Dr. Blankenfeldt has been actively involved in numerous research projects since joining the Centre for Baltic and Scandinavian Archaeology in 2008, following earlier positions at the Archaeological State Museum Gottorf Castle (2005-2008) and the Schleswig State Archaeological Office (2005). Her fieldwork experience includes environmental impact assessments, sonar surveys, excavations of wetland sites, and investigations of shipwrecks in the North Sea region. As a researcher with extensive publication record including monographs, edited volumes, and journal articles, Dr. Blankenfeldt contributes significantly to advancing methodological approaches in coastal and wetland archaeology. Her work on electromagnetic prospection techniques for tidal flat environments represents innovative methodological development in archaeological survey practices.

Detlef GronenbornView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Neolithic Archaeology
• Neolithic Europe
• Neolithic Transition
• +8 more

Professor Detlef Gronenborn is a distinguished archaeologist specializing in Neolithic Europe and African prehistory. He serves as Deputy Head of the Competence Area "Prehistory" at the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology in Mainz, Germany, and holds an Adjunct Professor position at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. His career spans over three decades, with significant contributions to understanding the Neolithization process across Eurasia and the development of complex societies in the African Sahel region. His educational background includes studies at the Albertus Magnus University of Cologne and Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt (1982-1989), a Master's degree (1990), doctorate (1993), and dual habilitations (2001 in Frankfurt, 2003 in Mainz). His early career included research positions at Goethe University Frankfurt, the University of Florida, and the Roman-Germanic Central Museum Mainz, followed by his current long-term affiliation with the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology. Professor Gronenborn's research focuses on several interconnected areas: the Neolithization of Europe, particularly the spread of farming across Western Eurasia; social archaeology examining the emergence of complexity in early agrarian societies; climate-society interactions in prehistory; and Iron Age to historical periods in Africa, especially the Chad Basin region. He is renowned for his "Map: Expansion of Farming in Western Eurasia," which has become a standard reference in the field, with the most recent version published in 2025. His recent publications (2020-2024) reveal an increasing focus on computational approaches to understanding societal dynamics, particularly through agent-based modeling of population fluctuations and conflict. The "Landscape of Fear" model presented in his 2024 work offers new perspectives on how indirect effects of conflict can drive population declines in prehistoric societies. His analysis of the Schöneck-Kilianstädten massacre site (2015) provided crucial evidence about collective violence among Europe's first farming communities. Notable scientific contributions include: Development of the "adaptive cycles" framework for understanding Early Neolithic societal dynamics Groundbreaking research on Neolithic violence and massacre sites Extensive fieldwork in the Chad Basin region examining Iron Age political complexity Pioneering integration of climate data with archaeological evidence to understand societal change Influential theoretical work on social diversity and identity in Neolithic societies Challenging conventional evolutionary models of societal development in his edited volume "Surplus without the State" Professor Gronenborn maintains active international collaborations, particularly with institutions in Africa and across Europe. His genomic work with Rivollat et al. (2020) demonstrates engagement with cutting-edge scientific methods. His theoretical contributions bridge European and African archaeological traditions, offering comparative perspectives on societal development. His recent research trajectory shows increasing integration of computational methods with traditional archaeological analysis to address fundamental questions about societal dynamics across different cultural contexts and time periods. As Deputy Head of the Prehistory Competence Area at the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology, Gronenborn leads research initiatives examining long-term societal transformations, climate interactions, and the spread of agricultural practices. His position at the intersection of museum-based research, university teaching, and international collaboration makes him a significant figure in contemporary archaeological research.

Lutz GrunwaldView profile

Researcher

• Materials science (especially ceramics)
• Pre-modern industrial areas
• Ceramic production
• +6 more

Dr. Lutz Grunwald is a researcher at the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology (formerly Roman-Germanic Central Museum) in Mainz, Germany, where he has worked since 2006 in the competence area of volcanology, archaeology and history of technology. His academic career began with a 1995 PhD on Migration Period and Early Middle Ages grave finds, followed by research positions in Lower Saxony (1995-2003) and Rhineland-Palatinate (2004-2006) state heritage offices. He serves on the board of the international working group for ceramic research since 2015 and is a member of the Rhenish Ceramics Working Group since 2021. Dr. Grunwald's research focuses on ceramic production, particularly the 'Mayener Ware' tradition that spanned from the 4th to 14th centuries. His work reveals remarkable continuity in pottery production techniques, trade networks, and economic organization from Roman times through the early Middle Ages in the Mayen region. He has conducted extensive experimental archaeology, including the reconstruction and firing of 5th/6th century pottery kilns, to understand ancient ceramic technology. His research also encompasses settlement archaeology, cemetery studies, and the analysis of pre-modern industrial areas, with particular attention to the transition from Roman to medieval economic systems. Analysis of his recent publications (2016-2023) shows a consistent focus on ceramic production in the Mayen region, with increasing attention to experimental archaeology methods and detailed chronological studies. His work bridges traditional archaeological analysis with material science approaches, examining both the technological aspects of pottery production and its broader economic implications. The publications demonstrate a progression from descriptive studies of ceramic finds to more analytical work on production organization, trade networks, and technological evolution. Dr. Grunwald's research program demonstrates strong continuity in funding and scholarly engagement, with regular publications in major archaeological journals and conference proceedings. His experimental archaeology work represents a significant methodological contribution to understanding ancient ceramic technology. His leadership roles in ceramic research organizations indicate recognition by peers in the field. As a supervisor, Dr. Grunwald offers students opportunities to engage in ceramic analysis, experimental archaeology, and regional studies of the Roman to medieval transition. His research provides avenues for studying material culture, technological evolution, and economic continuity across historical periods. Students would benefit from his extensive network in European ceramic research and his hands-on approach to understanding ancient technologies through experimental reconstruction.

Florian SchimmerView profile

Researcher

• Roman Archaeology
• Roman Border Provinces
• Roman Trade and Economic History
• +5 more

Dr. Florian Schimmer is a Research Associate at the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology (RGZM) in Mainz, Germany, specializing in Roman Archaeology with a focus on border provinces, trade networks, and military history. He has been with the institution since 2016, following previous research positions at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich from 2007-2016. His research interests encompass Roman border provinces (particularly Northwest provinces and North Africa), Roman trade and economic history, Roman military studies, and analysis of Roman small finds with special expertise in ceramics and military equipment. Dr. Schimmer frequently employs amphorae analysis to reconstruct ancient trade networks and economic patterns along the Roman frontiers. Dr. Schimmer's publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output with recent works examining food supply on the Limes Tripolitanus, Roman military equipment studies, economic transformations in the 5th century Western Roman Empire, and archaeological investigations of Roman frontier sites. His research often bridges theoretical approaches with material evidence to provide nuanced understandings of Roman frontier societies. Doctoral scholarship from the Gerda Henkel Foundation (2002-2006) Postdoctoral Fellowship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) (2012) Dr. Schimmer maintains active collaborations with international research institutions across Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, Spain, and Italy. His work on Roman frontier provinces involves fieldwork at multiple archaeological sites and contributes significantly to our understanding of Roman provincial archaeology, particularly regarding trade networks and military organization along the empire's borders.

Thomas SchmidtsView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Roman Archaeology
• Ancient Seafaring
• Harbor Cities
• +5 more

PD Dr. Thomas Schmidts is a German archaeologist specializing in Roman archaeology, with particular expertise in ancient seafaring, harbor cities, and military infrastructure. Based at the Leibniz Center for Archaeology (RGZM) in Mainz, he serves as acting head of the Competence Area Roman Archaeology since 2019, having previously led the Research Area Ancient Shipping from 2006-2019. His academic credentials include a habilitation from Heidelberg University (2014) and an 'Umhabilitation' from Goethe University Frankfurt (2019), qualifying him as a Privatdozent with senior academic standing. Dr. Schmidts' research focuses on Roman provincial development, particularly along coastlines, with extensive work on Thracian harbor cities like Ainos. His interdisciplinary approach combines archaeological evidence with historical sources and increasingly incorporates geoarchaeological methods. Key research areas include Roman military construction (especially stamped military bricks), the organization of commercial shipping in the Roman Empire, and the influence of Roman administration on harbor city development across the Mediterranean. His publication record shows consistent scholarly output through 2022, with recent work emphasizing interdisciplinary harbor city research under the German Research Foundation's Priority Programme 1630 'Harbours from the Roman period to the Middle Ages.' His publications demonstrate expertise spanning ancient numismatics, settlement archaeology, military infrastructure, and Byzantine harbor development, reflecting the breadth of his research interests in Roman provincial archaeology. Dr. Schmidts has received academic training at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Universität zu Köln, with his habilitation representing a significant contribution to understanding military construction activity throughout the Roman provinces. His research demonstrates how material evidence like stamped bricks can reveal complex patterns of military involvement in civilian infrastructure development across the empire.