Felix Riede

Felix Riede is a Professor in the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies at the School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University. He is actively engaged in interdisciplinary research bridging archaeology, ecology, and cultural evolution, with a focus on human responses to environmental crises in prehistoric times.

His research interests include Archaeology, Cultural Evolution, and Palaeoecology, with specialized expertise in tephrochronology, disaster archaeology, and niche construction theory. His work investigates how prehistoric societies adapted to abrupt environmental changes, particularly during the Late Glacial period in Northern Europe.

The trend in his recent publications shows a strong focus on the impact of the Laacher See volcanic eruption (~12,920 BP) on human populations, examining material culture shifts, tephra dispersion patterns, and long-term societal resilience. His research integrates geological data with archaeological records to reconstruct human-environment interactions.

He has led significant research projects such as LaPaDiS (Laboratory for Past Disaster Science) and studies on Neandertal settlement potential in southern Denmark, indicating sustained grant funding and leadership in the field.

Notable projects include:

• LaPaDiS: Laboratory for Past Disaster Science - phase 1 (2011–2013)
• Faunal perspectives on the possible settlement of southern Denmark by Neandertals (2011–2012)