Jan Bemmann

Jan Bemmann is a full Professor of Prehistoric and Early Historical Archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology, University of Bonn, where he has been a faculty member since 2005. His research centers on the archaeology of Mongolia, particularly Karakorum and the Orkhon Valley, and extends to the Roman Iron Age and early medieval periods in Central Germany and Scandinavia. He leads multiple international research projects and collaborates with institutions in Mongolia, China, Austria, and the USA.

Research Interests: His work explores urbanism in the Eurasian steppes, the emergence of mounted warriors, cultural change, modes of interaction, and the history of archaeology. He integrates archaeological, geochemical, and spatial methods to study imperial landscapes and nomadic empires.

The recent publications reflect a strong focus on the Mongol Empire, Uyghur Khaganate, and cultural dynamics along the Eurasian steppe corridor. Key themes include imperial urbanism, land use, funerary practices, and cross-cultural interactions during the first millennium AD. His methodological approaches involve geomagnetic prospection, 3D modeling, and biomarker analysis.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Khubilai Khan Medal, Mongolian Academy of Science (2012)
• Honorary doctorate, Mongolian Academy of Science (2010)
• Member, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (2019/20)
• Visiting Research Fellow, Jilin University, China (2015)
• Visiting Research Scholar, NYU’s Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (2014–2015)
• DFG Postdoctoral Fellowship (1990–1993)

Advising and Grants: While specific students are not listed, Bemmann has supervised numerous research projects and mentored junior scholars through DFG, BMBF, and DAAD-funded initiatives. He is Co-PI of the DFG Excellence Cluster 'Beyond Slavery and Freedom' and has secured continuous funding since the 1990s from major German and international agencies for fieldwork in Mongolia, Germany, and the Crimea.

Labs and Teams: He leads a research group focused on Eurasian archaeology at the University of Bonn, collaborating with the German Archaeological Institute and Mongolian Academy of Science. His team employs interdisciplinary methods, including geoarchaeology, bioarchaeology, and digital prospection.