Jan H. Bemmann

Prof. Dr. Jan H. Bemmann is a Professor for Prehistory and Early Historical Archaeology at the University of Bonn, leading the Department for Prehistory and Early Historical Archaeology. He serves as Principal Investigator at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, spearheading major projects such as the Mongolian-German Karakorum Expedition since 2005 and the €10 million 'Limes und Legion' project (2022–2039). His research focuses on the Mongol Empire (1206–1368), analyzing how the empire leveraged specialists from conquered regions to sustain its political and economic dominance. He has supervised 10 completed and 19 ongoing doctoral dissertations, along with numerous master's theses.

Education:

• Habilitation in Pre- and Early Historical Archaeology, University of Jena (2000)
• Ph.D. in Pre- and Early Historical Archaeology, University of Kiel (1989)
• M.A. in Pre- and Early Historical Archaeology, Medieval History, and Soil Science (Universities of Kiel, Saarbrücken, and Munich, 1981–1989)

Research Interests: Jan Bemmann examines the Mongol Empire’s strategies of relocating experts, artisans, and engineers across Inner Asia, comparing these practices with earlier steppe empires. His work spans urbanization in non-urban societies, bioarchaeological studies, and the analysis of cultural landscapes in Mongolia and Eurasia. Key themes include imperial governance, economic entanglements, and the interplay between nomadic and sedentary societies.

Notable Achievements:

• Recipient of Mongolia’s highest honor, the Order of the Polar Star (2023)
• Member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton (2019/2020)
• Recipient of the Khubilai Khan Medal (2012) and Honorary Doctorate from the Mongolian Academy of Science (2010)

Grants and Collaborations:

• Speaker of DFG Research Unit FOR-5438 (since 2023)
• Principal Investigator for the Volkswagen Foundation-funded Bonn Center for ArchaeoSciences (BoCAS)
• Lead over €6 million in third-party funding from DFG, BMBF, and private foundations

Labs/Teams: Coordinates international collaborations through projects like the Mongolian-German Karakorum Expedition and the Franco-German Graduate School 'Mass und Integration in Ancient Societies.'