Johannes Müller

Prof. Dr. Johannes Müller holds the Chair for Prehistoric Archaeology and directs the Institute of Pre- and Protohistory at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel since 2004. His academic journey includes studies at Freiburg and Edinburgh, a habilitation at FU Berlin, and leadership roles in Bamberg. His research focuses on social archaeology, settlement patterns, and human-environment interactions in European prehistory, particularly the Neolithic and Bronze Age. Müller leads major projects like the DFG Collaborative Research Center 'Scales of Transformation' and the 'Human Development in Landscapes' Graduate School. His fieldwork spans Germany, Poland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Ukraine, with excavations at sites like Okoliste and Bruszczewo. He coordinates international initiatives like the Priority Program 'Early Monumentality and Social Differentiation.' Müller is a leading figure in computational archaeology, advancing predictive mapping and geophysical survey techniques. His work bridges archaeology with environmental and demographic sciences, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration.

Education:

• PhD and habilitation in Prehistoric Archaeology (Freiburg and Berlin)
• DAI travel grant and academic roles at Freiburg, Cologne, and Bamberg

Research Interests:

Müller’s research integrates social archaeology with landscape and environmental studies to explore societal complexity and inequality. Key themes include:

• Neolithic monumental architecture (e.g., megalithic tombs, fortified settlements)
• Trypillia mega-sites and their socio-environmental dynamics
• Climate change impacts on prehistoric societies
• Computational methods for predictive mapping

Collaborations:

• German Archaeological Institute (DAI)
• International teams in Poland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Ukraine
• Partnerships with institutions like Poznan University and the State Museum of Sarajevo

Labs/Teams:

He oversees the Institute’s fieldwork and laboratory facilities, including geophysical surveys and environmental analysis. His team employs cutting-edge techniques like geomagnetic imaging and isotopic dating to reconstruct ancient landscapes.