Lukas Waltenberger

Lukas Waltenberger is a postdoctoral researcher affiliated with the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), specializing in prehistoric archaeology and forensic anthropology. His work bridges the study of ancient cremation practices, skeletal analysis, and human evolutionary biology.

• Education: Bachelor's in Biology (Anthropology focus, University of Vienna, 2014), Master's in Forensic Osteology (Bournemouth University, 2014), PhD (ERC VAMOS project, 2017-2021)
• Current Role: Postdoc in the FWF-funded project 'Unlocking the Secrets of Cremated Human Remains' (since 2022)
• Past Work: Commission of Missing Persons (CMP), Cyprus (2016)

His research focuses on burned human bones as a key to understanding Bronze Age societies, including temporal sequences, gender mobility, and family relationships in Late Bronze Age Austria. He employs geometric morphometrics and cremation diagnosis to explore prehistoric identities, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to osteoanthropology.

His recent publications highlight trends in

• bronze age metallurgy
• funerary archaeology
• sex estimation in cremated remains
• mobility studies
• bioarchaeological health analysis
• methodological advancements

across Europe.

Scientific Awards:

• ATHEN Fellowship, Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW)

Waltenberger's work contributes to understanding ancient social structures through skeletal analysis and participates in research groups like 'Prehistoric Identities,' advancing methodologies for studying cremated remains and human evolution.