Maikel Kuijpers

Dr. Maikel Kuijpers is an Assistant Professor of European Prehistory at the Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, and a research coordinator for the Centre of Global Heritage and Development (a collaboration between Leiden University, TU Delft, and Erasmus University Rotterdam). His work bridges archaeology, the history of knowledge, anthropology, and sociology.

• PhD (University of Cambridge, 2014) on Bronze Age metalworking
• MPhil (Leiden University, 2008)
• Visiting Post-doctoral Fellow (Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, 2018–2019)

Kuijpers investigates craftsmanship and skill across ancient and modern contexts, focusing on how materials shape human cognition. His research includes a "material mentalities" framework, analyzing how Bronze Age copper/bronze systems influenced economic transitions (e.g., shape-based economies to weighing systems). He advocates for revaluing material craftsmanship in contemporary society to address environmental challenges.

His publications include the 2018 book An Archaeology of Skill (Routledge) and a 2021 PLoS ONE study quantifying Bronze Age commodity money using similarity indexes. He produced the documentary Craft: The Future is Handmade and collaborates with the Százhalombatta Archaeological Expedition (SAX) and "Economies of Destruction" projects.

Key contributions:

• NWO-funded research (2015–present) on material standardization
• Public archaeology engagement through media and debates
• Interdisciplinary approach linking prehistoric metallurgy to modern societal issues