Manuel J.H. Peters

Dr. Manuel J.H. Peters serves as a Visiting Professor at the University of the Philippines School of Archaeology while functioning as the Remote Sensing and Digital Archaeology Specialist within the Department of Coevolution of Land Use and Urbanization at the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology (MPI-GEA) in Jena, Germany. His transdisciplinary work bridges archaeological methodology with advanced technological applications.

His educational background features dual PhDs with high distinction: one in Archaeology from Évora University (Portugal) and another in Materials Science from the Polytechnic University of Turin (Italy), complemented by an MSc in Digital Archaeology from Leiden University and undergraduate training at Antwerp University. Key formative experiences include a Marie Skłodowska-Curie ESR fellowship and specialized training at the Royal Armouries (Leeds) and LandesMuseum Bonn.

Peters pioneers integrated remote sensing workflows combining satellite/drone LiDAR, photogrammetry, and ground surveys for archaeological applications across Mediterranean, Asian, European, and Latin American contexts. His research critically examines material degradation, landscape evolution, and Roman-era settlements through GIS frameworks and conservation science. Recent publications reveal a strong trend toward machine learning integration for land use detection and multiscale environmental impact assessment on heritage sites.

His scientific awards include the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie ESR fellowship, Mathilde E. Horlait-Dapsens Prize for conservation training, and Erasmus Leonardo da Vinci Scholarship for museum development.

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie ESR fellowship
• Mathilde E. Horlait-Dapsens Prize
• Erasmus Leonardo da Vinci Scholarship

As lead developer of MPI-GEA's Remote Sensing Unit, Peters directs field operations across five continents with emphasis on methodological innovation. His collaborative projects involve major institutions like the University of the Philippines and Évora University, often securing European research grants for transnational archaeological technology initiatives. Current work focuses on predictive modeling of climate impacts on archaeological materials.

His laboratory infrastructure spans mobile field units for drone-based LiDAR acquisition, material characterization labs at MPI-GEA, and digital reconstruction facilities supporting large-scale landscape analysis.