Marina Pucci

Marina Pucci is an Associate Professor of Near Eastern Archaeology at the University of Florence's Department of History, Archaeology, Geography, Arts and Entertainment (SAGAS). She specializes in the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age periods in Syria and Anatolia, with particular expertise in ceramic analysis, spatial studies, and cultural contact during these historical periods. Her extensive fieldwork includes directing excavations at key sites such as Kınık Höyük in Turkey and participating in major projects at Alalakh, Zincirli, and Tell Shech Hamad.

Her academic background includes a PhD summa cum laude from Freie Universität Berlin and a Master's degree from the University of Pisa. She has held numerous academic positions including Fixed-term Researcher under the Rita Levi Montalcini program and currently serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Florence.

Pucci's research focuses on material culture of the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age in Anatolia, the Levant, Central Syria, and Northern Mesopotamia. She examines group identity, migration theories, center-periphery relationships in the Neo-Assyrian and Hittite Empires, functional analysis of pottery, social archaeology, architectural space, and Syrian archaeology. Her work often explores cultural encounters, technological transfers, and the impact of political changes on material culture across the ancient Near East.

Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on the Amuq region, ceramic analysis, and Iron Age material culture. Her work increasingly incorporates digital documentation methods and addresses cultural heritage preservation in conflict zones. She examines transitions between historical periods, particularly the Late Bronze to Iron Age transition, analyzing how material culture reflects social, political, and economic changes. Her research connects specific archaeological findings to broader historical narratives about cultural contacts and transformations in the ancient Near East.

As an academic advisor, Professor Pucci supervises undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students, guiding thesis work on Near Eastern archaeology. She has secured significant research funding including MAECI grants, OrMe Foundation support, Prin projects, and Rita Levi Montalcini funding. Her international collaborations span institutions in Turkey, Syria, Iran, Israel, Germany, and the United States.

Professor Pucci leads archaeological field teams at Kınık Höyük in Niğde, Turkey, directing a group of 6-7 students and postdocs from the University of Florence. She coordinates international collaborations with the Oriental Institute at Chicago, Freie Universität Berlin, and various Turkish and Syrian universities on excavation and preservation projects. Her work has significant implications for understanding cultural heritage in conflict areas and developing preservation strategies for endangered archaeological sites.