Martin Bentz

Prof. Dr. Martin Bentz is a Professor of Classical Archaeology and Principal Investigator at the University of Bonn's Department for Classical Archaeology. His research focuses on dependency structures in the Greek and pre-Roman world, integrating archaeological evidence with literary sources to analyze economic relationships among slaves, metics, and free citizens. He leads major projects like the DFG Research Training Group 'Archeology of Pre-Modern Economies' and serves as spokesperson for this initiative since 2013. Bentz has held prestigious roles, including a visiting professorship at the Free University of Brussels (2011–2012) and managing editor of the Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum (1999–2004).

Education includes a Habilitation in Classical Archaeology (1997) and a PhD from the University of Göttingen (1986–1989). He completed a joint MA program across the Universities of Cologne, Florence, and Göttingen (1980–1986). His academic leadership spans archaeological excavations in Marzabotto (2002–2007) and Selinunte (2010–2016), as well as presidency of the German Archaeologists’ Association (DArV, 2008–2012).

Bentz has secured extensive third-party funding, including DFG grants, Volkswagenstiftung projects, and EU collaborations. He has supervised over 18 doctoral candidates and numerous master’s and bachelor’s students. His publications, totaling 6 monographs, 13 edited volumes, and 76 articles, explore ancient economies, material culture, and cross-cultural comparisons. He also curates exhibitions, organizes international conferences, and serves on editorial boards for journals like Gnomon and Kölner und Bonner Archaeologika.