Martin Furholt

Prof. Dr. Martin Furholt is a renowned archaeologist holding the Chair of Prehistoric Archaeology and Social Archaeology at the Institute of Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology at Kiel University. He also serves as Deputy Speaker of the Excellence Cluster ROOTS and is affiliated with the CRC 1266. His academic journey includes professorships at the University of Oslo (2018–2021) and substitute professorships at Goethe University Frankfurt and Kiel University. He has led pioneering research on Neolithic societies, focusing on social organization, inequality, and translocal communities.

Education:

• PhD in Prehistoric Archaeology (2006, Kiel University)
• Studies in Berlin, Kiel, Aarhus, Erlangen, and Bamberg (1997–2003)
• DAAD scholarships in Denmark and postdoctoral fellowships at the German Archaeological Institute (DAI)

Research Interests: Furholt’s work integrates archaeological theory with material culture analysis, particularly addressing social dynamics in Neolithic Europe. Key themes include mobility, inequality, and the interplay between archaeology and ancient DNA studies. His research on LBK settlements (e.g., Vráble, Slovakia) explores communal tensions and social stratification in early farming communities.

Research Projects:

• "Dynamics of Settlement Concentration Processes in Early Farming Communities" (since 2016)
• "Investigating Inequality in Late Neolithic Settlements" (since 2023)
• "Archaeological Migration Narratives in Southern Norway" (2021–2022)

Labs/Teams: Furholt collaborates with international teams via the ROOTS Cluster and CRC 1266, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to prehistoric landscapes and social formations.