Martin Schönfelder

Dr. Martin Schönfelder is a prominent researcher at the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology (LEIZA) in Mainz, Germany, specializing in European Iron Age studies with a focus on the La Tène period (5th–1st century BC) and Celtic cultures. His work spans cultural contacts, social practices, urbanization, and palaeoenvironmental research, with extensive fieldwork and publications addressing mobility, migration, and synchronization of chronological systems across Central Europe.

Research Focus:

• Celtic migrations and La Tène cultural spread
• Chronological synchronization of Iron Age cultures (La Tène, Jastorf, Przeworsk)
• Analysis of oppida and open agglomerations
• Material culture studies (gold torcs, bronze jugs, horse tack)
• Elite representation and religious symbolism

Publications & Projects: He has co-edited international volumes on open settlements and proto-urbanization, led DFG-funded projects like 'Mobilität und Migration in der Eisenzeit', and contributed to debates on the Gundestrup Cauldron and Spearbutts in Irish Iron Age. Recent work examines developmental dynamics post-2nd century BC and artifact-based evidence for cultural memory.

Academic Roles:

• Member of AFEAF since 2005
• Associated with UMR 6298 ARTeHIS (Dijon)
• Curator of RGZM permanent exhibition (since 2020)
• Editorial leadership in Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt (2003–2020)