Martin Seyer

Dr. Martin Seyer is a Senior Academy Scientist and Research Fellow leading the Historical Archaeology in the Mediterranean research group at the Austrian Archaeological Institute (ÖAI) in Vienna. Since 1986, he has been a key figure in the annual excavations at Limyra (Lycia, Turkey), serving as head of excavations since 2007. His work integrates urban archaeology, funerary studies, and geoarchaeology to explore Lycian and Mediterranean antiquity.

Education: Studied Classical Archaeology and Egyptology at the University of Vienna. Habilitation awarded in 2023 (venia docendi for Classical Archaeology) from the University of Vienna’s Faculty of History and Cultural Studies. Lecturer at the Humboldt University Berlin, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, and other institutions.

Research focuses on Lycian urban development, funerary practices, and the interplay between environmental and cultural dynamics. Notable projects include the Urban Development of Limyra in the Hellenistic Period and investigations into a potential Byzantine synagogue with Jewish elements. He is also a co-editor of excavation reports and volumes on Lycian archaeology.

His publications analyze Limyra’s geoarchaeological context, burial monuments, and material culture, while his fieldwork emphasizes interdisciplinary methods (e.g., geophysical surveys, geochemical analyses). Collaborative projects with international teams highlight his role in advancing archaeological methodologies and Mediterranean research networks.

Labs/Teams: Directs the ÖAI’s Limyra excavation team and coordinates the Historical Archaeology in the Mediterranean group, fostering collaborative research across institutions.