Michael Brandl

Michael Brandl is a Lecturer at the University of Vienna and Karl-Franzens-University Graz, and a Researcher at the Austrian Academy of Sciences' Institute for Oriental and European Archaeology (OREA). He specializes in lithic raw material analysis using the Multi-Layered Chert Sourcing Approach (MLA), focusing on provenance studies of prehistoric stone tools and mining practices. His work spans Neolithic chert quarries in Styria, Paleolithic tool procurement strategies, and geoarchaeological investigations in Austria, Serbia, and the Gulf of Oman.

Education: Master’s (2005) and PhD (2013) in Prehistoric Archaeology from the University of Vienna. Professional experience includes field director roles and guest research positions with the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Research Interests: Raw material analysis methodologies, prehistoric mining practices worldwide, socio-economic aspects of lithic resource management, and geoarchaeological site studies. He leads the OREA Raw Material Lab and coordinates interdisciplinary projects like 'BergbauLandschaftWien' and 'Radiolarite Mining in Vienna.'

Recent publications focus on lithic sourcing in contexts ranging from Neanderthal sites to Early Bronze Age trading posts. His work integrates geochemical analyses, field archaeology, and theoretical models to explore human-environment interactions and mobility patterns.