Michael Schmauder

Prof. Dr. Michael Schmauder is a distinguished academic and archaeologist affiliated with the Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Bonn, and currently serves as Head of the Department for Inventory Management and Collection Development at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn (Rheinisches Landesmuseum Bonn). His work bridges academic research and museum curation, focusing on the archaeology of late antiquity and the early medieval period in Central and Southeast Europe.

His research interests include the archaeology of the Migration Period, interactions between Roman and barbarian societies, elite burial practices, material culture of the Huns and Avars, and the transformation of cultural identities during the transition from antiquity to the Middle Ages. He has extensively studied hoards, grave goods, fortifications, and settlement patterns, particularly in the Rhineland and Southeast Europe.

The analysis of his recent publications reveals a sustained focus on cultural continuity and change, migration dynamics, and the material manifestations of political and social transformation. His work often integrates interdisciplinary perspectives, including historical sources, art history, and scientific analyses of human remains and artifacts.

• Corresponding Member of the German Archaeological Institute
• Fellow of the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes

Prof. Schmauder has supervised various archaeological projects and led major excavations, such as those at Burg Reuschenberg and Garzweiler. He has been instrumental in advancing early medieval research at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn, promoting digital documentation and public engagement. He has also contributed significantly to academic publishing, serving as editor for multiple conference volumes and book series, and has authored a monograph on the Huns.

His ongoing research continues to explore the complex interactions between empires and nomadic groups, with a particular emphasis on the Eurasian steppe zone and Central Europe. He leads and participates in international collaborative projects, reflecting his prominent role in the European archaeological community.