Moritz Jansen

Dr. Moritz Jansen is a scientific staff member in the Research Laboratory of the Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum, a research institution closely linked with the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Since November 2020 he brings expertise in isotope archaeology to the museum’s archaeometallurgical programmes, and from 2015–2020 he was Lecturer for Archaeometallurgy at the Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials, University of Pennsylvania, USA.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Geosciences and Archaeological Sciences, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
• Master’s degree in Economic and Raw-Materials Archaeology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
• Doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) in Geosciences, Ruhr-Universität Bochum (2019)

Research Focus

Dr. Jansen’s research integrates high-precision geochemistry with archaeological questions. Using isotopic and trace-element signatures he reconstructs prehistoric metal trade networks, with a special focus on gold and copper circulation in Bronze-Age Mesopotamia and the wider Near East. Methodologically he pioneers Cu, Pb and Os isotope systems for provenance studies of gold and copper artifacts, and he develops laboratory protocols for ultra-low blank isotope measurements on archaeological metals.

His current projects include “Metalle in Mesopotamien” and “Gold in Georgien”, both aimed at elucidating early metal supply chains through interdisciplinary archaeometric investigation.

Publications & Impact

Across more than a dozen peer-reviewed articles since 2016, Jansen has advanced understanding of the geochemical diversity of Bronze-Age gold and copper, traced Near Eastern metal sources, and provided critical methodological assessments of isotope techniques in archaeology. His work is recognized for integrating rigorous analytical chemistry with nuanced archaeological interpretation.

Memberships & Collaborations

• Consulting Scholar, Near East Section, University of Pennsylvania Museum
• Consulting Scholar, Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials, University of Pennsylvania
• Member, Gesellschaft für Naturwissenschaftliche Archäologie (GNAA)

Laboratory & Team

Dr. Jansen operates within the state-of-the-art Research Laboratory of the Deutsches Bergbau-Museum, where he collaborates with archaeologists, geologists and museum conservators to analyse ancient metals and ores. During his time at Penn he helped establish a new laboratory for archaeometallurgy, training graduate students in clean-lab isotope procedures and micro-analytical techniques.