Oskar Kaelin

Oskar Kaelin is a Post-Doc researcher at the Faculty of Theology, University of Basel, specializing in cross-cultural interactions between ancient civilizations. His work focuses on visual and ideological transfers between Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Hellenistic world, particularly examining how artistic motifs, royal iconography, and cultural innovations spread across regions.

• Key Themes: Egypt-Mesopotamia diffusion, intercultural iconography, Near Eastern archaeology, Hellenistic political networks

His recent publications include studies on Assyrian-Egyptian artistic parallels, Phoenician archaeological connections, and the role of trade routes in cultural exchange. He contributed to the Proceedings of the 9th International Congress on the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East and co-edited the Basel archaeological collection's catalog. His research spans from the 3rd millennium BC to Late Antiquity, analyzing how trade, conquest, and diplomacy facilitated cultural transformations.

Notable contributions include comparative analyses of royal relief programs (Assurnasirpal II vs. Ramesses III), the adaptation of Egyptian motifs in Assyrian art (e.g., the Ulai battle reliefs), and investigations into how Hellenistic officials like Nikomedes of Kos acted as cultural intermediaries. His work often intersects with scholars such as Thomas Schneider and Hans-Peter Mathys, reflecting collaborative approaches to ancient world studies.