Paula Kouki

Paula Kouki is a researcher affiliated with the Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies at the University of Helsinki, Finland. She is actively involved in the Centre of Excellence in Ancient Near Eastern Empires (ANEE) (2018–2025) and contributes to projects like Merellisen Helsingin historiaa paikannimistön ja arkeologian kuvaamana and the broader Archaeology (ARCH-HU) research group. Her work spans 1997–2025, with a focus on geoarchaeology, material culture, and cultural heritage in the Southern Levant.

• Fields of Interest: Geoarchaeology, Environmental Archaeology, Ancient Near Eastern Empires, Material Culture, Cultural Heritage

Research Focus: Dr. Kouki investigates sedimentology, plaster technology, and anthropogenic residues in archaeological contexts, particularly in Late Hellenistic–Early Roman Palestine and the Petra region. Her studies bridge geomorphology, archaeology, and environmental history to understand ancient land use and cultural practices. Notably, she co-edited the 2018 anthology Landscapes of the Past and Future, highlighting Finnish contributions to landscape archaeology.

Scientific Outputs: Her recent articles (2019–2025) analyze dust accumulation, plaster recipes, and cultural landscapes in the Southern Levant. Earlier works (2006–2011) emphasize foundational research in archaeological methodology and productivity metrics. She actively presents at conferences, including the 5th Landscape Archaeology Conference (2018) and sessions on ancient empires (2019).

Collaborations: Dr. Kouki collaborates internationally with scholars like B. Lucke and N. Abu-Jaber, focusing on geoarchaeological evidence, material sources, and anthropogenic impacts in desert fringe regions.