Regina Hanslmayr

Dr. Regina Hanslmayr is an affiliated researcher in Classical Archaeology at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, with a distinguished career spanning over two decades focused on ancient Mediterranean sculpture, particularly the study of herms from Ephesus and Delos. Her academic journey began at the University of Vienna where she earned her doctorate with distinction in 2006. She has established herself as a leading expert on Mediterranean sculptural landscapes through extensive research, publications, and international conference presentations. Her work bridges art historical analysis with archaeological context to reconstruct how herms functioned within ancient sacred and domestic spaces across the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Dr. Hanslmayr's educational background includes:

• Doctorate in Classical Archaeology from the University of Vienna (2006) with dissertation "Herms from Ephesus"
• Diploma in Classical Archaeology with distinction from the University of Vienna (1997)
• Thesis: "On the dating of Hellenistic and Roman copies of Polycletic youth statues"
• Studies in Classical Archaeology and Art History at the University of Vienna (1990-1997)

Her research primarily centers on Classical Archaeology with specialization in Greek and Roman Sculpture. Dr. Hanslmayr investigates how herms functioned as markers of "sacro-idyllic" landscapes in the Mediterranean world. Her work examines the typological development, iconographic variations, and contextual placement of these sculptures across Hellenistic and Roman periods. She has identified specific motifs like the cock sacrifice as recurring elements in Dionysian-bucolic contexts and has made significant contributions to understanding planetary symbolism in late antique sculpture. Her research reveals how herms served multiple functions—as boundary markers, religious symbols, and decorative elements in both public and private spaces.

Dr. Hanslmayr's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on herm studies, with her most significant contribution being the monograph "The Sculptures of Ephesus: The Herms" (2016). Her recent work on "Hermenlandschaften" (herm landscapes) of Delos and Ephesus shows increasing sophistication in analyzing contextual relationships between sculptures and their environments. She has presented her research at numerous international conferences including the International Congress of Classical Archaeology in Cologne/Bonn (2018) and the Austrian Archaeological Days, with upcoming presentations scheduled through 2025.

Her current research focuses on the "Reconstruction of ancient herm landscapes in the Mediterranean region," particularly the ongoing "Herms at Delos" project which aims to publish Delian herms in an anthology modeled on her previous work on Ephesian herms. This research builds upon her extensive fieldwork experience at sites including Carnuntum in Austria and Ephesus in Turkey. She has also contributed to broader archaeological discussions through works examining contemporary museum practices and exhibition design.