Stephen Merkel

Dr. Stephen Merkel is a Researcher in the Department of Earth Sciences at the Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. His work focuses on archaeological science and historical metallurgy, particularly using lead isotope analysis to trace material provenance in medieval and ancient contexts.

Research Interests: His studies explore topics such as Slavic lead mining, early Rus’ trade networks, and the provenance of silver and non-ferrous metals in medieval Europe and the Islamic world. He employs advanced analytical techniques like laser ablation ICP-MS for isotopic and elemental analysis.

Projects: He contributed to the project 'From plates to bones? An inquiry into ancient lead intake and the applicability of the lead isotope system for tracing ancient human mobility' (2024). His research also involves collaborations on Viking Age silver circulation and Byzantine-Umayyad ceramic production.

Publications: Merkel has authored over 19 peer-reviewed articles, including studies on Early Islamic silver dirhams, medieval lead glass bangles, and the origins of Rus' non-ferrous metals. His work often bridges archaeology and chemistry to understand ancient resource utilization and trade dynamics.