Thomas Corsten

Thomas Corsten is a Professor in the Department of Ancient History at the University of Vienna and serves as Group Leader for Epigraphy at the Austrian Archaeological Institute (OeAI), part of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. His work bridges academic research and field archaeology through institutional collaborations.

His research centers on epigraphy—the study of ancient inscriptions—with specialized focus on Greek and Roman epigraphic traditions. This involves systematic documentation of inscriptions from Mediterranean archaeological sites, contributing to historical linguistics, sociopolitical reconstruction of antiquity, and material culture studies. His methodology integrates philological analysis with archaeological context to interpret religious practices, administrative systems, and cultural exchanges in the ancient world.

As Epigraphy Group Leader, Corsten directs international projects including excavations at Aigeira, Kleidi/Samikon, and Tell el Dabʿa. He collaborates with cross-institutional teams across Greece, Egypt, and Austria, emphasizing digital epigraphy and open-access publication of inscription corpora. His leadership supports early-career researchers through OeAI's training programs and fieldwork mentorship.