Timo Ibsen

Dr. Timo Ibsen is a researcher at the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology (ZBSA) in Schleswig, Germany, specializing in Baltic and Scandinavian archaeology. Since 2012, he has served as a research associate on the academy project 'Research Continuity and Continuity Research – Basic Settlement Archaeological Research on the Iron Age in the Baltic States,' focusing on reconstructing archaeological knowledge of former East Prussia. Previously, he managed the 'Suzdal and Mohovoe/Wiskiauten' project (2009-2012) and completed his PhD at the Archaeological State Museum in Kiel.

Dr. Ibsen's research focuses on settlement archaeology and hillfort research in the Baltic region, particularly examining the Iron Age and Medieval periods in former East Prussia (now divided among Lithuania, Russia's Kaliningrad region, and Poland). His work investigates settlement continuity through time, cultural interactions between Prussians and Vikings, and the development of methodologies for dating hillforts. He combines archival research with modern field techniques including GIS analysis and radiocarbon dating to reconstruct archaeological landscapes that were disrupted by World War II.

His publication record demonstrates consistent output with significant contributions in 2021-2024, particularly on hillfort complexes in Eastern Prussia, spatial distribution of hillforts on the Sambian peninsula, and Viking-Prussian interactions. His work shows a clear progression from site-specific studies to broader landscape analyses and methodological innovations in dating techniques.

Dr. Ibsen has established important international collaborations between German, Russian, and Lithuanian institutions to overcome the geopolitical challenges of researching former East Prussia. His work has been supported through academy projects and DFG-funded research, demonstrating strong institutional backing for his research program. He has supervised international fieldwork and archival research projects across the region.

His research group at ZBSA focuses on reconstructing the archaeological landscape of former East Prussia using pre-war archives and modern fieldwork. The team has developed specialized methodologies for analyzing hillfort networks and their relationship to settlement patterns, contributing significantly to our understanding of Baltic archaeology in the Iron Age and Medieval periods.