Vassilis Petrakis is an Assistant Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology at the Department of History and Archaeology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens. He holds a first degree in archaeology (2002, Athens) and a PhD in prehistoric archaeology (2010, Athens). His work focuses on Aegean prehistory with special emphasis on the Greek Mainland. Specialist in Linear B epigraphy Researches Mycenaean economy, administration, and religion Expert in mortuary practices and funerary architecture Studies warfare and trade in the Aegean Bronze Age His current research includes the study and publication of Linear B documents from the Mycenaean palace complex of Ayios Vasileios in Laconia and Bronze Age inscriptions from Kato Zakros, Crete. Petrakis has participated in field projects in Greece and Cyprus, including the Eleusis Archaeological Project, Iklaina Archaeological Project, and Koukonisi excavations. He previously worked as a contract archaeologist and research fellow before joining the Athens faculty in 2021. His publication trends reflect expertise in: Aegean scripts and writing systems Mycenaean political geographies Religious and ritual practices Iconographic analysis Administrative structures Intercultural contact studies
Julien Cooper is an Egyptologist, Nubiologist, and archaeologist currently serving as an ARC Future Fellow in the School of Humanities at Macquarie University. His research focuses on the archaeology of the Eastern Desert (Atbai) and the history of its nomadic peoples. He directs the 'Atbai Survey Project,' a fieldwork program surveying the vast deserts between the Nile and the Red Sea, aiming to shed light on the region's heritage from neolithic rock art to ancient Egyptian trade routes and medieval goldmines. Cooper completed his PhD in Egyptology at Macquarie University in 2016, followed by postdoctoral fellowships at Oxford (as an ERC Fellow) and Yale universities, and an Assistant Professor position at United International College-Beijing Normal University from 2020-2022. His educational background includes a PhD in Egyptology from Macquarie University (2016) with a dissertation titled 'Toponymy on the Periphery: Placenames of the Eastern Desert, Red Sea, and South Sinai.' His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to understanding the complex cultural landscape of Northeast Africa. Cooper's research interests center on Egypt & Nubia and the networks of connections across Northeast Africa, with specific focus on nomads in the region, survey archaeology, rock art studies, heritage conservation, Nubian history, foreign connections of ancient Egyptian state, Egyptian epigraphy, language contact, and Middle Egyptian language. His work reveals how nomadic peoples significantly influenced the political, economic, and environmental landscape of ancient Northeast Africa, challenging traditional 'Nile Narrative' perspectives that often overlook desert cultures. His recent publications demonstrate a growing trend toward interdisciplinary approaches combining archaeology, linguistics, and historical geography to understand cultural boundaries and interactions in ancient Nubia. Cooper's work increasingly focuses on heritage conservation in Sudan amid ongoing conflicts, reflecting the urgent need to document and protect vulnerable archaeological sites. ARC Future Fellowship 'Rescuing Pharaoh's Gold Mines: Archaeological conservation in Eastern Sudan' (2024-2028) Sir Douglas Newbold Archival Project: The Archaeology and History of Eastern Sudan Nomades et nomadismes au Sahara oriental (Égypte, Soudan, est libyen) Cooper has advised numerous students and collaborated extensively with Sudanese academics and scientists. His projects provide training in GIS and archaeological mapping for local communities in Sudan's Red Sea Province. He has organized workshops with UNESCO and international partners to develop strategies for cultural heritage preservation in conflict zones. His fieldwork with the Atbai Survey Project has established a significant presence in Eastern Sudan, with ongoing efforts to document and conserve archaeological sites threatened by looting and environmental degradation. He leads the Atbai Survey Project team, which conducts extensive fieldwork in the Eastern Desert, documenting rock art, ancient trade routes, and settlement patterns. His work has gained international attention through media coverage of discoveries like 4,000-year-old rock art depicting boats and cattle, which supports the 'Green Sahara' theory. Cooper actively engages with local communities in Sudan, incorporating indigenous knowledge into archaeological interpretations and ensuring research benefits the people whose heritage is being studied.
Cortney E. Chaffin is a Professor of Art History at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, specializing in early Chinese art and archaeology. Her research explores the materiality and spatiality of death in ancient China, focusing on hybrid animal imagery in funerary art and wayfinding symbols from the Warring States period. PhD in East Asian Languages and Civilizations, University of Pennsylvania MA in East Asian Languages and Civilizations, University of Pennsylvania BA in Art History, University of Michigan-Dearborn Her work examines fantastic hybrid animal imagery in early Chinese funerary contexts and the cultural significance of tomb sculptures. She investigates how spatial arrangements in burial sites reflect cosmological beliefs and how symbolic monsters mediate between human and spiritual realms. Recent publications analyze Chu region's zoomorphic art, Hanxi style tomb sculptures, and Buddhist art evolution. Her research spans from Shang dynasty sacrificial practices to Yuan dynasty cultural fusion, highlighting continuity and change in Chinese artistic traditions. 2018 University Leadership Mentor Award 2012 University Excellence in Teaching Award Dr. Chaffin contributes to public art history through Smarthistory as a Contributing Editor and co-hosts the podcast Of the Earth with Dr. Ellen Larson. She co-advises the Association of Art Historians and Scholars student organization.
Richard Murray Charles Janko is the Gerald F. Else Distinguished University Professor of Classical Studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He has held this prestigious position since 2011, having previously served as the Gerald F. Else Collegiate Professor of Classical Studies from 2002-2011. Before joining the University of Michigan, Professor Janko held academic positions at University College London (1995-2002), UCLA (1987-94), and Columbia University (1982-87). Professor Janko earned his B.A. in Classics (First Class) in 1976 and his M.A. and Ph.D. in 1980 from Trinity College, Cambridge, where his dissertation focused on 'Studies in the language of the Homeric Hymns and the dating of early Greek epic poetry' under the supervision of Dr. J. Chadwick. Professor Janko's research spans an impressively diverse range of fields within classical studies. His primary interests include Homer and early Greek epic poetry, Linear B and Aegean Bronze Age archaeology, Herculaneum papyri, ancient literary theory, ancient religion, and Presocratic philosophy. His work is characterized by a willingness to tackle challenging problems across disciplinary boundaries, often requiring mastery of multiple methodologies. His approach combines philological precision with archaeological insight and technological innovation, particularly in the reading of damaged ancient texts. Professor Janko has made significant contributions to our understanding of ancient literary criticism, the interpretation of difficult papyrological evidence, and the relationship between archaeological evidence and literary texts from antiquity. Professor Janko's publications reveal a consistent focus on reconstructing and interpreting ancient texts that have been damaged, lost, or misunderstood. His work on the Derveni Papyrus, Philodemus' On Poems , and Empedocles' On Nature demonstrates his exceptional skill in textual reconstruction and his ability to draw profound philosophical insights from fragmentary evidence. His research often bridges gaps between literary studies, philosophy, and archaeology, revealing connections that others have missed. Recent work has focused on early Greek alphabetic inscriptions, the interpretation of religious texts in antiquity, and the political context of philosophical thought in classical Athens. American Council of Learned Societies Fellowship, 2020 Foreign Member, Academy of Athens, Greece, 2017– Fulbright Scholar, Aristotelian University, Thessaloniki, Greece, Winter 2017 Elizabeth Whitehead Visiting Professor, American School of Classical Studies at Athens, 2013–14 Member, American Philosophical Society, 2009– Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2006– Goodwin Award for Merit, American Philological Association, 2002 Premio Theodor Mommsen, Italy, 2002 Professor Janko has directed several major collaborative projects, including the Crates Project (1996-9) and the Philodemus Translation Project (1992-5, renewed 1995-8), which received substantial funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities ($180,000 plus matching funds). His work has been consistently supported by prestigious fellowships including a Guggenheim Fellowship (1986-7), a Leverhulme Research Fellowship (1997-8), and membership at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (Fall 2000). Though the text doesn't explicitly list his advisees, his leadership of major research projects and his long academic career suggest significant mentoring of junior scholars. Professor Janko has been instrumental in the Philodemus Translation Project, which plays a major part in KBYU's documentary Out of the Ashes . He has developed innovative methods for reading and reconstructing Herculaneum papyri, including a detailed practical guide published in 2016. His work continues to push the boundaries of what can be recovered from damaged ancient texts, utilizing new technologies while maintaining rigorous philological standards.
Adem DUMLU is a full-time Lecturer at Kafkas University's Faculty of Tourism , specializing in Tourism Guidance . He holds a PhD (2023) and Master's (2015) in Ancient History from Atatürk University and Kafkas University, respectively. Education : PhD, Ancient History (2023), Atatürk University MSc, Ancient History (2015), Kafkas University BSc, Education (2009), Atatürk University Research Interests focus on Ancient Anatolian History , Urartian Civilization , and Ancient Near Eastern History , with fieldwork in archaeological surveys across Eastern Anatolia. Publications include analyses of Urartian inscriptions and Late Chalcolithic to Late Bronze Age settlements in Kars, alongside contributions to cultural tourism studies. Projects involve surface surveys in Iğdır, Kars, Erzurum, and Erzincan regions (2015–2021), exploring Karaz and Urartian period settlements. Collaborations include researchers like Mustafa Özdemir, Burak Bingöl, and Şahin siblings. Metrics : 2 citations, h-index 1, 8 projects, and 4 publications. Contributions to academic discourse include TR Dizin-indexed articles and a 2024 book on Kars region archaeology.
Sarah Morris is the Steinmetz Professor of Classical Archaeology and Material Culture at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), specializing in the interaction between Greece and its Eastern neighbors during the Bronze Age through classical periods. Her work spans art, literature, religion, and material culture, with a focus on field archaeology projects in Greece, Albania, Turkey, and Israel. Co-director of the Ancient Methone Archaeological Project (2014–2017) Director of the Lofkënd Archaeological Project in Albania Recipient of the James Wiseman Book Award (1993) for Daidalos and the Origins of Greek Art Her research explores prehistoric Greek archaeology, Near Eastern influences on Greek culture, Aegean agricultural systems, and the political and social dynamics of early Greek literature and art. She has contributed to debates on material culture's role in challenging text-centric historical narratives, particularly in understanding slavery, urbanization, and cross-cultural interactions. Recent publications analyze: Iron Age Aegean agriculture via stable isotope analysis (2025) Achaemenid expansion in the North Aegean (2023) Prehistoric burial practices in Methone and Albania (2023, 2007) Her teaching covers early Greek literature (Homer, Hesiod, Herodotus), Greek religion, and Bronze Age archaeology. She advocates for integrating material culture into history education to address gaps in textual records, particularly for marginalized populations like slaves.
Carola Liebe-Harkort is a Lecturer at Örebro University's Department of Health Sciences within the School of Health Sciences. Holding a PhD in Osteoarchaeology from Stockholm University (2010) and working as a registered nurse since 2017, she bridges clinical practice with archaeological research. She has taught at Stockholm, Lund, and Uppsala Universities, and currently manages nursing education programs while conducting research in palliative care as part of the RIPE research group. PhD in Osteoarchaeology (Stockholm University, 2010) Registered nurse (active since 2017) International MSF missions (2021-2022) in Greece and Lithuania Former osteologist in Pompeii (Swedish Pompeii Project), USA, and Gotland Her research focuses on dental pathology analysis in ancient populations (Early Iron Age, Roman Iron Age), with methodological studies comparing osteological and odontological caries assessment. She has analyzed Viking Age skeletons and contributed to archaeological reports on human remains and faunal material. Recent projects include ACTIVATE (interprofessional home care training) and RIPE's palliative care studies. Carola's archaeological work involved international collaborations with odontologists and police departments, while her nursing practice includes supervision of students in infection care, endocrinology, and orthopedics.
Brett Sanford Kaufman is an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, holding joint appointments in the Department of Classics, Department of Anthropology, Materials Research Lab, and School of Art and Design. He is also affiliated with the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies. Before joining UIUC, he served as a faculty member at the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) and held a postdoctoral fellowship at Brown University. He is the Managing Editor of the journal Advances in Archaeomaterials . Dr. Kaufman earned a BA from Brandeis University and MA/PhD degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His research focuses on the Middle East and North Africa from the Bronze Age to the present, integrating archaeological evidence with historical texts and Semitic inscriptions. Key areas include Israelite/Jewish heritage, Phoenician/Punic civilizations, and the evolution of democracy influenced by ancient Mediterranean governance systems. His work also spans engineering and design, particularly archaeometallurgy using materials science methods, and contextual engineering to bridge cultural understanding in technical fields. His advocacy mission emphasizes preserving academic freedom and combating misinformation in higher education. He has conducted fieldwork in Tunisia, China, Italy, Israel, and New York, leading excavations and developing models to study urban collapse and human-environment interactions. His grants include support from the National Science Foundation, National Geographic Society, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Dr. Kaufman’s interdisciplinary approach connects metallurgical studies with broader societal contexts, exploring topics like fuel efficiency of ancient alloys, metal circulation patterns in Zhou China, and the impact of colonial transitions on resource exploitation. He collaborates internationally and has contributed to policy discussions linking archaeological insights to modern environmental challenges.
Dan Davis is an Associate Professor of Classics at Luther College, specializing in classical archaeology and nautical archaeology. He teaches courses in ancient Greek, Latin, and classical studies, including archaeology, ancient science, and marine archaeology. His research focuses on ancient Mediterranean trade networks, underwater exploration, and maritime heritage preservation. Education: Ph.D., Classics (with distinction in Classical Archaeology), University of Texas at Austin, 2009 M.A., Nautical Archaeology, Texas A&M University, 2001 B.A., Classical Civilizations, University of Iowa, 1996 Research Interests: Davis leads major archaeological projects including the Caesarea Maritima Excavations and E/V Nautilus deep-sea surveys. His work documents ancient shipwrecks (e.g., Sinop I, Ereğli E) and recovers WWII aircraft for the Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). His research bridges classical studies with advanced technology, analyzing artifacts’ cultural, economic, and environmental contexts. Field Projects: Senior staff archaeologist at Caesarea City & Harbor Exploration Project (Vanderbilt/Luther collaboration) Marine archaeologist for Black Sea and Aegean shipwreck surveys (2008-2013) Scientific Recovery Expert for DPAA/Project Recover Teaching: Courses include Elementary Greek , Ancient Science , and Classics and Culture , integrating fieldwork and interdisciplinary approaches. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Vanderbilt University, University of Delaware, and international institutions. Involves Luther students in field expeditions and research.
Dr. Guy Middleton is a Lecturer at Northumbria University and Visiting Fellow at Newcastle University's School of History, Classics and Archaeology. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in recognition of his contributions to archaeological research. Research Interests: His scholarship focuses on collapse and transformation in ancient societies, particularly the Late Bronze Age Aegean and eastern Mediterranean. Additional research examines women in antiquity, urban resilience, and critical analysis of historical narratives. His work integrates archaeological evidence with historical interpretation. Research Publications: Recent books include 'Women in the Ancient Mediterranean World' (2023) and 'Collapse and Transformation' (2020). Articles critically examine collapse narratives, analyze urban resilience during transitional periods, and reconstruct social histories through material evidence. His work emphasizes agency and complexity in historical processes. Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Royal Historical Society Advising and Grants: No specific student advising information provided. Research has been supported by academic grants for archaeological and historical studies. Labs and Teams: Collaborates with international researchers on Mediterranean archaeology projects and historical network studies.
Guo Moruo (1892–1978) was a prominent Chinese scholar, writer, and government official. He served as President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and held influential roles during the Communist era. His academic work spanned literature, history, and archaeology, with notable contributions like Nü shen (1921), a pioneering collection of free verse poetry, and Liangzhou jinwenci daxi tulu kaoshi (1935), a seminal study of ancient Chinese inscriptions. Guo was a founding member of the Creation Society, a key literary group during the May Fourth Movement. His translations of Western classics, such as Goethe’s Sorrows of Young Werther , profoundly influenced Chinese intellectual circles. Politically active, he participated in the Northern Expedition and later became a loyal supporter of the Communist Party, though he faced persecution during the Cultural Revolution. Despite this, his vast literary output—spanning poetry, drama, historical treatises, and translations—remains a cornerstone of 20th-century Chinese intellectual history.
Jochen Hermann Vennebusch is a Researcher at the University of Hamburg's Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures, where he leads the project 'Epigraphies of the Corpus: Textual Negotiations of Sacred Power on Medieval Liturgical Artefacts'. His research examines the interplay between text, object, and devotion in medieval religious artifacts. Vennebusch investigates how inscriptions on liturgical objects like baptismal fonts, reliquaries, and candelabra mediated sacred power in late medieval Europe. His work connects material culture with theological concepts through detailed analysis of objects from German ecclesiastical collections, particularly focusing on Lübeck's church treasures.
Professor Dr. Kai Vogelsang leads research in Sinology at the University of Hamburg's Department of State and Society, focusing on Chinese manuscript traditions and historical linguistics. His work bridges ancient legal texts, administrative documents, and cultural preservation. Research domains include: Reconstruction of classical Chinese linguistic systems Analysis of dynastic administrative frameworks Conservation of fragile manuscript artifacts Comparative analysis of East Asian historiographies Publications emphasize philological rigor and material analysis of primary sources. Recent works explore textual transmission pathways and manuscript authentication methodologies. No awards or student mentorship details were documented.
Professor Dr. Dilyana Vassileva Boteva, Dr.Sc., is a prominent scholar specializing in ancient history and Thracian studies at the Faculty of History, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" since 2014. She maintains active academic engagement with regular office hours (Wednesday 5:00-7:00 pm) and participates in numerous research projects and international collaborations. Her academic journey includes: PhD in History (1994) Study with a Herder Fellowship at Vienna University (1990-1991) MA in History (Specialty "Ancient and Medieval History") from Sofia University (1980-1985) Second degree in English Language from Sofia University Professor Boteva's research focuses on the history and culture of the ancient Thracians, Thracian religion, semiotics of Thracian votive reliefs, Thracian provinces of the Roman Empire, Roman history during the 1st-3rd century AD, history of ancient Greece, and Thracia post-Antiqua. Her interdisciplinary approach combines historical analysis with semiotic interpretation of ancient texts and artifacts, particularly examining the visual language of Thracian religious practices. Her extensive publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output with particular emphasis on Thracian-Roman cultural interactions, the religious practices of the Thracian provinces, and iconographic analysis of votive reliefs. Her work often bridges historical analysis with archaeological evidence, creating a more comprehensive understanding of ancient Thracian society and its integration into the Roman imperial framework. Her scientific recognition includes: Annual award for a young researcher in Humanities from Sofia University (1989) Honorary member of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Arts Member of the Executive Board of Humboldt Union in Bulgaria Member of the Bulgarian section of La Fédération Internationale des Associations d'Études Classiques Professor Boteva has successfully coordinated and participated in multiple research projects, including the bilateral Bulgaria-Austria project "The Scythica Vindobonensia and the Gothic raids of the mid-third century AD" (2017-2019), and currently contributes to the "Heritage BG" Center of Excellence. Her international collaborations include specialized research stays at Vienna University, Humboldt University in Berlin, and various institutions in Germany and Greece.
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Behr is a Professor of Sinology at the University of Zurich since 2008 and Institutsdirektor (Institute Director) since 2023. He has held academic positions at Goethe University Frankfurt (1991–1997), Ruhr University Bochum (1998–2008), and visiting roles at Chinese University Hong Kong (2014) and Jao Tsung-I Academy (2017). As Prodekan Forschung (2018–2022) and Senior Visiting Fellow at Kyoto University (2022), he bridges administrative and research roles. Education : Magister (1991), Ph.D. (1997), and Habilitation (2008) from institutions in Germany and China, focusing on Sanskrit-Chinese lexicon, Bronze inscriptions, and early cultural history. His research interests span Old Chinese phonology , etymology , paleography , and Sino-Tibetan comparative linguistics . He explores external contacts of Old/Middle Chinese, dialectology, cultural history, and the epistemological foundations of historical linguistics beyond Eurocentric frameworks. Additional focuses include early Chinese brain concepts, non-alphabetic writing systems, and experimental literary translation. Recent publications analyze phonological variation , lexical borrowing , and metrical evolution in Early China. He co-edits journals like Bulletin of Chinese Linguistics and Worlds of East Asia , and serves on boards for Old World: Journal of Ancient Africa and Études Asiatiques . As a leader in academic associations—including European Association for Chinese Studies (Executive Board), Swiss Asia Society (President), and Li Fang-kuei Society (Board of Directors)—he shapes disciplinary discourse. Current Ph.D. co-supervisions address topics like Sino-Iranian lexical exchange and early Chinese versification .
