Duration: 1986 to 2006

The research project focuses on the development and application of scientific investigative methods for archaeological and cultural-historical topics, with a particular emphasis on physical dating and Holocene landscape reconstruction. Luminescence can be used to determine the time of heating for fired artifacts and the age of deposition for sediments. This enables the dating of ceramics, bricks, ovens, hearths, archaeosediments, continental Quaternary sediments, volcanic ash layers, and sintered limestone.

In particular, dating the last exposure of rock surfaces has broad archaeological application potential. The range of applications extends from the Paleolithic through the Middle Ages. The dating of sediments—in conjunction with geoscientific and archaeological methods—enables the reconstruction of the landscape around ancient settlement sites. Human interventions in the ecosystem—particularly in the form of soil erosion—since the onset of the productive economy in the Neolithic period can be quantified over time and correlated with cultural development. Examples include landscapes in southwestern Germany and the Aegean region.

Chair of the Commission:

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Egon Althaus

Director of the Research Center:

Prof. Dr. Günther A. Wagner

Staff:

• Priv. Doz. Dr. U.A. Glasmacher
• Dr. S. Greilich
• Dr. A. Kadereit
• Dr. C. Woda
• C. Eichstädter
• S. Lindauer
• K. Carriere