• Human evolution and hominid ecology
• Paleoanthropology
• Mammal (palaeo-) biogeography
• Mammal palaeobiology
• Island evolution

since April 2008 scientific researcher for Paleobiology at Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften at the Research Centre „The role of culture in early expansions of humans“ at the Senckenberg Research Institute, Frankfurt am Main.

2002-2008 scientific researcher in the Vertebrate Paleobiology Group at the Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Department of Biosciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main.

since 2002 teaching expertise in classes on Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates, Vertebrate Paleobiology, Human Evolution, Mammalian (Paleo)Biogeography, Island Evolution at Goethe University, University of Tübingen, Institute Paléontologie Humain (Paris) and others.

2004-2007 coordinator of the research activities and scientific researcher in the HOPSea network (Human Origins Patrimony in South-East Asia) at the Frankfurt university in collaboration with the Institute Paléontologie Humain / Paris, Naturalis / Leiden, National Museum and University of the Philippines Diliman / Manila, and Institut Teknologi Bandung / Bandung.

2002-2007 scientific researcher for biology in the Junior Research Group „Demographic Trends, Needs and Supply Systems“ in the priority programme on Social Ecological Research in collaboration with the Institute for Social-ecological research, Frankfurt am Main.

2001 Scientific Coordinator of paleontological excavations at the Miocene Locality Eppelsheim on behalf of the Landessammlung für Naturkunde, Mainz.

2000 Dissertation in Biology (Dr. phil. nat.), University of Frankfurt. 1996-2000 Research assistant in the Department for Paleoanthropology, Senckenberg Research Institute, Frankfurt am Main.

1994 Diploma in Biology (Zoology, Anthropology/Human Genetics, Psychology), University of Frankfurt.

2026

Lomborg, K., Cucart-Mora, C., Reschke, J.-O., Hertler, C., Grove, M.,  Saqalli, M., Gaudout, B.,  Moncel, M.-H. (2026): Changing movements in a changing world: Modelling Early and early Middle Pleistocene climatic and ecological environments and influences on hominin dispersal in Eurasia. Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology 9(1): 66-88. https://doi.org/10.5334/jcaa.212

Reschke, J.-O., Cucart-Mora, C., Lomborg, K., Hertler C., Saqalli, M., Grove, M., Moncel, M.-H. (2026): Subsistence Strategies in Agent-Based Models of Foraging Hominins: State of the Art and Challenges. Journal of Computer Applications in Archaeology 9(1): 135-150. https://doi.org/10.5334/jcaa.211 

Moncel, M.H., Cucart-Mora, C., Arzarello, M., Ashton, N., Baena, J., Barsky, D., de la Torre, I., Galanidou, N., Garcia-Medrano, P., Hertler, C., Herzlinger, G., Li, H., Mosquery, M., Ollé, A., Pappu, S., Pei, S., Sharon, G., Tian, C., Wang, W., Bae, C. J. (2026). What is the Acheulean? Evolutionary Anthropology 35: e70029. https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.70029 

2025

Hertler, C., van der Geer, A., Puspaningrum, M.R., Anwar, I. P., Reschke, J.O., Hölzchen, E. (2025): Stegodon SEA-crossing: Swim, Shrink, and Disperse. Earth History and Biodiversity 4: 100026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hisbio.2025.100026. 

Jiangzuo, Q.G., van der Geer, A., Volmer, R., Hertler, C., Li, S.J., Guo, D.G., Wang, S.Q., Deng, T. (2025): A dwarf Megantereon from the Sangiran complex of Java (Indonesia: late Early Pleistocene) and its biogeographic implications. Journal of Mammalian Evolution 32:29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10914-025-09771-6. 

Quy, T.T.K., Hertler, C., Nguyen, K.T.K., Piper, P.J. (2025): Diversified Subsistence Strategies in Early Sedentary Populations of Mainland Southeast Asia: Insights from the Faunal Remains at Lò Gach, southern Vietnam. Archaeological Research in Asia. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-025-02295-3

Sukumaran, P., Hertler, C., Chauhan, P. R. (2025). Animals, environments and humans: diverse perspectives from the Quaternary. Quaternary Environments and Humans 3(2025): 100079.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.qeh.2025.100079.

Hertler, C., Tablizo, M., Reschke, J.-O. (2025): SEAcross ABM v.1.1. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15607919. 

2024

Gruwier, B., de Vos, J., Wirkner, M., Hertler, C. & Kovarovic, K. (2024): Diversity, population structure and palaeoecology of the Pleistocene large cervids from the Padang Highlands, Sumatra. In: Louys, J., Albers, P., van der Geer, A. (eds): Quaternary Paleontology and Archaeology of Sumatra. ANU Press, Canberra. Terra Australis 56: 121-143. DOI: 10.22459/TA56.2024.06.

Puspaningrum, M.R., Hertler, C., Bruch, A., Anwar, I.P., Hölzchen, E, Krüger, S., Hascaryo, A.T., Reschke, J.-O. (2024): Living in Sangiran: A Spatial Reconstruction of Hominin Environment in Java at 1 Ma. Earth History and Biodiversity 1: 100001. DOI: 10.1016/j.hisbio.2024.100001.

Reschke, J.O., Hertler, C., Krüger, S. (2024): Early Hominins: successful hunters, catchers, or scavengers? An agent-based model about hunting strategies to acquire meat in tropical grasslands. Quaternary Environments and Humans, 2: 100019. DOI: 10.1016/j.qeh.2024.100019.

Reschke, J.O., Krüger, S.,  Hertler, C. (2024). ForeGatherer Model v2.0 (v1.0). Zenodo. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10853340.

2023

Giemsch, L., Hertler, C. (2023): Makuyuni. In: Beyin, A., Wright D.K., Wilkins, J., Olszewski, D.I. (eds.): Handbook of Pleistocene Archaeology of Africa. Vol.2, pp. 11065-1116. Springer.

Kandel, A.W., Sommer, C., Kanaeva, Z., Bolus, M., Bruch, A.A., Groth, C., Haidle, M.N., Hertler, C., Heß,J., Malina, M., Märker, M., Hochschild, V., Conard, N.J., Schrenk, F., Mosbrugger, V. (2023): The ROCEEH Out of Africa Database (ROAD): An indispensable Research Tool for Quaternary Scientists. PLoS One 18(8): e0289513. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289513.

Kubat, J., Nava, A., Bondioli, L., Dean, M.C., Zanolli, C., Bourgon, N ., Bacon, A.-M., Demeter, F., Peripoli, B., Albert, R., Lüdecke, T., Hertler, C., Mahoney, P., Kullmer, O., Schrenk, F., Müller, W. (2023): Dietary strategies of Pleistocene Pongo sp. and Homo erectus on Java (Indonesia). Nature Ecology and Evolution. DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01947-0.

Reschke, J.-O., Hertler, C., Puspaningrum, M.R., Krüger, S. (2023): ForeGatherer Model v1.0 (v1.0). Zenodo. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7736326.

Rodríguez, J., Hölzchen, E., Caso, A.I., Berndt, J.O., Hertler, C., Timm, I.J., Mateos, A. (2023): Computer simulation of scavenging by hominins and giant hyenas in the late Early Pleistocene. Nature Scientific Reports 13. 14283. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39776-1.

2022

Hertler, C., Reschke, J.-O., Hölzchen, E., Anwar, I.P., Puspaningrum, M.R-. Büscher, N., Ngetich, E.K. (2022): SEAcross ABM V1.0 (1.0). Zenodo. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6833780.

Hertler, C. and the ROCEEH Team (2022): The Map Module for the ROAD database. In: Kandel, A.W., Haidle, M.N., Sommer, C. (eds): Human Origins - Digital Future: An International Conference about the Future of Archaeological and Palaeoanthropological Databases. Propylaeum, Heidelberg, pp.43-44.

Hölzchen, E, Hertler, C., Wilmes, C., Anwar, I.P., Mateos, A., Rodríguez, J., Berndt, J.O. & Timm, I.J. (2022): Estimating crossing success of human agents across sea straits out of Africa in the Late Pleistocene. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 590, 110845. DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2022.110845.

2021

Bolus, M., Bruch, A., Haidle, M., Hertler, C., Heß, J., Kanaeva, Z., Kandel, A., Malina, M. & Sommer, C. (2021): Durch die Menschheitsgeschichte mit dem neuen ROAD Summary Data Sheet. Archäologische Informationen 43, 413.

Bolus, M., Bruch, A., Haidle, M., Hertler, C., Heß, J., Kanaeva, Z., Kandel, A., Malina, M. & Sommer, C. (2021): Explore the history of humanity with the new ROAD Summary Data Sheet. Archäologische Informationen 43, 413-414.

Hölzchen, E., Hertler, C., Mateos, A., Rodriguez, J., Berndt, J.O. & Timm, I.J. (2021): Discovering the opposite shore: How did hominins cross sea straits?. PLoS One 16(6), e0252885. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252885.

2020

Bolus, M., Bruch, A., Haidle, M.H., Hertler, C., Heß, J., Kanaeva, Z., Kandel, A.W., Malina, M. & Sommer, C. (2020): Explore the history of humanity with the new ROAD Summary Data Sheet. MGfU 29, 145-147. DOI: 10.51315/mgfu.2020.29008.

Haidle, M. N., Bolus, M., Bruch, A. A., Hertler, C., Hochschild, V., Kanaeva, Z., Sommer, C. & Kandel, A. W. (2020): Human Origins—Digital Future, an international conference about the future of archeological and paleoanthropological databases. Evolutionary Anthropology. DOI: 10.1002/evan.21870

2019

Wirkner, M. & Hertler, C. (2019): Feeding ecology of Late Pleistocene Muntiacus muntjak in the Padang Highlands (Sumatra). Comptes rendus Palevol 18 (5)    541-554. Elsevier Masson SAS. DOI: 10.1016/j.crpv.2019.03.004

2018

Giemsch, L., Hertler, C., Märker, M., Quénéhervé, G., Saanane, C. &  Schrenk, F. (2018): Acheulean Sites at Makuyuni (Lake Manyara,  Tanzania): Results of Archaeological Fieldwork and Classification of the Lithic Assemblages. African Archaeological Review, DOI: 10.1007/s10437-018-9284-4.

Bachofer, F., Quénéhervé, G., Hertler, C., Giemsch, L., Hochschild, V. & Maerker, M. (2018): Paleoenvironmental Research in the Semiarid Lake Manyara Area, Northern Tanzania: A Synopsis. In: C. Siart, M. Forbriger, O. Bubenzer (eds.), Digital Geoarchaeology. New Techniques for Interdisciplinary Human-Environmental Research. Cham: Springer, 123-138.

2017

Volmer, R., Hölzchen, E., Wurster, A., Ferreras, M. R. & Hertler, C. (2017): Did Leopards (Panthera pardus) become extinct because of competition for prey? Modelling interspecific competition within the Late Pleistocene carnivore guild of the Padang Highlands, Sumatra. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 487, 175-186. DOI 10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.08.032.

2016

Rodríguez, J., Mateos, A., Hertler, C. & Palombo, M.R. (2016) (volume eds): The power of models: Mathematical approaches to the study of human-fauna interactions in the Pleistocene. Quaternary International. 413, 2-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2016.09.005.

Rodríguez, J., Mateos, A., Hertler, C. & Palombo, M.R. (2016): Modelling human presence and environmental dynamics during the Mid-Pleistocene Revolution: New approaches and tools. Quaternary International 393, 19-23. DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2015.06.003.
Volmer, R. & Hertler, C. (2016): The effect of competition on shared food resources in carnivore guilds. Quaternary International 413,32-43. DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2015.11.054.

Timm, I.J., Lorig, F., Hölzchen, E. & Hertler, C. (2016): Multi-Scale Agent-Based Simulation of Long-Term Dispersal Processes: Challenges in Modeling Hominin Biogeography and Expansion. In: Barceló, J.A., Del Castillo, F. (eds.) Simulating Prehistoric and Ancient Worlds. Springer, Cham, 141-159.

Hölzchen, E., Hertler, C., Timm, I. & Lorig, F. (2016): Evaluation of Out of Africa hypotheses by means of agent-based modelling. Quaternary International413, Part B, 78-90. DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2015.11.022.

Volmer, R., Hertler, C. & van der Geer, A. (2016): Niche overlap and competition potential among tigers (Panthera tigris), sabertothed cats (Homotherium ultimum, Hemimachairodus zwierzyckii) and Merriam's Dog (Megacyon merriami) in the Pleistocene of Java. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 441, 901-911. DOI: 10.11016/j.palaeo2015.10039.

Rodríguez, J., Mateos, A., Hertler, C. & Palombo, M.-R. (2016): Modelling human presence and environmental dynamics during the Mid-Pleistocene Revolution: new approaches and tools. Quaternary International 393, 19-23. DOI: 10.1016/j.quaint.2015.06.003.

2015

Steigerwald, S., Haidle, M.N., Bruch, A.A. & Hertler, C. (2015): Conference report: Expansions 2015, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 13-17 July 2015. Mitteilungen der Gesellschaft für Urgeschichte 24, 175-178.

Kandel, A.W., Bolus, M., Bretzke, K., Bruch, A.A., Haidle, M.N., Hertler, C. & Märker, M. (2015):  Increasing Behavioral Flexibility? An Integrative Macro-Scale Approach to Understanding the Middle Stone Age of Southern Africa. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 23(2), 623-668. DOI: 10.1007/s10816-015-9254-y.

2014

Hertler, C., Bruch, A.A. & Märker, M. (2014): Ecospace — der ökologische Raum von Hominiden. Senckenberg - natur forschung museum 144 (7/8), 262-265.
Schrenk, F. & Hertler, C. (2014): Ursprung und Ausbreitung früher Menschen. In: Trümpler, C., Ich sehe wunderbare Dinge 100 Jahre Sammlungen der Goethe-Universität, 286-287.

2013

Hertler, C., Bruch, A.A. & Märker, M. (2013): The earliest stages of hominin dispersal in Africa and Eurasia. In: Bellwood, P. (Ed.): Encyclopedia of Global Human Migration. Vol. 1. Wiley Blackwell, pp. 1-9.

2012

Hertler, C. & Palombo, M.-R. (2012): Linked Effects of Climate Change, Orbital Forcing, Tectoonics and biotic interaction: A research agenda for studying faunal evolution and hominin dispersal patterns. Quaternary International 279-280, 196.

Bolus, M. & Hertler, C. (2012): Jenseits von Afrika. Archäologie in Deutschland 4/2012, 22-23.

Kandel, A.W. & Hertler, C. (2012): Homo sapiens … „wo noch nie zuvor ein Mensch gewesen ist“. Archäologie in Deutschland 4/2012, 28-29.

2011

Märker, M. & Hertler, C. (2011): Arachaeological site prediction and landscape reconstruction in the Lake Manyara area, Northern Tanzania. Proceedings on Computer Applications and Quantitative Modelling in Archaeology 2011.

Paudayal, K.N., Panthee, S. & Hertler, C. (2011): A bovid specimen from Late Pleistocene deposits in the Kathmandu Basin, Nepal. Journal of Stratigraphic Association of Nepal 7, 9-14.

2010

Haidle, M.N., Bolus, M., Bruch, A.A., Hertler, C., Kandel, A.W., Märker, M., Conard, N.J., Hochschild, V., Schrenk, F. & Mosbrugger, V. (2010): The role of culture in early expansions of humans – A new research center. Quaternary International 223-224,429-430.

Gutmann, M., Hertler, C. & Schrenk, F. (2010): Der Mensch als Gegenstand der Paläoanthropologie und das Problem der Szenarien. In: Gerhardt, V. & Nida-Rümelin, J. (eds) Evolution in Natur und Kultur. de Gruyter, Berlin, pp. 135-162.

Märker, M., Bachofer, F., Quénéhervé, G., Hertler, C., Sanaane, C., Giemsch, L. & Thiemeyer, H. (2010): Modelling the spatial distribution of Paleontological sites in the Makuyuni region, Tanzania. In: Melero, F.J., Cano, P., Revelles, J. (eds.) Fusion of Cultures. Abstracts of the XXXVIII Conference on Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology, 147-150.

Kaiser, T., Seiffert, C., Hertler, C., Fiedler, L., Schwartz, H.L., Frost, S.R., Giemsch, L., Bernor, R.L., Wolf, D., Semprebon, G., Nelson, S.V., Schrenk, F., Harvati, K., Bromage, T.G. & Saanane, C. (2010): Makuyuni, a new Lower Palaeolithic Hominid Site in Tanzania. Mitteilungen des Hamburgischen Zoologischen Museum und Institut 106, 69-110.

Mishra, S., Gaillard, C., Hertler, C., Moigne, A.-M. & Simanjuntak, T. (2010): India and Java: Contrasting records, intimate connections. Quaternary International 223-224, 265-270.

2009

Hertler, C. (2009): Wandlungen in den Beziehungen zwischen Menschen und ihrer Umwelt. In: D. Bandini, U. Kronauer (eds.) Früchte vom Baum des Wissens. 100 Jahre Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften. Eine Festschrift der wissenschaftlichen Mitarbeiter. Universitätsverlag Winter, Heidelberg, 43-47.

2008

Hertler, C. (2008): Modeling food supply and demongraphy in prehistoric human populations. In: Hummel, D. (ed.): Population Dynamics and Supply Systems, campus, Frankfurt/Main, 73-98.

Hertler, C. & Volmer, R. (2008): Assessing prey competition in fossil carnivore communities - a scenario for prey competition and its evolutionary consequences for tigers in Pleistocene Java. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 257 (1–2), 67–80.

Hertler, C., de Vos, J. & Bautista, A. (2008): Dwarfing and gigantism. In: Sémah, A.M., Setiagama, K., Sémah, F., Détroit, F., Grimaud-Hervé, D., Hertler, C. (eds.) First Islanders – Human Origines Patrimony in Southeast Asia.  Exhibition Catalogue, 76-80.

Hertler, C. (2008): Jenseits von Afrika – Expansionen früher Menschen. In: Müller, H.A. (ed.) Evolution: Woher und Wohin? Vandenhoek und Ruprecht, Stuttgart, 110-119.

Project participants:
Marie-Hélène Moncel, Paris, France (project leader)
Carolina Cucart-Mora, Paris, France (coordinator of the modeling team)
Harry Hall, Liverpool, UK
Kamilla Lomborg, Toulouse, France
Jan-Olaf Reschke, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
Christine Hertler, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
Matt Grove, Liverpool, UK
Mehdi Saqalli, Toulouse, France