Duration: 1986 to 2006

The research center focuses on the development and application of scientific analytical 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 firing for fired artifacts and the age of deposition for sediments. This allows for the dating of ceramics, bricks, ovens, hearths, archaeological sediments, continental Quaternary sediments, volcanic ash deposits, and sinter limestone.

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

Chair of the Commission:

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

Head of the Research Unit:

Prof. Dr. Günther A. Wagner

Employees:

• Assistant Professor Dr. U.A. Glasmacher
• Dr. S. Greilich
• Dr. A. Kadereit
• Dr. C. Woda
• C. Eichstädter
• S. Lindauer
• K. Carriere