Institute
Following a merger in 2019, the Institute of Classical and Byzantine Archaeology has represented two disciplines: the archaeology of what are traditionally called the Classical cultures of Greece and Rome, expanded in Heidelberg to include their prehistoric Minoan-Mycenaean phases (Aegean Bronze Age), together with the archaeology of Byzantium, the (Eastern) Roman Empire which endured into the Middle Ages. We are thus ideally positioned to adopt a longue durée perspective on the regions and materials under study. Moreover, Heidelberg is unusual for the high concentration of other disciplines focused on the ancient world (Classical Philology, Ancient History, Pre- and Protohistory, Egyptology, Papyrology, Near Eastern Archaeology, and Assyriology), which fosters an atmosphere of interdisciplinary exchange.
With its substantial staff and world-class specialized library, the Heidelberg Institute ranks among the major centers of its kind in Germany. It boasts a distinguished history - stretching back to Georg Friedrich Creuzer, a prominent figure in “Romantic” classical studies, and Karl Bernhard Stark, under whom the archaeological institute was founded in 1866, and extending to a more recent era when, under the leadership of Tonio Hölscher (1975–2009), it exerted immense influence on the redefinition of Classical Archaeology as a discipline breaking free from its Classicist legacy. Our primary concern now is the future of archaeology. How can the cultural heritage of ancient Greece, Rome, and Byzantium, as encountered in museums, excavation sites, and archaeological landscapes, be mobilised to address issues of contemporary relevance? What contribution can the study of material remains (including "art") make within our predominantly text-based academic culture?
At a glance
Opening hours
Table
Library: Non-lecture period: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Secretariat: | Due to the renovation, the Collection of Classical Antiquities is currently available for use only to a limited extent. However, visits can be arranged upon request for interested individuals, school classes, art courses, and other groups. Guided tours are offered in German and English for university groups and schools. Please schedule an appointment well in advance by emailing the curator, Dr. Polly Lohmann . | The CMS is available to all interested researchers. Please schedule an appointment well in advance by emailing Dr. Maria Anastasiadou. |
Links
Confidential guides and mental health
The health and well-being of our Institute members are very important to us. Members of the university can turn to the designated contact persons at our Institute and the university in cases of discrimination, bullying, stalking, harassment, or conflict.
