Institute of Near Eastern Archaeology
Archaeology?
Archaeology is a highly fascinating and versatile, but at the same time labour-intensive, subject that is divided into individual disciplines according to region and chronology. What all archaeological disciplines have in common is their basic approach to explore ancient cultures on the basis of both their material remains - mostly finds beneath the surface - and sometimes also their still visible structures of buildings. In the winter term of 2009/10, the five archaeological subjects of the LMU (apart from Near Eastern Archaeology these are Prehistoric and Early Medieval Archaeology, Archaeology of the Roman Provinces, Classical Archaeology and Byzantine Art History) created a common BA-course of studies: “Archaeology - Europe and the Near East”, which embraces this common methodical basis and conveys the students a broad basic knowledge of all these individual disciplines and thus provides an excellent basis for the students’ career choice and practical work. Furthermore, the BA-programe of studies “Ancient Near East” offers the opportunity to focus on this region and its cultural history.
Near Eastern Archaeology!
Near Eastern Archaeology (also referred to as Archaeology and Cultural History of the Near Orient, Ancient Oriental Archaeology or Near Eastern Ancient Studies) explores the cultures of the Ancient Near East, starting with the sedentism of people in the 10th century B.C. and ending with the islamisation of the region (7th century A.D.). Our sphere of interest is delimitated by the Mediterranean Sea, the Caucasus, the Middle Asian Steppes and the Indian Ocean. The focus of these courses of studies, however, has always been on the cultures of the Old Mesopotamia from the 3rd to the 1st century B.C.
Our Institute in Munich
Our institute was founded in 1970. On the occasion of its 50th year of existence, we have compiled an anniversary publication. The institute of the LMU has remained the only one of its kind in Bavaria until today. Barthel Hrouda held the professorship until 1994, succeeded by Michael Roaf until 2013. The current full professor is Prof. Dr. Adelheid Otto.
Current research projects and projects for cultural heritage protection in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Jordan and the Georgian Reublic offer students the opportunity to participate. More information on former research and excavation projects can be found in the aforementioned 50-year anniversary publication, as well as under Research.
Our institute closely cooperates with the Institute for Assyriology and Hittitology, which manifests itself by commonly organised lectures, series of speeches and excursions.
In addition, our institute participates in projects of the following institutions: the Munich Centre for Antique Worlds (MZAW) and the ArchaeoBioCenter.