Geoarchaeology

The Geoarchaeology Group at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz is part of the Institute of Geosciences.

The group’s major scientific interests are

  • Archaeology of ancient water supply systems, specifically in the Mediterranean
  • Archeological and palaeo-environmental research on carbonate deposits in ancient water systems
  • Technological advances in the ancient world
  • Geological understanding in the Roman and Greek world

Methods we commonly employ in our research include

  • Microstructural, textural, and image analysis based on optical and electron microscope datasets (EBSD, EPMA, TEM)
  • Stable isotope analysis (Mainly O and C)
  • LA- ICP-MS
  • prompt gamma-activation analysis, trace elements
  • field analysis of ancient water systems