About us
The Research Center Ancient Worlds Studies and Archaeologies (AWOSA) aims to intensify and internationalize interdisciplinary cooperation and the exchange of historical, philological and archaeological subjects not only among themselves but also with other disciplines such as natural sciences (chemistry, biology, geology, etc.) and socio-cultural sciences such as contemporary history, oriental studies, ethnology, etc.., with the aim of addressing current issues and problems and developing and implementing appropriate methods and proposals for solutions (as well as very concrete research projects).
Based on the already successful cooperation of archaeological, philological and historical disciplines, AWOSA sees itself as a trans- and interdisciplinary competence centre oriented towards the ancient and prehistoric worlds, which unites both text and material sciences under one roof and, in addition to a concentrated occupation with the ancient worlds in the broader sense, also directs a special focus on questions of reception and the history of ideas.
With AWOSA, existing capacities and research activities are to be further expanded and made internationally visible. At the same time, AWOSA defines itself as an essential component of the research focus Cultural Encounters - Cultural Conflicts, which gives additional depth to the questions dealt with and developed there through its bundled competencies in philological, historical and archaeological research issues. In the context of the future activities of the FZ AWOSA, central impulses are also to be developed in the field of basic research of the research focus, for example in the context of research projects such as "The Ancient Mediterranean World and its Neighbours as a Common Preglobal Transaction World", "Antiquity as the Beginning of the 'European Special Route' (Westerness)" or the "Reception of Antiquity in Modernity and Neolatin". As far as new approaches and theory building are concerned, AWOSA sees itself as the research leader in the FSP Laboratory "Historicity and Materiality".
In addition, AWOSA aims to set a course in the broad field of international scientific cooperation. Although the research centre is located in the former Centre for Ancient Cultures, AWOSA would like to invite all colleagues of the LFU from the respective neighbouring disciplines who are interested in participating to take part. In this sense, the research centre sees itself as a contact point and hub, an exchange for information and an open discussion platform for the development of forward-looking interdisciplinary research.
Another important concern of the research centre is the promotion of young scientists, especially from an interdisciplinary point of view. This is reflected not least in the concept of a Master's degree course "Ancient Worlds and Archaeologies", which has been jointly and interdisciplinary discussed since 2016, and involves the subjects of Prehistory and Early History, Ancient History, Languages and Cultures of the Ancient Orient, Near Eastern Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Provincial Roman Archaeology, Medieval and Modern Archaeology, which - probably from the academic year 2019/2020 - can be completed in seven specializations. In addition, numerous joint events (lecture series, congresses) are already taking place under the umbrella of AWOSA.
The current situation in university politics and academia shows more and more clearly that such overarching questions with a multidimensional focus and interdisciplinary approaches are becoming more and more relevant to society and thus also to attention and promotion. Within this framework, AWOSA would like to position itself as a brand on the international academic market in the medium term and at the same time set new accents in the context of student education.
The Departments involved in the AWOSA Research Center
Department of Ancient History and Ancient Oriental Studies
Department of Language and Literature - Greek and Latin Studies