Research focus "sustainability"

Sustainability is also a central topic in classical studies. Researchers examine how resources were used in antiquity, responses to ecological crises, and the preservation of cultural heritage—all of which provide inspiration for dealing with the challenges of our time. Sustainability is also a relevant research topic in classical studies. Among other things, researchers examine how resources were used, how people reacted to ecological crises, and issues of cultural heritage.

GKM members Prof. Dr. Hans Beck (Ancient History), Prof. Dr. Achim Lichtenberger (Classical Archaeology), and Prof. Dr. Angelika Lohwasser (Egyptology) are currently contributing the following research areas: historical regional studies and settlement archaeology in the ancient Mediterranean region, ancient communication routes and cultures far from centers;

In our exhibition “WeltWeitUnverzichtbar. Kleine Fächer für große Themen” ("Small disciplines - huge potentials") at the Archaeological Museum of the University of Münster, sustainability was the focus, along with migration and communication. There is an exhibition catalog and digital insights.

In the winter semester of 2024/25, we offered the public lecture series “Archaeology and the Environment: Ancient Societies and Their Living Conditions.”

In June 2025, the theme of the month was “Energy and the Future.” It focused on the sustainable reuse of artifacts and ancient forms of energy.

Since 2025, the Archaeological Museum has also had a display case on the topic of “sustainability.”

 

• Blog post by Hans Beck “Too little water, too much water – resilience in ancient Greece” [de]
• Blog post by Achim Lichtenberger “Why do cities die? Insights from archaeology on the conditions for resilience” [de]
• Publication in PLoS ONE from Achim Lichtenberger et al.: A Roman provincial city and its contamination legacy
• Digital insights into the exhibition “Small disciplines - huge potentials”