Our books need to be turned regularly. I can't leave a book open at the same page for five years, otherwise […] everything will disappear.

In this episode, Pina and Christoph present the treasures curated by Dr. Jan Graefe at the Bible Museum of the University of Münster and the challenges he faces in doing so.

He explains how the museum manages to balance the Bible as both a religious and a scientific object, why the Institute for New Testament Textual Research is closely connected to the museum, and what it means for the exhibition that only one page of a Bible can be displayed in a showcase at a time.

Exhibition highlights include – certainly not only for Jan Graefe – a Luther Bible with a dedication from the Reformer in his final days, a Sumerian clay tablet from the 2nd millennium BC, and a brick from the Tower of Babel.

Ich bin ein sehr visueller Mensch und lerne am besten, wenn ich Dinge sehe ... und das ist das Schöne am Museum.

In this episode, Pina Klemme and Christoph Müller discuss how the museum is embedded in research, teaching and transfer at the university. Their guests are Helge Nieswandt, long-time curator of the Archaeological Museum at the University of Münster, and Saskia Erhardt, curator of the current special exhibition ‘Body.Cult.Religion’.

The question of the provenance of an object has also been a focus of research at the Archaeological Museum in recent years. Do exhibits actually belong to someone else and how do the museum team and the university deal with this?

Biblical archaeology is an independent archaeological discipline.

In this episode, Kim Renzel and Trixi Steil explain how interdisciplinary ‘Biblical Archaeology’ works. In conversation with Junior Professor Dr Katharina Schmidt, they find out what this subject has to do with the Bible and why it is often referred to as the ‘archaeology of the Levant’.

And then Katharina Schmidt gives exciting insights into her excavation project at the citadel of Amman (Jordan), which started in summer 2024. In this episode, you can find out why the discovery of two larger-than-life double-faced women is so significant. 

The human body itself actually represents a source from which information can be extracted.

"Body modifications" is certainly quite an extraordinary topic, which Lukas Kerk is exploring in his PhD project.

In this episode, Kim and Pina introduce the guest from the Institut of Prehistory and Early History and focus on a field that covers roughly 99% of human history, relying not on written but on material sources.

They also delve into the question of whether Ötzi's tattoos really had a medical purpose. This is often assumed in research, as they are located on body parts commonly associated with ailments, such as the back, knees, and ankles.

• Press release of the University of Münster on the occasion of the special issue ‘Körperkult’ of the journal ‘Archäologie in Deutschland’ edited by Lukas Kerk

We want to gain knowledge about people in the past, and sometimes the unspectacular finds are the best for this purpose.

Prof Dr Janoscha Kreppner has been involved in various excavation projects in Syria and Iraq for thirty years. Lotta Dümeland and Pina Klemme trace the stages of his research in a less than peaceful region, where there is still a lot of uncharted territory for archaeology. The conversation reveals once again that the periphery was not as insignificant as researchers had long assumed. Janoscha Kreppner shows how collaboration with the natural sciences and the use of digital technology make more precise results possible.

But how do laser scanners and drones get through customs and how do you get electricity for the equipment in the Zagros Mountains?

When you're abroad, you always assume that you'll adapt to the culture you're in. But the opposite is the case: you are much more likely to engage with your own culture.

In this episode, Natalie and Felix follow Dr INES WEINRICH's field research on religious chants. They find out to what extent the combination of Arabic studies, Islamic studies and ethnomusicology enables new scientific approaches. You will explore the question of why many areas of Arab-Islamic culture have been characterised by steady decline and decay for so long after the "Golden Age" and what effects this has had on the study of a huge cultural area from Morocco to Indonesia. Finally, Ms Weinrich will present her new research project, which she is working on together with the Southeast Asian scholar Dr Ophira Gamliel (Glasgow) and in which she is investigating origin legends that originated on the Indian Malabar Coast and are still shared by various religious communities there to this day.

• Hindu-Muslim-Jewish Origin Legends in Circulation between the Malabar Coast and the Mediterranean, 1400s–1800s

Are we really looking for a city center ... or a scattered settlement?

In this episode, Felix and Kim have brought along a presentation from the "Tag der Münsteraner Archäologien", where Dr. Sophia Nomicos presents her field research project in Amyklai. In Amyklai was one of the most important sanctuaries of Sparta located. Apollo, the main god of the Spartans, was worshipped there together with the mythical hero Hyakinthos.

The archaeologist has been on site as part of an international team since 2022. The special thing about this project is that the focus of the investigation is not on the sanctuary, but on the use and function of the areas outside the temenos. An area of several hectares is being investigated using both archaeological and modern scientific methods.

We will discuss how survey, geophysics and excavation go hand in hand to explore Amyklai's connection to the regional network of the historical landscape of Laconia.

• Literature mentioned: John Oswin, A Field Guide to Geophysics in Archaeology

We are also concerned to encourage young people to study archaeology because the career prospects are much broader than their parents at home might think.

In this episode, Angelika Lohwasser and Torben Schreiber as representatives of the "Archäologie Diagonal" network are guests of Felix Schäfer and Nikola Moustakis.

In conversation, they trace the genesis of the network and outline the interdisciplinary collaboration of archaeological research in Münster. They present how finds are archived in the 3D laboratory and presented in virtual space. It is also important to the network to get (young) people interested in archaeology.

This episode offers a foretaste of the "Day of Münster Archaeology" on May 4th.

• Programm und Informationen zum "Tag der Münsteraner Archäologien" am 4. Mai 2024

This gave the students an impression of how everyday life can be spent in a mountain monastery or what problems there are, and that was unique.

Greek-Hellenistic cultures, Roman traditions, oriental influences and Christian faith characterize Byzantium. It is precisely this - sometimes explosive - mixture that makes Byzantine studies so exciting as a science.

How do concepts determine our ideas of post-antique Roman society? What role does the 'supernatural' play in the processes of decision-making in Byzantium between the 6th and 12th centuries? And why is there an Institute for Cyprus Studies in Münster? Natalie and Felix talk about all this and much more in this podcast episode with Michael Grünbart, Professor of Byzantine Studies at the University of Münster.

And of course there are also two truths and a lie, this time about water!

• Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Cambridge University Press 2015

There is hardly anything where you can find out more about people and their actions than with rubbish.

In this episode, Lisa Mentzl and Stefan Leenen are guests of Lotta and Felix. They work for the LWL Museum of Archaeology and Culture in Herne. Lotta got to know them both during her student traineeship. Together they form the curatorial team for the current special exhibition "Modern Times - Archaeological Finds of the Modern Age and their Stories". In the podcast, they give a look behind the scenes of the museum, report on the special challenges of this special exhibition and talk about their very different CVs.

• Sonderausstellung "Modern Times - Archäologische Funde der Moderne und ihre Geschichten"

Digital transformation – at some point, it will be normal for humanities scholars to conduct digital research.

NADAW 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan Horstmann

Digital Humanities - A bridge between Humanities and Computer Science

The University of Münster offers the "Digital Humanities" certificate, which Sophia and Silvia are currently completing. In this episode, they talk to Dr Jan Horstmann, Head of the Service Centre for Digital Humanities (SCDH), about topics relating to digital humanities. What exactly is Digital Humanities? Why should humanities scholars be able to understand algorithms and learn a programming language? They discuss the rapid development in this field and the dangers associated with AI.

Of the 27 New Testament writings, 21 are letters ...

NADAW 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . Eve-Marie Becker

How are fluid identities and mobility related in the ancient Mediterranean?

Lotta and Felix, together with Eve-Marie Becker, Professor of New Testament in Protestant Theology, discuss the significance of the “letter” medium for the constitution of early Christian communities.

Professor Becker shows the diverse facets of letters that make this text form particularly attractive for her research.

For Ms. Becker, New Testament science is “extremely global.” She even names New Testament scholarship as one of the most global subjects in the humanities. This assessment is certainly also related to her international CV, her commitment to international young scientists and her job as a pastor. This episode shows the tension between cultural studies and theological explication and how this can be resolved again and again.

We have been added to the Wisspod list! Wisspod describes itself as a "travel guide" through the world of science podcasts. We are happy to now be a part of this journey. You can find us there under the categories "History", "Archaeology" and "Academics".

I believe that you can only get a feel for different cultures and the effect of society and culture if you have experienced this change abroad.

NADAW 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . Katrin Kogman-Appel

What happens when different cultures live in one space?

Natalie discusses with Dr Katrin Kogman-Appel (Professor of Jewish Studies in Münster) to what extent cultures can be intertwined or produce divided spaces.

Ms. Kogman-Appel reports on her exciting career: how she moved from Austria to Israel and the USA and how it came about that she came to Münster as a renowned Alexander Humboldt Professor at the instigation of the Cluster of Excellence "Religion and Politics" and built up the Institute for Jewish Studies.

The episode focuses on Ms Kogman-Appel's passion for the book culture of the Middle Ages and early modern times. She talks about the questions that particularly interest her here: Who were the people who owned books? And from which sources do we know something about them? What, for example, does the decoration of a book tell us about it?

Literature mentioned in this episode:

19-06-2023

NADAW 15 . . . . Engelbert Winter & Michael Blömer

Research Centre Asia Minor - More than 25 years of excavation activities in Turkey

In this episode, Felix and Natalie welcome Prof. Dr Engelbert Winter (Ancient History) and Prof. Dr Michael Blömer (Classical Archaeology). The academic careers of both guests are closely linked to the Asia Minor Research Centre.

In this episode, they present the research projects they have been conducting in south-eastern Turkey for many years. Central to this are the excavations in the ancient city of Doliche and the nearby sanctuary of Iuppiter Dolichenus. Currently, they are also working on the documentation of damage to cultural assets in the region of Adyiaman (northern Commagene), which was completely destroyed by the earthquake in February 2023.

What are the logistical challenges of a large-scale international excavation? The episode takes a look behind the scientific scenes of the team.

22-05-2023

NADAW 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . Angelika Lohwasser

Research in Sudan - archaeology in a current war zone with a double colonial history

Hannah and Lotta have the Egyptologist and Sudan archaeologist Prof. Dr. Angelika Lohwasser as a guest. She talks about her excavations in the Sudanese desert, where she has established close contacts with local colleagues who are currently suffering from the war situation. Hannah, who joins the podcast project this semester through the Digital Humanities certificate program, is particularly interested in how digitization is changing and facilitating the work of an archaeologist. In addition, the students discuss with Prof. Lohwasser about an ethically reflected handling of human remains in museums.

17-04-2023

One year of "News from the Old World"! For the anniversary episode of our podcast, we brought together (almost) the entire team: Natalie, Franzi, Lotta, Emre and Felix reflect on the creation and production of the podcast. From technical difficulties to the choice of interviewees to experiences abroad, our team looks back on the last year and gives a little insight behind the recordings.

20-03-2023

NADAW 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Funke

Amnesties - an ancient idea?

Lotta and Emre have an interview with Münster senior professor Prof Dr Peter Funke. The ancient historian discusses the overcoming of violence in ancient societies with the students. He uses the concept of ‘amnesty’, which already existed in antiquity, to illustrate the extent to which remembering and forgetting can play a role in this.

In addition, the impressively networked and active academic also presents other historical content: how the University of Cyprus was founded, how the EMCC and AKOEM degree programmes came about and how e-learning was implemented in ancient history more than twenty years ago.

20-02-2023

NADAW 11 . . . . . . . . . . . John Dik & Florian Neitman

What does apocalypse actually mean?

John Dik and Florian Neitmann were our guests for our eleventh episode. Both are working on their doctorates on apocalyptic texts from ancient Judaism.

Lotta and Franzi talk to them about their time abroad, their different doctoral paths and find out what lies behind these apocalyptic texts and why they have much more to do with us today than we think.

16-01-2023

NADAW 10 . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Sänger

What do papyri reveal about the lives of ancient people?

Emre and Natalie discuss this question in conversation with Dr Patrick Sänger, Professor of Ancient History and Head of the newly founded Payrology Research Centre at the University of Münster.

If you want to know how to elicit knowledge about the past from ancient texts, just listen to the latest episode.

19-12-2022

NADAW 09 . . . . . . Katharina Martin & Oliwia Ullrich

Why are ancient coins so important as historical sources?

Jessica and Emre want to find out from Dr Katharina Martin from the Research Centre for Ancient Numismatics and Oliwia Ullrich, who is currently working on her doctoral thesis on depictions of horses on ancient coins.

In our December episode, the two numismatists present the wealth of information that can be gleaned from ancient money.

They also report on the International Numismatic Congress 2022, which took place in Warsaw in September and where they met the world's coin experts.

21-11-2022

NADAW 08 . . . . . . . . . . . . Lutz Doering

How can you see yourself as both a theologian and a cultural scholar?

Franzi and Jessica discuss this question in conversation with Dr Lutz Doering, Professor of New Testament and Ancient Judaism and Director of the Institutum Judaicum Delitzschianum. Mr Doering also reports on his study experiences in Israel. He will also present his current project: a translation of the 4th book of Ezra with an accompanying commentary. If you don't know the book of Ezra yet - just listen to this episode!

Otherwise, Franzi and Jessica puzzle over two lies, a truth about whether Mr Doering can look back on an athletic past, has ever helped out as a kitchen assistant in a kibbutz or looks after a rose garden in his spare time.

17-10-2022

NADAW 07 . . . . . . . . . . . . Ludger Hiepel

What relevance does the Bible have for today? What added value does the combination of Old Testament textual studies and ancient Near Eastern studies have? And why is committee work at the university so important?

Felix Schäfer and Nikola Moustakis explore these and other questions in conversation with Ludger Hiepel, Academic Councillor at the Institute for Biblical Exegesis and Theology (IBET) at the Faculty of Catholic Theology.

This episode also has the following special feature: it is a joint venture with the Theopodcast, which Mr Hiepel launched in 2020.

19-09-2022

We start the winter semester with an episode in which Dr Syrinx von Hees, Professor of Arabic Literature and Rhetoric, is our guest.
Franziska and Felix talk to her about the difference between Islamic Studies and Islamic Theology, the special features of her professorship and why the 13th/14th century is so central to her research. In this context, she also presents her new project on prophesy poetry.
Mrs von Hees will also talk about her experiences of how academia and motherhood can be reconciled.  A very up-to-date perspective from a female scholar.

15-08-2022

NADAW 05 . . . . . . . . . . . Anna Falke & Lukas Boch

In this episode, Jessica and Felix have two young scientists as guests:

Anna Klara Falke and Lukas Boch. Anna is writing her dissertation on Roman bridges in the Middle East, while Lukas is doing his doctorate on the reception of the Middle Ages in board games.

Their passion for board games and history led them to start a blog about the perception and representation of the past in this medium. This has since grown into the impressive ‘Boardgame Historian ’ project, which also publicises exhibitions, among other things.

18-07-2022

NADAW 04 . . . . . . . . . . Johannes Hahn

 

This time's guest is Dr Dr h. c. Johannes Hahn, Professor of Ancient History at the WWU. His research covers numerous subject areas, two of which are presented in more detail in this episode.
The first is the life of the Syrian bishop Barsauma, who lived in the 5th century, and Symeon Stylites the Elder, who went down in history as the first Christian pillar saint. Secondly, Emre and Jessica talk to Professor Hahn about his latest project: finding compromise in Greek and Roman antiquity.
They discuss questions with him such as: What holds a society together and what techniques does it develop to experience sociability?

20-06-2022

NADAW 03 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hans Beck

In this episode, Emre and Jessica talk to Dr Hans Beck, Professor of Ancient History at Münster University.
This time they talk about how the pandemic has affected university teaching and what lessons can be learnt to improve teaching in the future.
Then things get mysterious - we discuss Hans Beck's research interest in Greek mystery cults! Don't know what that means? Then tune in and find out!

16-05-2022

NADAW 02 . . . . . . . . . Achim Lichtenberger

 

This time, Emre and Jessica are in conversation with Dr Achim Lichtenberger, Professor of Classical Archaeology at Münster University, who tells us about his current projects, in particular his excavations in Artaxata, a Hellenistic metropolis in Armenia, and Gerasa (Jordan).

In ‘Two truths, one lie’, things will also be exciting this time: Has Achim Lichtenberger been a vegetarian since climbing Mount Olympus? Is he really the son of a famous cliff diver? Or does he collect historical irons?  Find out!

18-04-2022

NADAW 01 . . . . . . . . . . Matthias Sandberg

 

Welcome to our first episode of News from the Ancient World!

To kick things off, Emre and Jessica talk to Matthias Sandberg, research assistant at the Department of Ancient History at Münster University. Among other things, he tells us about his day-to-day work at the university and the demands of the job, the topic he dealt with in his dissertation and what studying antiquity means to him.

To give you a little riddle, we play ‘Two truths and a lie’ with him. What do you think? Has Matthias Sandberg ever arranged for a knighthood? Or was he a child actor at Einstein Castle? Or does he have an axe next to his desk? The answer is at the end!