Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies

The research of the Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies research group revolves around issues of social identity, culture contact, social landscapes, production and exchange, early states and empires, and social archaeology generally. We have a shared interest in colonial experiences and post-colonial reactions, both in antiquity and in the recent past, particularly culture contact, Mediterranean connectivity and commercial-colonial connections. A strong science-based component is concerned with the interface between analytical work, technological and industrial practice, environmental context and social interpretation. 

Our group is also distinguished by its contribution to the development of regional survey theory and practice throughout the Mediterranean and the Near East, with broad geographical coverage from east to west, including Turkey, Cyprus, Jordan, Greece, Italy and Spain. We have carried through to publication several regional archaeological survey projects, while surveys and excavations are currently underway in Sardinia and Turkey. 

Other recent or forthcoming publications include synthetic words on the historical archaeology of the colonised (Mediterranean and British), Punic rural archaeology, Cypriot prehistory and protohistory, and the archaeology of empire in Late Bronze Age Anatolia. 

We regularly publish individual papers on the prehistoric and historical Mediterranean and Near East  in refereed journals, such as Journal of Mediterranean Archaeology, Journal of Roman Archaeology, International Journal of Historical Archaeology, American Journal of Archaeology, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research and Journal of Anthropological Archaeology. Publishing innovative research and theoretical approaches to Mediterranean archaeology, the international, peer-reviewed Journal of Mediterranean Archaeology is co-edited by members of the group. 

Academic Staff

• Dr Michael Given
• Dr Claudia Glatz 
• Dr Richard Jones
• Prof. Emeritus A. Bernard Knapp

Research Students

• Amanda Charland: Social roles of Frankish and Muslim landscapes in the 12th century Levant
• Jeremy Hayne: Culture contact and exchange in Iron Age North Sardinia
• David Lightbody: Postcolonial archaeology of the Cypriot Iron Age city-kingdoms
• Ian McElroy: Converting temples; converting minds: temple-church conversion in the Mediterranean A.D. 300-800
• Marjon Steedman: Latin inscriptions in relation to landscapes & communities of Punic–Roman Sardinia

Honorary Staff

• Dr Sally-Anne Coupar
• Dr Effie Photos-Jones
• Dr Luke Sollars 

Current Research Projects and Networks

• Cide Archaeological Project (Glatz)
• Towards non-destructive analysis in archaeological and conservation science (Jones)

Forthcoming Project Publications

• Production and Distribution of Mycenaean-Influenced Pottery in Late Bronze Age Italy (Jones)
• Excavations at Kourion's Amathous Gate Cemetery, Cyprus (Given)
• Troodos Archaeological and Environmental Survey Project, Cyprus (Given, Knapp) 

Programmes and Courses

• Archaeology of the Aegean Bronze Age
• Historical Landscapes of the Eastern Mediterranean
• Landscape & Power in the Ancient Near East and East Mediterranean