Mediterranean Archaeology
The research unit Mediterranean Archaeology at Ghent University studies the archaeology of the major civilisations of the Mediterranean area, in particular of the Greek, Phoenician-Punic and Roman cultures. The research unit consists of 10 researchers and assistants under supervision of Prof Dr Roald Docter (Greek and Phoenician-Punic) and Prof Dr Frank Vermeulen (Roman).
Methodology
General: In the past, Mediterranean archaeology has adopted a strong art-historical and architectural approach. As most of the studied material remains have a high aesthetical value, a strict division between the archaeology and art history of Classical Antiquity is impossible.
Recent: During recent decades, Mediterranean archaeology has undergone important methodological changes. Today, the focus is not limited to large-scale excavations of ancient cities and on the discovery of monumental buildings. An important aspect of research is now oriented towards the wider human presence in the landscape. Both on the level of landscape research and on the level of excavations, Mediterranean archaeology of Classical Antiquity has adopted several methods from natural sciences. This also applies for the study of archaeological artefacts, which is now oriented towards a much wider array of objects.
Mediterranean archaeology at Ghent University
Large-scale field projects in Mediterranean archaeology at Ghent University started in the 1960s. The research unit has been / is active in France, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Tunisia and Turkey.