Globalisation already existed in antiquity

Archaeologist Miguel John Versluys visits Münster as Humboldt Research Award Winner

Archaeologist  Miguel John Versluys (left) and ancient historian  Engelbert Wint
Archaeologist Miguel John Versluys (left) and ancient historian Engelbert Winter have been working closely together for several years. © Uni MS - Linus Peikenkamp
Globalisation and connectivity are megatrends that will shape the future. However, neither is a phenomenon of the modern age; they already had an impact on the ancient world. Dutch archaeologist Professor Miguel John Versluys of Leiden University is working on this topic and was awarded the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s Research Award in July. The award, worth ¤60,000, is linked to several research stays at the University of Münster, starting this winter semester. Versluys was nominated for the award by Professor Engelbert Winter of the Asia Minor Research Centre in the Department of Ancient History. "Miguel John Versluys enriches classical archaeology with new perspectives. At the same time, his interdisciplinary approach helps to ensure that archaeology has an impact on other disciplines," explained the ancient historian. The two researchers met in Heidelberg in 2009 and have been working closely together since 2014. "The award is a great honour, both for me and in recognition of our collaboration," remarked Miguel John Versluys.

His deep historical perspective, focusing on long periods of time, opens up a new perspective on phenomena that are primarily associated with the modern era. "Even in the first millennium BC, there was an acceleration of the living world. The Persian Empire saw itself as encompassing the whole world. Antiquity is important for the emergence of concepts of globalisation," emphasised the archaeologist, who has been involved in research projects in Rome, Alexandria and Commagene in present-day Turkey, a focus of the Asia Minor Research Centre. He deliberately chose not to specialise in one region in order to develop a global perspective. "Previous archaeological research, for example, tended to focus on either Rome or Egypt," explained the 53-year-old, whose 2001 doctoral thesis explored the links between the two.

Another of Miguel John Versluys’ concerns is to think of history not only in terms of people. He is interested in human-thing entanglement. How do we interact with the things around us, with animals, with the climate’ How does that affect history’ "If we look at other, non-human actors, we get a more nuanced picture. A good current example is our use of smartphones," commented the archaeologist, building a bridge to the present day. Interdisciplinary work is needed to study such networks.


This is also the premise of his research visits, which are intended to further promote interdisciplinary exchange in the field of Ancient Studies at the University of Münster. There are plans to conclude the visits with a conference on the conceptual significance of connectivity for historical processes, and a block seminar is scheduled for next summer semester. "This is a great opportunity for our students to get to know innovative approaches," stated Engelbert Winter. It may even lead to new doctoral projects. It wouldn’t be the first time: two years ago, a doctoral candidate jointly supervised by the Asia Minor Research Centre and Miguel John Versluys won a prize for the best doctoral thesis in the humanities in the Netherlands.

This article is taken from the university newspaper wissen