Strengthening European research networks: Archaeologist Miguel John Versluys honored with prestigious Humboldt Research Award
Professor Miguel John Versluys of Leiden University has been recognised with the esteemed Humboldt Research Award, a testament to his groundbreaking work in global archaeology, reception-studies and the deep history of globalisation. The award, granted by the Alexander von Humbold-Stiftung, celebrates internationally acclaimed scholars whose research achievements have had a significant impact beyond their own discipline alone.
Academic collaboration
The award is designed to foster academic collaboration, bringing leading international researchers to Germany to work alongside their German counterparts. Professor Versluys will be hosted by the University of Münster, where he has long collaborated on archaeological research, particularly focusing on Asia Minor.
‘I am especially happy with this recognition because it is given to scholars who have the ability, with their work, to have impact outside their own discipline as well,’ Versluys notes. ‘The work of our research group on the deep history of globalization and the cognitive impact thereof allows us to engage with sociologists, psychologists, and a much larger general public. This is in particular why I believe I have received this award.’
‘The Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung offers a fantastic academic network, and I am excited to use this opportunity to strengthen collaborations with colleagues in Münster, Munich, and Berlin,’ Versluys adds. ‘I will spend time in Germany over the next few years, primarily for research but also engaging in teaching, PhD supervision, and joint fieldwork.’
Archaeological fieldwork
One of the exciting aspects of the collaboration with Münster University involves ongoing archaeological fieldwork at the site of Doliche in Southeast Turkey, where Leiden students already participated in the excavations. This partnership with the Forschungsstelle Asia Minor not only advances research on the archaeology of West Asia but also provides valuable fieldwork opportunities for students and PhDs, enriching their academic and professional development.
Reception of ancient Egypt
In addition to his work with the University of Münster, Professor Versluys is developing a major project with the University of Munich. This ambitious endeavor focuses on the reception of ancient Egypt throughout history, a subject of growing significance for understanding global heritage and (European) cultural identity. ‘The project, called the Encyclopedia of the Reception of Ancient Egypt (ERAE), recently secured €300,000 in funding from the German Research Foundation, enabling the creation of an (online) encyclopedia dedicated to the global reception of ancient Egypt.’
‘Reception is crucial to understand how people understand their position in time and history,’ Versluys explains. ‘For Europe, the Greek and Roman civilisations have long been deemed central to our identity, but the reception of Egypt tells a broader, more inclusive story, one that reveals deep and long-standing connections across continents and cultures. This project, which builds on the intellectual legacy of the famous cultural-historian Jan Assmann (1938-2024) and was prepared by the 2020 volume 'Beyond Egyptomania’, will investigate the global dimensions of Egypt’s influence from a deep historical perspective, offering a richer picture of our shared heritage as well as a different take on European cultural formation.’
Closer ties
This Humboldt Research Award also opens up new possibilities for Leiden University, fostering closer ties with German institutions and creating avenues for students and staff to benefit from shared resources, excavations, and scholarly exchanges.
The official award ceremony took place in October in Münster, where Professor Versluys delivered a lecture on his research and participated in the launch of a new Cambridge University book series on the global history of the ancient world. The event highlighted not only his individual achievements but also the cutting-edge contributions of Leiden’s global archaeology department to international scholarship.
A global hub of archaeological innovation
As Professor Versluys prepares to spend extended periods in Germany, he looks forward to deepening this academic cooperation, reinforcing Leiden University’s reputation as a global hub for archaeological innovation and interdisciplinary research. ‘It is great that I can now use my contacts in Germany to strengthen collaborations, not just for myself but for many others in the faculties of archaeology and humanities,’ he notes. ‘Students and early career researchers will also benefit, as they can participate in fieldwork in Southeast Turkey, the work of the ERAE project and explore new research possibilities. I hope therefore that this award will consolidate and further develop the Faculty’s leading position in global archaeology.’