The Formation and Transformation of Space and
Knowledge in Ancient Civilizations
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  • About
  • Research
    • Topoi I (2007-12)
      • Spatial Environment
      • Historical Spaces
      • Perception and Representation
      • Theory and Science
      • Transformations
    • Topoi II (2012–2019)
      • Spatial Environment
      • Historical Space
      • Perception and Representation
      • Theory and Science
      • Topoi Plus
      • Key Topics
      • Topoi Lab
      • Forum – Spatial Data Analysis
      • TOPOImap und TOPOIorganon
    • Early Career and professorships
  • Knowledge Transfer
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      • Data Publication
    • Events
    • Teaching
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      • Spotlight on …
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      • Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften
    • Exhibitions
      • KTESIPHON
      • LIENZO SELER II
      • The Soul is an Octopus
      • THRAKISCHE MÜNZEN
      • Forum Romanum 3.0.
      • MUSEUMSVISIONEN
      • ANTIKE BAUFORSCHUNG
      • IRON METALLURGY
      • Jenseits des Horizonts
      • Auf den Kopf gestellt!
      • Antike Welten
      • Research and Concepts
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      • Research Area A
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      • Senior Fellows and Guests
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  • Partners
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    • Topoi worldwide

Research

 At the Excellence Cluster Topoi researchers from over 30 disciplines analyzed the interplay of ‘space’ and ‘knowledge’ in the formation and transformation of ancient cultures and societies.

Exhibitions

Topoi exhibitions documented the results of cluster research for a broad audience. The first synthesis of this research was presented in 2012 at the Pergamon Museum in the large-scale Topoi exhibition “Jenseits des Horizonts” (Beyond the Horizon).

Berliner Antike-Kolleg

The Berliner Antike-Kolleg provides an enduring basis for coopertion in ancient studies in the Berlin/Brandenburg region, one that will last well beyond the conclusion of Topoi.

International Guests

More than 307 international junior and senior fellows collaborated with their Topoi colleagues on specific projects, duscussed their research at conferences and workshops and gave public lectures.

Publications

More than 2300 publications listed in the Topoi publication database have been written or edited by Topoi researchers.

Early career Researchers

 Topoi enthusiastically supported young researchers at all stages of their careers: from the Master level to graduate studies and post-doctoral studies.

Interdisciplinary cooperation

Topoi demonstrated the potential of interdisciplinary cooperation for research into the ancient world. Researchers from more than 30 disciplines worked together on numerous projects and exchanged views on overaching issues.

Partners

The cluster’s cooperation partners included the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the German Archaeological Institute, the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, and the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz.

Topoi Worldwide

Topoi was part of a world-wide network of ancient studies, and therefore the cluster benefited from international cooperation. Exchange with international institutions was carried out at various levels, from research projects to institutional collaboration and graduate education.

Events

With more than 25 international conferences each year, Topoi shaped the ancient studies agenda in Berlin and beyond.

NEW PROFESSORSHIPS

 As part of a strategy to further strengthen Berlin's expertise in ancient studies, Topoi created a significant number of new fields and professorships, now funded by the universities.

Graduate School

For its more than 180 PhD students, Topoi introduced in 2011 a structured graduate education: the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) of the Berliner Antike-Kolleg.

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  • Impressum
There will be no updates to this website after October 31, 2019, as the Excellence Cluster comes to an end on that date.