11/12/2026 - 11/13/2026
Workshop: Provenance data for archaeological objects: specific features, sources, methods, challenges
Provenance data relating to archaeological objects is a key component of information for their scholarly interpretation, legal assessment and ethically responsible handling. It forms the basis for addressing questions of origin, ownership history, collection contexts, routes of transfer, and the handling of illicit trade, looting and colonial acquisition contexts.
The workshop aims to bring together interdisciplinary perspectives on provenance data for archaeological objects and to discuss current research, methodological approaches, and digital and institutional practices. Particular attention will be paid to the recording, analysis and reuse of provenance data in museums, collections, archives and research projects.
Where? Berlin, Brugsch-Pascha-Saal im Archäologischen Zentrum der SMB and online
Link: https://spk-berlin.webex.com/meet/a.berthold
When: November 12 - 13, 2026
Contact & Chair
Angela Berthold
TA2 Collecting in NFDI4Objects
a.berthold@smb.spk-berlin.de
Programme
Thursday, 12 November 2026
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
| 12:00 - 12:30 | Arrival and Coffee |
| 12:30 - 13:00 | Angela Berthold, Coin Cabinet, SMB, SPK / NFDI4Objects Welcome and Introduction |
| Panel I: Mapping and Linking Archaeological Provenance Data | |
| 13:00 - 13:30 | Clara Bernard and Juliette Tanré-Szewczyk, Institut national d'histoire de l'art, Paris The "Répertoire des ventes d'antiques en France au XIXe siècle" and "IMENTET". Two projects by the French National Institute for Art History (INHA, Paris, France) designed to serve provenance research in archaeology. |
| 13:30 - 14:00 | Pallabi Bagchi, Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda Known, Inferred, Unknown: Representing Uncertainty in the Provenance of Pāla-period Buddhist Objects |
| 14:00 - 14:30 | Wu-Wei Chen, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Data Provenance for Digital Cultural Heritage |
| 14:30 - 15:00 | Katja Sternitzke, Berlin State Library, SPK / NFDI4Culture A Visual Memory for Collections – Strategic Image Capture as a Driver of Provenance Research |
| 15:00 - 15:30 | Coffee Break |
| Panel II: Archaeological Provenance Research in Collections | |
| 15:30 - 16:00 | Agnes Henning and Hannah Kempin, Collection of the Winckelmann Institute at Humboldt University of Berlin From the Archive Cabinet to the Web. Provenance Research and Digital Perspectives of a University Teaching Collection |
| 16:00 - 16:30 | Rogier Kalkers, Allard Pierson Museum Amsterdam Towards a Proactive, Transparent and Collaborative Approach to Provenance Research |
| 16:30 - 17:00 | Polly Lohmann, Collection of Classical Antiquities, Heidelberg University With Limited Resources: Provenance Research and Digital Source Indexing in University Collections |
| 17:00 - 17:30 | Erik Beck, Wewelsburg District Museum Fragmentary Records: Challenges in Provenance Research on the Former Archaeological SS Collection at Wewelsburg |
Friday, 13 November 2026
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
| 08:30 - 09:00 | Arrival and Coffee |
| Panel III: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Archaeological Provenance Data | |
| 09:00 - 09:30 | Stijn van Rossem, University of Amsterdam Library Ethical Restitution: From Ownership to Shared Stewardship |
| 09:30 - 10:00 | Kyra Maren Gospodar, Berlin Police / Freie Universität Berlin "Circulating Coins": Reconstructing Object Provenance as an Interface between Archaeology and the Police |
| 10:00 - 10:30 | Laurien de Gelder, Allard Pierson Museum Amsterdam Reevaluating Ownership: The Rescue Excavations in Northern Syria, 1967–1987 |
| 10:30 - 11:00 | Coffee Break |
| 11:00 - 11:30 | Holger Neumer, Martin Luther University Halle From Excavation Find to Question of Return. Argumentative Negotiations over Nefertiti, the Pergamon Altar and the Ishtar Gate in the 20th and Early 21st Century |
| 11:30 - 12:00 | Will Korner, The Cultural Heritage At Risk Database (CHARD Foundation) How can current provenance research and due diligence practices for antiquities be updated to properly reflect the risks posed by ongoing and recent conflict zones? |
| 12:00 - 13:00 | Closing Discussion |
Travel Expense Reimbursement
Are you a student, PhD candidate or early-career researcher with limited financial resources, but would still like to take part in one of our face-to-face workshops?
We can help: under certain conditions, you can apply to us for reimbursement of your travel expenses. To be eligible for travel expense reimbursement, the following conditions must be met:
- You are enrolled at a German university or higher education institution on a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD programme (undergraduate students, PhD candidates).
- or: You completed your PhD less than three years ago and are working in a fixed-term post-doctoral position (early-career researcher).
- You must complete the application form for travel expenses in full and submit it to us, together with the original supporting documents, by the deadline.
(Link: Claim for reimbursement of travel expenses)
Please ensure you read the information on travel expense reimbursement on page 3 of the application form before booking your train journey and accommodation. If you have any questions regarding travel expense reimbursement, please contact martina.krause@dainst.de.