Dr. Karin Kindermann

Dr. Karin Kindermann
Research Associate
Bernhard-Feilchenfeld-Str. 11
50969 Cologne

Room 6.309 (6^th floor)

Phone: +49 221 4706771
E-Mail: k.kindermannuni-koeln.de

ORCID: 0000-0003-0311-6319

Since the beginning of my studies, my scientific interest has been directed on African archaeology, and here especially to North Africa. The focal points of my research in this region are Pleistocene and Holocene climate and environmental history, geo-archaeological and landscape archaeology, the dispersal routes of anatomically modern humans, Mid-Holocene settlement archaeology and the transition from prehistoric to dynastic times. What was important here was that my research – in Egypt, Libya, Jordan and France, among other places – was multidisciplinary and collaborative.

Furthermore, the protection of the archaeological heritage of North Africa as well as the education and training of local partners and young academics are close to my heart.

Consultation hours

Per appointment

Current Projects

Collaboration with the Belgian Archaeological Mission to Elkab (Royal Museums of Arts and History Brussels, Belgium) for the analysis of predynastic stone artefacts from Elkab, Middle Egypt
Collaboration with the German Archaeological Institute in Cairo for the analysis of stone artefacts from Tell el-Fara’in/Buto, (Nile Delta, Egypt (https://www.dainst.org/projekt/-/project-display/63537)
German-Egyptian Master study course “"Environmental Archaeology" (DAAD project) between the universities Cairo and Cologne

Research Interests

Archaeology of arid regions
Middle and Later Stone Age in Northeast-Africa
Prehistoric and Predynastic Egypt
Lithic technology and typology
Complex hunter-gatherers
Environmental archaeology and geoarchaeology
Conservation archaeology and heritage management in Africa

CV

Education

2006

Doctoral degree (Doctorem Philosophiae), Institute of Prehistoric Archaeology, University of Cologne. PhD Thesis: "Djara – Zur mittelholozänen Besiedlungsgeschichte zwischen Niltal und Oasen (Abu-Muharik-Plateau, Ägypten)

1998

M.A. (Magister Artium) in Prehistoric Archaeology (major), Social and Cultural Anthropology and Geography at the University of Cologne and the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main

Employment

since 2022

Research assistant at the Forschungsstelle Altsteinzeit (FAST) at the Institute of Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Cologne

2011 – 2021
Principal Investigator CRC 806 “Our Way to Europe”: Project A1 Out of Africa – Late Pleistocene Rock Shelter Stratigraphies and Palaeoenvironments in Northeastern Africa

2009 – 2011
External archaeological CIM-expert for the Gilf Kebir National Park (Egypt) at the Environmental Affairs Agency Egypt (EEAA)/Nature Conservation Sector (NCS)

2008 – 2009
Coordinator of the first application CRC 806 “Our Way to Europe – Culture-Environment Interaction and Human Mobility in the Late Quaternary”, University of Cologne

1998 – 2007
Scientific assistant CRC 389 – ACACIA (Arid Climate and Cultural Adaption in Africa): Project A1 “Climatic Change and Human Settlement between the Nile Valley and the Central Sahara”

Memberships

Books and Edited Volumes

Contributions

2021

Kindermann, K. (2021), Predynastic Elkab: A first stony perspective. In: Claes, W., De Meyer, M., Eyckerman, M. & D. Huyge (eds.), Remove that Pyramid! Studies on the Archaeology and History of Predynastic and Pharaonic Egypt in Honour of Stan Hendrickx. Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta 305 (Leuven), 661-680. doi: 10.2307/j.ctv27vt57q.39.

Kindermann, K., Kuper, J., Bubenzer, O & F. Henselowsky (2021), Ephemeral but not remote – Insights into the Late Pleistocene of Northeast Africa. In: Litt, Th., Richter, J. & F. Schäbitz (eds.), The Journey of Modern Humans from Africa to Europe. Culture-Environmental Interaction and Mobility (Stuttgart), 31-38.

Kindermann, K. & H. Riemer (2021), Tabular scarpers in Predynastic and Dynastic Egypt: from an everyday use to a ritual context. In: Buchez, N. & Y. Tristant & Rochecouste, O. (eds.), Égypte Antérieure. Mélanges de préhistoire et d’archéologie offerts à Béatrix Midant-Reynes par ses étudiants, collègues et amis. Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta 304 (Leuven), 483-505. doi: 10.2307/j.ctv27vt5ft.34.

Kindermann, K. & H. Riemer (2021), From Complex Hunter-Gatherers in the Eastern Sahara to the Early Nile Neolithic. In: Rowland, J., Lucarini, G. & G. J. Tassie (eds.), Revolutions. The Neolithisation of the Mediterranean Basin: The Transition to Food Producing Economies in North Africa, Southern Europe and the Levant (open-access book) (Berlin), 203-230. doi: 10.17171/3-6.

2019

Riemer, H & K. Kindermann (2019), Eastern Saharan Prehistory during the 9^th to 5^th Millennium BC: The View from the ‘Libyan Desert. In: Raue, D. (ed.), Handbook of Ancient Nubia. De Gruyter (Berlin/Boston), 195‒216.

2018

Kindermann, K., Riemer, H., Keding, B. & F. Jesse (2018), Hirtennomaden in Nordost-Afrika. In: Richter, J. (Hg.), 111 Jahre Prähistorische Archäologie in Köln. Kölner Studien zur Prähistorischen Archäologie 9 (Rahden/Westf.), 238‒249.

2015

Hussain, T.S., Richter, J., Schyle, D., Kindermann, K., Wolter, Th. & Th.C. Hauck (2015), The Veiled Mousterian: Traces of Middle Palaeolithic Presence in the Wadi Sabra. In: Richter, J. & D. Schyle (eds.), Pleistocene Archaeology of the Petra Area in Jordan. Kölner Studien zur Prähistorischen Archäologie 5 (Rahden/Westf.), 55–85.

2014

Claes, W., Hendrickx, S., Devillers, A., Hart, E., Kindermann, K., De Dapper, M., Ikram, S., Storms, G., Swerts, C. & D. Huyge (2014), From the early Old Kingdom to the Badarian. Preliminary report of the 2012 excavation campaign in the settlement area of Elkab. In: Mączyńska, A. (ed.), The Nile Delta as a Centre of Cultural Interactions between Upper Egypt and the Southern Levant in the 4^thMillennium BC. Studies of African Archaeology 13, Poznań Archaeological Museum (Poznań), 73–93.

Riemer, H. & K. Kindermann (2014), What's that tool for? An unusual flint knife from the Egyptian Western Desert. In: Jucha, M.A., Dębowska-Ludwin, J. & P. Kołodziejczyk (eds.), Aegyptus est imago caeli: Studies Presented to Krysztof M. Ciałowicz on His 60^th Birthday (Kraków), 217–222.

2013

Riemer, H., Lange, M. & K. Kindermann (2013), When the Desert Dried Up: Late Prehistoric Cultures and Contacts in Egypt and Northern Sudan. In: Raue, D., Seidlmayer, S. & P. Speiser (eds.), The First Cataract of the Nile: One Region – Diverse Perspectives. DAI Kairo Sonderschrift 36 (Berlin), 157–183.

2010

Claßen, E., Kindermann, K., Pastoors, A. & H. Riemer (2010), Djara – Höhlenbilder in der Westwüste Ägyptens. In: Kindermann, K. (Hg.), Djara. Zur mittelholozänen Besiedlungsgeschichte zwischen Niltal und Oasen (Abu-Muharik-Plateau, Ägypten), Teil 2. Africa Praehistorica 23 (Köln), 767–812.

2009

Bolten, A., Bubenzer, O., Darius, F. & K. Kindermann (2009), Towards a Reconstruction of Land Use Potential: Case Studies from the Western Desert of Egypt. In: Bollig, M. & O. Bubenzer (eds.), African Landscapes - Interdisciplinary Approaches. Studies in Human Ecology and Adaptation 4 (New York), 57–78.

2008

Kindermann, K. (2008), G. Rohlfs – Vom Abenteurer zum Forschungsreisenden. In: Trümpler, Ch. (Hg.), Das Grosse Spiel. Archäologie und Politik zur Zeit des Kolonialismus (1860-1940), (Köln), 48‒57.

Riemer, H. & K. Kindermann (2008), Contacts between the Oasis and the Nile: A résumé of the Abu Muhariq Survey 1995-2002: In: Midant-Reynes, B. & Y. Tristant (eds.), Egypt at its Origins, 2. Proceedings of the International Conference “Origin of the State. Predynastic and Early Dynastic Egypt”, Toulouse 2005. Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta 172. (Leuven), 610–633.

2007

Kindermann, K. & O. Bubenzer (2007), Djara – humans and their environment on the Egyptian limestone plateau around 8,000 years ago. In: Bubenzer, O., Bolten, A. & F. Darius (eds.) Atlas of Cultural and Environmental Change in Arid Africa. Africa Praehistorica 21 (Köln), 26‒29.

2006

Kindermann, K. (2006), Mid-Holocene settlement patterns of the Djara region, Abu Muhariq Plateau (Egypt). In: Le Secrétariat du Congres (ed.), Préhistoire en Afrique, African Prehistory. Sessions générales et posters, General Sessions and Posters. Actes du XIVème Congrès UISPP, Univerité de Liège 2001. BAR International Series 1522 (Oxford 2006) 85‒92.

2003

Kindermann, K. (2003), Investigations at the Mid-Holocene settlement Area of Djara (Abu Muhariq Plateau, Western Desert of Egypt). In: Krzyzaniak, L., Kroeper, K. & M. Kobusiewicz (eds.), Cultural Markers in the Later Prehistory of Northeastern Africa and Recent Research. Studies in African Archaeology 8. Poznań Archaeological Museum (Poznań), 51‒72.

2002

Gehlen, B., Kindermann, K., Linstädter, J. & H. Riemer (2002), The Holocene Occupation of the Eastern Sahara: Regional Chronologies and Supra-regional Developments in four Areas of the Absolute Desert. In: Jennerstraße 8 (Hg.), Tides of the Desert – Gezeiten der Wüste. Contributions to the Archaeology and Environmental History of Africa in Honour of Rudolph Kuper. Africa Praehistorica 14 (Köln), 85‒116.

Kindermann, K. (2002), Djara: Prehistoric Links between the Desert and the Nile. In: Hawass, Z. & L. Pinch Brock (eds.), Egyptology at the Dawn of the Twenty-first Century. Proceedings of the Eighth International Congress of Egyptologists, Cairo 2000. American University in Cairo, 272‒279.

Journal Publications

2022

Henselowsky, F., Klasen, N., Rhys, T., White, D., Lincoln, P., Blockley, S., Kindermann, K. & O. Bubenzer (2022), Rare Holocene sediment deposits from Sodmein Playa (Eastern Desert, Egypt) - Stratigraphic assessment and environmental setting Geoarchaeology, doi: 10.1002/gea.21946

Henselowsky, F., Kindermann, K., Willmes, Ch., Bubenzer, O., Lammerich-Long, D. & G. Bareth (2022), Palaeoenvironments and landscape diversity in Egypt during the Last Interglacial and its implications on the dispersal of Homo sapiens. Journal of Maps, doi: 10.1080/17445647.2022.2064779.

Wöstehoff, L., Kindermann, K., Amelung, W., Kappenberg, A., Henselowsky, F. & E. Lehndorff (2022), Anthropogenic fire fingerprints in Late Pleistocene and Holocene sediments of Sodmein Cave, Egypt. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 42, 103411. doi: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2022.103411.

2020

Riemer, H. & K. Kindermann (2020), Flints from the Road: on the significance of two Enigmatic Stone Tools Found along the Darb el-Tawil. Archaeologia Polona 58, 257‒274. doi: 10.23858/APa58.2020.015.

2018

Henselowsky, F., Almoazamy, A., Fawaz, S., Khariry, H., Kindermann, K., Eichstädter, R., Klahre, N., Schepers, Ch., Lammerich-Long, D., Klasen, N., Kehl, M. & O. Bubenzer (2018), A new cave site at the limestone hogback of Gebel Duwi: Interdisciplinary approaches to study palaeoenvironmental chages in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt. Annals of the Geological Survey of Egypt 5/35, 389‒392.

Kindermann, K., Van Peer, P. & F. Henselowsky (2018), At the lakeshore – An Early Nubian Complex site linked with lacustrine sediments (Eastern Desert, Egypt). Quaternary International 485, 131‒139.

2016

Kindermann, K. (2016), „Inside-Outside – Integrating Cave and Open-Air Archives“ international science meeting at the University of Cologne. Newsletter, IAG Working Group on Geoarchaeology 17, 22.

Kindermann, K., Henselowsky, F., Van Peer, P. & O. Bubenzer (2016), Out of Africa: Geoarchaeological research in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Newsletter IAG/AIG 17 (Working Group on Geoarchaeology), 12‒16.

Kindermann, K. & H. Riemer (2016), Early Dynastic lithic production sequences from Tell el-Fara’in/Buto. In: Hartung, U., Hartmann, R., Kindermann, K., Riemer, H. & W. Stähle (Hgs.), Tell el-Fara’in – Buto 12. Vorbericht. Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Abteilung Kairo 72, 106‒114.

2015

Schmidt, Ch., Kindermann, K., Van Peer, P. & O. Bubenzer (2015), Multi-emission luminescence dating of heated chert from the Middle Stone Age sequence at Sodmein Cave (Red Sea Mountains, Egypt). Journal of Archaeological Science 63, 94–103. DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2015.08.016.

Barton, R.N.E., Lane, C.S., Albert, P.G., White, D., Collcutt, S.N., Bouzouggar, A., Ditchfield, P., Farr, L., Oh, A., Ottolini, L., Smith, V.C., Van Peer, P. & K. Kindermann (2015), The role of cryptotephra in refining the chronology of Late Pleistocene human evolution and cultural change in North Africa. Quaternary Science Reviews 118, 151–169. DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2014.09.008.

2014

Hoffmeister, D., Zellmann, S., Kindermann, K., Pastoors, A., Lang, U., Bubenzer, O., Weniger, G.-Ch. & G. Bareth (2014), Geoarchaeological site documentation and analysis of 3D data derived by terrestrial laser scanning. ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences II/5, 173–179. DOI: 10.5194/isprsannals-II-5-173-2014.

2013

Kindermann, K., Bubenzer, O. & P. Van Peer (2013), Geo-archaeological research on the Late Pleistocene of the Egyptian Eastern Desert: recent threats to the Sodmein Cave. Antiquity 337/83, 2013, Antiquity Project Gallery.

2010

Claßen, E., Kindermann, K. & A. Pastoors (2010), Djara – Cave Art in Egypt’s Western Desert. ArchéoNil 19, 47–66.

2009

Riemer, H., Kindermann, K. & M. Attallah (2009), Die „Schminkpaletten” des 6. Jahrtausends v. Chr. aus der ägyptischen Westwüste - Ein Beitrag zu den Kulturbeziehungen zwischen Wüste und Niltal in prähistorischer Zeit. Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Abteilung Kairo 65, 355–371.

2006

Kindermann, K., Bubenzer, O., Nussbaum, S., Riemer, H., Darius, F., Pöllath, N. & U. Smettan (2006), Palaeoenvironment and Holocene land use of Djara, Western Desert of Egypt. Quaternary Science Reviews 25, 1619‒1637. DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2005.12.005.

2004

Kindermann, K. (2004), Djara: Excavations and surveys of the 1998-2002 seasons. ArchéoNil 14, 31‒50.

Riemer, H., Kindermann, K. & S. Eickelkamp (2004), Dating and production technique of Ounan points in the Eastern Sahara. New archaeological evidence from Abu Tartur, Western Desert of Egypt. Nyame Akuma 61, 10‒16.

2003

Kindermann, K. (2003), Plateau d’Abou Mouhariq. Orientalia 72, 113‒114.

2001

Claßen, E., Kindermann, K., Pastoors, A. & H. Riemer (2001), Djara 90/1 – Felsbildhöhle und Fundplatz eines holozänen Gunstraums der Nordost-Sahara (Ägypten). Archäologisches Korrespondenzblatt 31, 349‒364.

Reviews

2019

Kindermann, K. (2019), Rezension zu: Gallinaro, M. 2018, Mobility and pastoralism in the Egyptian Western Desert. Steinplätze in the Holocene regional settlement patterns. Arid Zone Archaeology 7 Monographs, Sapienza Università di Roma, Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa 54/1, 409-410.

2017

Kindermann, K. (2017), Rezension zu: Hikade, T., Elephantine XXXV. The Lithic Industries on Elephantine Island during the 3^rdMillenium BC. Archäologische Veröffentlichungen 121, Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden. Archéo-Nil 27, 99‒100.

2016

Kindermann, K. (2016) Rezension zu: Barich, B.E., Lucarini, G., Hamdan, M.A. & F. Hassan (eds.), 2014 , From lake to sand – the archaeology of Farafra Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt. Sapienza University of Rome, Dipartimento di Scienze dell’Antichità, Ministry of Antiquities, Egypt; Fierenze, All’Insegna del Giglio. Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa 51/2, 282‒284.

2010

Kindermann, K. (2010), Rezension zu: Briois, F., Midant-Reynes, B. & M. Wuttmann (eds.) 2008, Le gisement épipaléolithique de ML1 à ‘Ayn-Manâwir, Oasis de Kharga. Institut français d’archéologie orientale FIFAO 58, Le Caire. Archéo-Nil 20, 193‒195.

Kindermann, K. (2010), Rezension zu: Vermeersch, P.M. (ed.) 2008, A Holocene Prehistoric Sequence in the Egyptian Red Sea Area: The Tree Shelter. Egyptian Prehistoric Monographs 7, Leuven (Leuven University Press). Bibliotheca Orientalis 67 (1-2), 62‒67.

Field Reports

2017

Henselowsky, F. & K. Kindermann (2017) Playas, palaeosoils and speleothems: dating Pleistocene archives with geo-archaeological methods. http://www.sfb806.uni-koeln.de/index.php/110-project-blog/a1/890-playas-palaeosoils-and-speleothems-dating-pleistocene-archives-with-geo-archaeological-methods

Kindermann, K. & F. Henselowsky (2017) Presenting our science to the public: CRC 806 at the research day of the Neanderthal Museum. http://www.sfb806.uni-koeln.de/index.php/110-project-blog/a1/885-crc-806-at-the-research-day-of-the-neanderthal-museum-presenting-our-science-to-the-public

2015

Saadallah, A. & K. Kindermann (2015) Interlinking the cultural with the natural environment – an example from the Djebel Duwi area (Eastern Desert, Egypt). http://www.sfb806.uni-koeln.de/index.php/110-project-blog/a1/813-interlinking-the-cultural-with-the-natural-environment-an-example-from-the-djebel-duwi-area-eastern-desert-egypt

Kindermann, K., Van Peer, P. & F. Henselowsky (2015) Report on the fourth field season in the Sodmein area, autumn 2014 (Eastern Desert, Egypt). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326203077_Sodmein_Playa_-_Report_on_the_fourth_field_season_in_the_Sodmein_area_autumn_2014_Eastern_Desert_Egypt

2014

Kindermann, K. (2014) On the trail of Late Pleistocene surfaces (Eastern Desert, Egypt). http://www.sfb806.uni-koeln.de/index.php/110-project-blog/a1/721-on-the-trail-of-late-pleistocene-surfaces-eastern-desert-egypt

2013

Henselowsky, F. & K. Kindermann (2013) Micromorphology at Sodmein Cave – looking at the lowest level of site formation processes. http://www.sfb806.uni-koeln.de/index.php/110-project-blog/a1/522-micromorphology-at-sodmein-cave-looking-at-the-lowest-level-of-site-formation-processes

Kindermann, K., Ritter, M. & O. Bubenzer (2013) Reconstructing palaeoenvironements. http://www.sfb806.uni-koeln.de/index.php/110-project-blog/a1/286-2013-01-project-a1

2012

Kindermann, K. (2012) Refitting and technological analysis. http://www.sfb806.uni-koeln.de/index.php/110-project-blog/a1/233-2012-02-project-a1

Kindermann, K., Van Peer, P. & O. Bubenzer (2021) Report on the third field season of the joint research project “Sodmein cave” (Eastern Desert, Egypt) in spring 2012. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271756133_Sodmein_Cave_-_Third_Field_Report_-_Season_2012

2011

Kindermann, K. & O. Bubenzer (2011) Geo-archaeological research at Sodmein Cave revisited. http://www.sfb806.uni-koeln.de/index.php/110-project-blog/a1/189-06-2011-project-a1

2010

Van Peer, P & K. Kindermann (2010) Report on the field season autumn 2010 in Sodmein Cave (Eastern Desert, Egypt). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271755540_Sodmein_Cave_-_First_Field_Report_-_Season_2010

Posters

Projects

Collaboration with the Belgian Archaeological Mission to Elkab (Royal Museums of Arts and History Brussels, Belgium) for the analysis of predynastic stone artefacts from Elkab, Middle Egypt
Collaboration with the German Archaeological Institute in Cairo for the analysis of stone artefacts from Tell el-Fara’in/Buto, (Nile Delta, Egypt (https://www.dainst.org/projekt/-/project-display/63537)
German-Egyptian Master study course “"Environmental Archaeology" (DAAD project) between the universities Cairo and Cologne
2012-2021 “Out of Africa – Late Pleistocene Rock Shelter Stratigraphies and Palaeoenvironments in Northeast Africa”, Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 806 – Our Way to Europe, Project A1 (https://www.sfb806.uni-koeln.de/index.php/projects/r-regional-models/a1.html)
2017 – 2018 „Cultic Landscapes of Early Egypt: In Search of Khasekhemwy’s Lost Temple at Elkab”, Belgian Archaeological Mission to Elkab, Royal Museums of Arts and History Brussels, Belgium (National Geographic – Global Exploration Fund), Project lead: Dr. D. Huyge
2009 – 2014 „Wadi Sura project (Gilf Kebir, Egypt)“, University of Cologne and Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Project lead: PD Dr. H. Riemer (https://wadisura.phil-fak.uni-koeln.de/start/wadi-sura-project)
2009 – 2011 Cultural Protection in the Gilf-Kebir-National Park (Egypt) for Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), Nature Conservation Sector (NCS) (CIM/GIZ funds)
2005 – 2007 Volp Caves (South France), FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Project lead: PD Dr. habil. A. Pastoors
1998 – 2007 „Climatic Change and Human Settlement between the Nile Valley and the Central Sahara”, Collaborative Research Centre 389 – ACACIA, Project A1 (https://www.uni-koeln.de/sfb389/)

Supervising activities

Master theses (Co-supervisor)

WS 2018

Samar Mahmoud Mohamed: Lithic tools collection from Seton Karr’s Excavation at Fayum, Cairo Egyptian Museum, P55 (EA Master, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University)

WS 2016/17

Dorothee Lammerich-Long: Out of Egypt – Agent-based model of human dispersal during MIS 5

Mirijam Zickel: Mikromorphologische Untersuchung des spätpaläolithischen Fundplatzes Blazi Cave( Albanien)

UNIVERSITY OF COLOGNE

Faculty of Arts and HumanitiesDepartment of Prehistoric Archaeology

Consultation hours

Current Projects

Research Interests

CV

Education

2006

1998

Employment

Memberships

Books and Edited Volumes

Contributions

Journal Publications

Reviews

Field Reports

Posters

Projects

Supervising activities

Master theses (Co-supervisor)