Looking Back to Gain a Full Perspective as You Move Forward

A small piece of glass, found deep in the Jordanian desert, overturned what we thought we knew about trade in the ancient Middle East. More specifically, analyses of glass and other materials from the fortress Khirbet al-Khalde in southern Jordan revealed that a trade route near the Red Sea was active for much longer than previously believed.

This analysis of the glass is a tangible example of how UrbNet’s research challenges and revises historical narratives through a research practice the center has coined high definition archaeology. This practice introduces new scientific methods and engages experts across disciplines while remaining firmly anchored in the grand cultural-historical questions.

“High definition archaeology means we examine specific material groups in much greater detail. With this approach, we gain totally new insights into how and when certain events changed the world. This could range from optimizing our chronological understanding of urban development to comprehending long-term changes like climate shifts and other societal and global transformations,” explained Rubina Raja.

She adds that the field of archaeology has used scientific methods for decades, but often, it’s the curiosity driven by science rather than deep humanistic questions that has propelled such projects. At UrbNet, however, the humanistic questions are the focal point:

“This is one of the things that the academic world is keeping an eye on, and for which we’ve introduced new standards.”

Thus, we present the third in a series of conversations on how the humanities and social sciences generate value and drive transformation in individuals and societies through solid basic research.

Measuring International Success

Rubina Raja sits in her small office, partly hidden behind piles of books and academic journals. Many of these books have been written by her and have been distributed around the world. The same is true of the Journal of Urban Archaeology, which UrbNet established just over five years ago. Raja reaches for the journal from the nearest stack and flips through it:

“There was something about urban archaeology over time that hadn’t been addressed from a global perspective—now things have exploded!

“For example, I was in the U.S. earlier this year giving a lecture series, and over 200 people attended the lectures. It also turned out that they use the Journal of Urban Archaeology as part of the curriculum at several U.S. universities. And that’s impactful when trying to build a shared understanding of which perspectives are truly interesting. It’s wonderful that not only have we at the center specialized in this, but that we’ve opened it up for others to understand what we do and why it’s important, and they are now adopting the same approach in many other fields—and on a global scale.

“The interest we face shows that we’ve tapped into an entirely unmet forum or segment. Today, everyone knows who we are, and they are eager to engage with us. Many want to visit us and learn from us.”

An Interdisciplinary Center Creating Strong Researchers with Exciting Career Opportunities

Raja also believes that UrbNet has made a significant impact in terms of research leadership.

“We’ve fostered a very open culture here at the center, about how we talk about our research and how we collaborate. We trust each other.”

She is equally convinced that the trust and openness promoted at the research center foster a research environment where you don’t have to keep findings under wraps until they are published.

“We don’t keep our research secret,” she explained, adding:

“Our Ph.D. students and post-docs are trained in a spirit that says if you want to know something, don’t be afraid to ask.”

According to Raja, it’s a huge advantage for students in that they are encouraged to seek out and utilize all the knowledge available at UrbNet, bridging archaeology, history, and the natural sciences.

“This kind of deeply interdisciplinary collaboration is unique and not very common elsewhere in the world. That’s likely one of the reasons so many of the center’s researchers have found jobs all over the world after ending their contracts. And as the center’s leader, I see that as a tremendous success—much of the center’s legacy lies in the people who carry this knowledge out into the world.”

A Sharp Eye on the World

It is also deeply embedded in UrbNet’s DNA to communicate to the general public. For instance, the center has developed the first interdisciplinary program with a humanities focus within the Science Club, which aims to make science a natural part of young people’s lives.

“The program was introduced last fall and was a huge success. It will be enlarged next fall, which is fantastic! Especially when we consider the political debate surrounding the humanities and all the budget cuts humanities programs are facing right now. For me, it’s important to show our politicians that humanities research does change how people behave; it’s difficult to shape well-rounded individuals who think holistically about problems if they do not also consider humanistic questions.”

UrbNet’s research has also reached out to the public through a variety of exhibitions. Raja mentioned the Palmyra exhibition at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and the Viking City exhibition at the Viking Museum in Ribe, involving her deputy center director, Søren M. Sindbæk. Both also contribute to Current World Archaeology, the world’s largest archaeology magazine, which reaches a quarter of a million readers.

Experts on Illicit Cultural Heritage

UrbNet’s research is obviously pointing toward an archaeological paradigm shift, and they have had great success in engaging the broader public. What is particularly interesting is that the center’s expertise is being utilized in international cultural and security policy contexts, in which UrbNet advises various organizations.

“Through our research in the Middle East, we’ve also become international experts on illegal cultural heritage and its illicit trade, collaborating with various global agencies handling these issues. We are incredibly proud of this because it shows that our research is solid, and we are known for our professional advice—not to be in the spotlight, but to share knowledge that can be difficult to contextualize for outsiders.”

In this way, Raja is proud that UrbNet’s knowledge is spreading globally and has grown from the expertise that not only she but the entire center has built, with each researcher carrying this knowledge to the global stage.

“It’s not hard to share the credit for UrbNet’s success, and so it’s not just me who is proud of this place—it’s all of us.”