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Archaeologist and Journalist
Dr Matilda Siebrecht
Archaeologist and Journalist
Dassel, Germany
My research is fuelled by an interest in uncovering the stories of our shared past. Specializing in the prehistory of northern cultures, material culture studies, and science communication, my work combines innovative methodologies and detailed microscopic analysis to reveal the hidden narratives embedded in ancient artifacts. By bridging science and storytelling, I aim to make the past more accessible and engaging for diverse audiences.
A Bit About Me
I am an archaeologist and journalist with a specialization in the prehistory of northern cultures, material culture studies, and science communication. My research journey began with a fascination for storytelling and science, which naturally led me to archaeology. I was captivated by how scientific methodologies could breathe life into ancient stories, and this fascination deepened as I explored the intricate connections between people, objects, and the environments they inhabited. A longstanding interest in crafting and practical technologies sparked my focus on material culture studies and experimental archaeology. This path allowed me to delve into the microscopic world of artifact analysis, uncovering the hidden narratives etched into the smallest details of our past.
I have a postraduate diploma in Journalism (London School of Journalism), an MA in Archaeology of the North (Aberdeen University), an MSc in Archaeological Science and Material Culture Studies (Leiden University), and a PhD in Arctic Archaeology and Paleo-Inuit Material Culture (Groningen University). Throughout my education and beyond, I have increased my expertise across a wide array of materials and archaeological contexts, gaining insights that continuously inform my work.
In addition to my research, I hold several professional roles that allow me to contribute to and engage with the wider archaeological community. I am the Director of EXARC, the international society for experimental archaeology, which connects me to a global network of expertise in experimental and technological research. I also work as a finds specialist for Streichardt & Wedekind Archaeologie, a commercial excavation unit in Göttingen, where I deepen my understanding of local archaeological finds and contexts. Additionally, I serve as the social media coordinator and live events manager for the Archaeology Podcast Network, enabling me to collaborate with researchers worldwide and facilitate the exchange of knowledge across a range of specializations.
See below for an overview of my research project experience, and a bibliography of my scientific publications.
Project Experience
Paleo-Inuit Arctic Canada (2018-2023)
Kapuivik
Needle Point
Qulliapik
Avajja
Neolithic Anatolia (2017-2018)
Çatalhöyük
Late Neolithic Netherlands (2015-2016)
Kolhorn
Hijken Hooghalen
Emmerdennen
Viking Age Iceland
(2013-2014)
Experimental collection
During my PhD research, I analysed Paleo-Inuit organic material culture from several sites in the Foxe Basin region of Arctic Canada.
The cultural focus was the Dorset Culture, which was a predominantly nomadic population that inhabited the eastern Canadian Arctic between 800BC - 1300AD. The collections analysed came from recent excavations, as well as archival material excavated in the 1950s. My research methodology incorporated microscopic analysis of manufaturing and usewear traces, combined with experimental archaeology.
The artefacts were made from bone, antler, and ivory, and comprised a range of artefact categories and typologies. My research projects focused specifically on a detailed usewear analysis of the harpoon heads and needles, and a broad microscopic analysis of so-called "figurines", which have often been classified as art pieces.
I joined the 2017 excavation season at the world heritage site of Çatalhöyük in southern Anatolia in order to carry out an independent project: "Perforating Prehistory". This project investigated the manufacture and use of the stone and bone bead collection from the site, using a combination of microwear analysis and experimental archaeology.
During my MSc research, I analysed late Neolithic amber beads from a several sites in the northern Netherlands, including a settlement, a coffic burial, and a tumuli.
The methodlogical framework included various archaeological experiments and an analysis that focused on the drilling technology used in the production of the beads. The aim of the project was to investigate whether it was possible to identify the drill-bit material used to create the bead perforations, based on microscopic traces created during the manufacturing process.
My first experience with archaeological microscopic analysis occured during the experimental archaeological research undertaken during my MA thesis project. This project investigated Viking Age metalworking technology, based on finds from the early 10th century site of Vatnsfjörður in Southern Iceland.
The methodological framework of the thesis project was centred on experimental archaeology and investigated the different practical applications of seaweed to metalworking. Microscopic images of experimentally welded pieces were analysed to compare flux efficiency.
Scientific publications
Listed below are examples of my scientific publications. For examples of popular articles and science communication pieces, see my publications list on The Archaeologist's Teacup.
2023: with A. van Gijn, S. Lofthouse, E. Cencig, and K. Kotar. ‘Unstitching the Past: Experimental and Microwear Investigation of Dorset (Paleo-Inuit) Needles from the Foxe Basin Region’, Arctic 76(4), 445-463.
2022: with S. Desjardins. ‘In the Eye of the Beholder: Using microscopic analysis in the
interpretation of Tuniit (Paleo-Inuit) art’, Arctic Anthropology 59(1), 39-56.
2021: with M. Vasić (first author), C. Tsoraki and R. Veropoulidou (with contributions by V. García-Díaz), ‘Beads and pendants in life and death: insights into the production, use and deposition of ornamental technologies at Çatalhöyük’ In The matter of Çatalhöyük: Reports from the 2009-2017 Seasons. I Hodder. Oxbow Books: Oxford, 215-246.
2021: with S. Desjardins, P. Jordan, S. M. Hazell, S. Lofthouse, E. Cencig, K. Kotar, and A. van Gijn, ‘Magnifying the Differences: Investigating variability in Dorset Paleo-Inuit organic material culture using microscopic analysis” In Bones at a Crossroads: Integrating Worked Bone Research with Archaeometry and Social Zooarchaeology. M. Wild, B. Thurber, S. Rhodes, and C. Gates St. Pierre. Sidestone press: Leiden, 51-72.
2020: with D. Pomstra, ‘Hunting for Usewear: Investigating usewear traces on antler and bone harpoon heads from the Dorset cultures using experimental archaeology’, Journal of Experimental Archaeology, 2020/4, https://exarc.net/ark:/88735/1053.
2018: ‘Determining the production stages of interlocking beads from Neolithic Çatalhöyük using microwear analysis and experimental archaeology’, PAST 90, 4-6.
2017: ‘Perforating prehistory: An experimental project investigating bead technologies at Neolithic Çatalhöyük’, in S. D. Haddow (ed.), Çatalhöyük 2017 Archive Report, 237-241.
2016: ‘The Marks of Metal: An experimental project using microwear analysis to investigate amber beads from the northern Netherlands’ (unpublished MSc thesis)
2013: ‘Seaweed, Swords and Smoke: Assessing the practical significance of seaweed in a metalworking context during the Viking Age’ (unpublished MA thesis)