Gunnar Dumke has examined 4,500 coins. The image of a silver tetradrachm of the Indo-Greek ruler Archebios is on the monitor behind him (coin collection of the Berlin State Museums, photographer: Lutz-Jürgen Lübke).
© Jens Schlüter
23.02.2022 in Science, Research

The secrets of ancient coins

Historians are still partly in the dark when it comes to the history of Central Asia. Little is known about the Greek kingdoms that were established in the course of Alexander the Great’s conquests. Gunnar Dumke, an ancient historian and archaeologist, has examined 4,500 coins that provide far more information about the rulers than any written sources. Read more

Citizen scientist Isa Brähler, doctoral student Moritz Müller, citizen scientist Joachim Hassel and project manager Katrin Moeller (from left to right) in the library of St. Mary’s Church where the original church records are kept.
© Michael Deutsch
20.10.2021 in Featured, Science, Research

Genealogy research for science

Isa Brähler and Joachim Hassel are gathering data from old church records as part of a citizen science project. Their efforts form the basis of the work being done by researchers at MLU to find out more about the marriages of 19th-century families in Halle. Their aim is to better understand social class structure at the time. Read more

In addition to city books, such as the “Hallische Kämmereibuch” 1451 – 1541 (in the background), historians also find notices like the “Gesatzte belonunge der widder kauff briue Anno etc. Decimo” – an “ordinance on the level of interest on loans” from 1510 which was probably publicly displayed on or in the town hall.
© Maike Glöckner
29.09.2016 in Research, Science

The memory of a city

How did the people of a Medieval city organise their living? How did the council rule? How did they punish environmental offenses? These and much more information can be found in the laws, protocols and letters of the administration. Since the 13th century those things were written down in city books. A team, headed by historian Professor Andreas Ranft and Dr Christian Speer, can finally make these books accessible to research thanks to funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG). Read more

Katrin Moeller works in the institute’s new building on the Steintor Campus. This is also where the Historical Data Centre of Saxony-Anhalt is located.
© Michael Deutsch
07.04.2016 in Featured

Data tells history

Regardless of whether they are old photos or town records, historical data is the basis for conducting research at the Institute of History. But what needs to be taken into account when working with and digitalising data? Budding historian Dr Katrin Moeller advises in this area. Read more

“It is a minor miracle that the accompanying raw data is almost fully complete,” explains Christina von Hodenberg about her object of research.
© Michael Deutsch
26.05.2015 in People, Science

One and a half tonnes of valuable files: winner of the Humbolt Research Award brings wealth of data to Halle

The data of the oldest German collection of biographical interviews recorded on audio tape was believed to have gone missing years ago. Now it is stored at MLU. The transfer was facilitated by a Humboldt Research Award winner, Prof. Christina von Hodenberg, who is originally from Queen Mary University London and currently working in Halle. Read more