Origins of Mediterranean Civilization: Archaeology & City

Dr. Lorenzo Nigro serves as Professor of Near Eastern and Phoenician Punic Archaeology at Sapienza University of Rome, bringing over three decades of field experience across the Mediterranean and Near East. Since beginning his career at Ebla, Syria in 1989, he has led numerous significant archaeological expeditions, including the Sapienza University mission to Motya in Sicily and projects across Palestine and Jordan. His achievements include the discovery of the Sacred Area of the Kothon at Motya and the successful inscription of Tell es-Sultan/ancient Jericho in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. As Director of the Museum of the Ancient Near East, Egypt and the Mediterranean at Sapienza University, he oversees crucial cultural heritage preservation initiatives. His research spans pre-classical societies, from architecture to metallurgy, with particular focus on contextual archaeology and cultural synchronization. Through his Coursera course "At the Origins of the Mediterranean Civilization," he shares insights from his extensive fieldwork and research. His work includes developing the Palestine Archaeological Databank and Information System, demonstrating his commitment to preserving threatened archaeological heritage through digital documentation.