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Archaeological Excavation
The members of the archaeological team are often asked whether the entire Roman city has already been unearthed. Their answer will remain "no" for a very long time because at present only just under 20 percent of the total area of the ancient city has been excavated.
Prehistorian Dr. Norbert Zieling (on the right) heads the Archaeological Excavation department of the APX. Since 1988, he has been responsible for all archaeological research on the listed site of the city of Colonia Ulpia Traiana and its antique harbour.
Archaeologist Sabine Leih (in the middle) is the second scientist of the Archaeological Excavation department. In addition to the planning, organisation and supervision of the excavations, she actively promotes young scientists.
Christina Smerz (on the left) supports the Scientific Service, helping them, for example, to store the excavation documentation.
Edeltraud Mittag (not shown) archives the numerous field drawings, photos and other documents. She is also responsible for picture
requests and the APX slide library.
Excavation team
The members of the excavation team of the APX work the whole year round come rain or shine. They are well equipped for any weather, but most of the time the temperate climate of the Lower Rhine region offers them excellent conditions.
Like most of his colleagues, foreman Bernd Münster (on the left) has been excavating the remains of Colonia Ulpia Traiana in Xanten since the 70s. Site technician Hermann Keusemann (in the background) and excavator Horst Glatz (in front of him) also have many years of experience. Draughtsman Klaus Girnus (on the right) makes scientific field drawings.
The team's other foreman, Lothar Seerau (in the middle), is a veteran of the excavations in Xanten. Younger colleagues like Carsten Petter (on the left) and Jean-Claude Fataki (on the right) benefit from his rich experience.
Site technician Peter Ickelsheimer (in the middle) follows the excavations and is responsible for the surveying of all sites. His work provides the basis for the archaeological maps of the Roman city. Draughtsman Winfried Otto (on the left) and excavator Udo Göd (on the right) complete the ten-man excavation team.
Finds processing
Every excavation in the Roman city unearths pieces of pottery, bones and many other Roman artefacts. Meanwhile several million finds are stored in the APX depots.
The finds are packed in tens of thousands of boxes which are stored in four huge halls. Even Dr. Ulrich Boelicke (not shown), who has been working with the finds for many years, only has a vague idea what the innumerable boxes contain because not all finds can be analysed right away.
Dr. Bernd Liesen (on the left) is currently standing in for the scientific director of the finds processing team, Dr. Boelicke. The excavations constantly unearth new finds that have to be analysed by him.
Torsten Uffermann (on the right) is the depot manager. He ensures that all finds are sorted and labelled before they are stored.
Graphics
The graphic artist is one of the most sought-after colleagues at the APX.
All departments of the APX come to Horst Stelter whenever finds have to be drawn, publications have to be prepared, information boards have to be illustrated or new findings about the excavations and buildings have to be visualised.
