Job Titles

Department of Archaeology
Professor of Prehistoric Europe and Heritage Studies, University of Cambridge, Department of Archaeology,
Emeritus Professor of Bronze Age Studies, Leiden University
Director Cambridge Heritage Research Centre 2018-19 & 2020-21
Fellow Jesus College, Cambridge.
Member of the Cambridge Heritage Research Centre’, Director 2018-19 & 2020-21
Education:
Professional History:
Prizes, honours, appointments and Affiliations:
Prizes and honours
Membership
Advisory bodies
I have several specific research interests as well as feeling deeply involved with the Archaeological project as such. The underlying thematic link between my current research interests is the connection between identity and material culture. I am exploring this theme through archaeological case studies, through Heritage Studies, and through gender studies.
Bronze Age temperate Europe
Since my first undergraduate essays on the Bronze Age I have been intrigued about the nature and characteristics of communities during this period. I have worked with material from Scandinavia, England and central Europe, and been involved with the investigation of new data as well as revisiting old classic sites, such as the grave of Leubingen. I am interested in investigating the mechanisms which, within local cultural contexts, enable the development and maintenance of local traditions and the construction of various kinds of identities. My research has rested on the premises that material culture is an important medium for cultural communication and is actively involved in the formation of the cultural context. I am currently investigating the spread of cremation during the Middle Bronze Age and the implication it had for attitudes to the body. I am also using the experience from excavating on the Bronze Age tell at Szazhalombatta, Hungary, to rethink the nature of the household during the Bronze Age.
Archaeological theory and Gender Studies
I believe all archaeology must involve theory but also that theory should be treated as instruments for exploration rather than directives. Within archaeological theory, I have in particular been involved with the development of gender archaeology. I have explored ideas about the materialization of gender and the interconnection between gender and other social ideals.
Historiography and Heritage Studies
Although Historiography and Heritage Studies are now two distinct sub branches within archaeology, for me they have been naturally interwoven. They provide deeply important dimensions to our understanding of archaeology as a contemporary practice and to the importance of the past in the present. I have worked on the 19th century history of the discipline and the origin of concepts such as typology. I am especially interested in the role of the past in the present with particular focus upon nationalism and identity formation and on how the tangible or intangible heritage is assigned value and is used in identity discourses. My interests also include working on the development of explicit methodologies for heritage studies. I am currently working specifically on how reconstruction of heritage after deconstruction impact identity and sense of belonging. Recent research has focused on memorials and monuments and their exploration as political tools in the public space. I am interested in working on heritage and food.
1 |
Bender Jørgensen, L., Sofaer, J. and Sørensen M. L. S. 2018. Creativity in the Bronze Age. Understanding Innovation in Pottery, Textile, and Metalwork Production. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. |
2 |
Kristiansen, K. and M.L.S. Sørensen 2020. Wool in the Bronze Age: Concluding Reflections. In Sabatini, S. and S. Bergerbrant (eds) The Textile Revolution in Bronze Age Europe. 317-332. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press |
3 |
Sørensen, M.L.S., Viejo Rose, D. and P. Filippucci 2019. Memorials and Memorialisation: History, Forms, and Affects. In Sørensen, M.L.S., D. Viejo Rose, and P. Filippucci (eds) Memorials in the Aftermath of Armed Conflict. 1-32. London: Palgrave. |
4 |
Sørensen, M.L.S. 2019. What is gender transformation, where does it take place and why? Reflections from archaeology. In Julia Katharina Koch and Wiebke Kirleis J. Kock (eds) Gender Transformations in Prehistoric and Archaic Societies. Scales of Transformation in Prehistoric and Archaic Societies Vol. 6. 107-20. Kiel: Kiel University |
5 |
Sørensen, M.L.S. 2014. ‘Paradigm Lost’ – on the state of typology within archaeological theory, In K. Kristiansen, L. Smejda and J. Turek (eds) Paradigm Found. 84-94. Oxford: Oxbow. |
Books
Edited volumes
1. Baillie, B. and M.L.S. Sørensen 2020. Forthcoming. African Heritage challenges. London: Palgrave.
2. Sørensen, M.L.S., D. Viejo Rose, and P. Filippucci (eds) 2019. Memorials in the Aftermath of Armed Conflict. From History to Heritage. Pp 1-312. London: Palgrave.
3. Sørensen, M.L.S. and D. Viejo Rose (eds) 2015. War and Cultural Heritage. Biographies of Place. Pp 1-290. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
4. Sørensen, M.L.S. and K. Rebay-Salisbury (eds) 2013. Embodied Knowledge. Pp 1-154. Oxford: Oxbow.
5. Chatzoglou, A., A. Polyzoudi, M.L.S. Sørensen, and S. Taha 2011. Guest editors, Historic Environment, Volume 23 number 1, March 2011.
6. Rebay-Salisbury, K., Sørensen, M.L.S., and J. Hughes (eds) 2010. Body Parts and Bodies Whole: Changing Relations and Meanings. Pp 1-176. Oxford: Oxbow.
7. Sørensen, M.L.S. and J. Carman (eds) 2009. Heritage Studies: Methods and Approaches. Pp 1-360. London: Routledge.
8. Diaz-Andreu, M. and M.L.S. Sørensen (eds) 1998. Excavating Women: A history of Women in European Archaeology. Pp 1-336. London: Routledge.
9. Sørensen, M.L.S. and R. Thomas (eds) 1989. The Bronze Age - Iron Age Transition in Europe: Aspects of Continuity and Change in European Societies c. 1200-500 B.C. BAR. International Series, 483, vol. 1 and 2. Pp 1-492. Oxford: BAR International Series.
10. Sørensen, M.L.S. and K. Levinsen (eds) 1979. Archaeology as a Social Science. Pp 1-184. Århus: Department of Archaeology, Kontaktstencil 16.
Articles and Book chapters (after year)
Notes, not refereed journals, newsletters, and other publishers
Sørensen, M.L.S. 2020. Past, present, future - the tangible and intangible heritage of the Borneo longhouse. In ‘Spotlight on…’ https://www.heritage.arch.cam.ac.uk/
Undergraduate teaching
I have taught at all levels of undergraduate teaching covering European prehistory, various aspects of theory, and heritage related topics
MPhil student supervision
I have supervised in excess of a hundred and fifty MPhil students during my employment, including dissertations dealing with various aspects of the Bronze Age, prehistory generally, archaeological theory, and heritage.
PhD student supervision
I have supervised some 55 PhD students to completion, most of these have gained lectureships or become curators in Later European Prehistory or Heritage Studies (in the UK, Bermuda, Botswana, Cyprus, Ireland, South Korea, Norway, Taiwan, The Netherlands). Two have gained university administrative posts and some have positions outside universities and museums. I have also acted as Advisor to a number of PhD students supervised by colleagues including for non-UK universities.
Please note that I am not currently available for PhD supervision.
Current Students:
Past Students:
Peer evaluation
I do a substantial amount of peer evaluation both in the UK and abroad, including for research councils, other funders, and for publication (for details see under my biography)
Research collaborations
I have been or am involved in several research collaborations, including:
i. Under the auspices of the EU funded CRIC project (CRIC – Cultural Heritage and the Re-construction of identities after Conflict) I worked with and coordinated a number of partners based at ten different research institutions in Europe (for a list of partners see http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/cric/cric.html).
ii. Through the EU funded ‘Forging Identities’ project I collaborated directly with six academic partners (Network partners), and eleven associated partners from a number of European research institutions, for a list of partners see www.forging-identities.com
iii. Through the HERA funded ‘Bronze Age creativity’ project I collaborated directly with the ten academic researchers attached to the project.
iv. I am one of the directors of the Szazhalombatta tell-site excavation team and work in close collaboration with Dr M. Vicze (The Matrica Museum, Hungary) and Prof. J. Sofaer (University of Southampton) on the excavation, coordinating post-excavation analyses, and publication.
v. I collaborated with C. Evans (Cambridge Archaeological Unit), Konstantin Richter (Jean Piaget University, Cape Verde), and the Cape Verdean Ministry of Culture on the first scientific archaeological exploration of the early slave trans-shipment centre, Cidade Velha, on Cape Verde.
vi. Advisor on project “Late Bronze Age mortuary practices and society in southern Carpathian Basin” funded by the Croatian Science Foundation (2015-2017).
vii. Through the Cambridge Heritage Research Centre I am a consultant on the “Western Sudan Community Museum (WSCM) Project” funded by the British Council Cultural Protection Fund.
Ongoing Research Project:
I am currently directly involved in a range of research project, these stretches from prehistory to heritage and involve working in the UK, Hungary and in Cape Verde. Current projects include:
Bronze Age tell at Százhalombatta-Földvár, Hungary: (http://sax.matricamuzeum.hu/) Ongoing excavation since 2000, first phase of site currently under publication.
Yangshao Culture: 100 Year Research History and Heritage Impact, funded by the Shanghai Academy of Guyewang Studies. (https://www.heritage.arch.cam.ac.uk/research-projects/yangshao/yangshao)
Recording Decisions and Actions connected with Claims for the Removal/Protection of Statues in UK Civic Spaces during the Summer of 2020
(https://www.heritage.arch.cam.ac.uk/research-projects/uk-statues-project)
The Barrow Revival Project: The Barrow Revival Project looks at public attitudes and engagements with newly built chambered tombs which seek to replicate a prehistoric form for the internment of modern cremations.
Cabo Verde: At the invitation of a local university and the island's Ministry of Culture's IPC, Chris Evans & Marie Louise Stig Sørensen have been investigating the early Portuguese foundation settlements of Cidade Velha and Alcatrazes since 2006. Founded in the middle decades of the 15th century, and then for some three centuries Cidade Velha became the Islands' capital, and a major hub of the Atlantic Slave Trade, with thousands of Africans transhipped each year to the Americas. Alcatrazes founded almost at the same time failed after a generation and the area abandoned according to historical sources, although excavations have found remains of Luso-african habitations post-abandonment.
Postal Address:
Department of Archaeology
Downing Street
CB2 3DZ Cambridge
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