The four seminars will be organized as hybrid events at the University of Helsinki and in Zoom (details below).
Each themed session will consist of two talks followed by a shared discussion, and everyone are most welcome to participate!
Thursday 19 February 2026 (16:15-18:00 EET): Astrology and Occult Sciences
- Dr. Aida Alavi: “One Sky, 360 Images” (in person)
- Dr. Jeffrey Kotyk: “Astral Magic and Horoscopy in East Asia: Indo-Iranian Connections” (online)
Live venue: Theology Faculty Room, Fabianinkatu 33, room 4938
Virtual venue: Zoom - Meeting ID: 678 8979 2118/
Thursday 26 March 2026 (16:15-18:00 EET): Stimulants in the Ancient World
- Dr. Diana Stein-Wuenscher: “Experiencing Altered States: Stimulants, Ritual Practice and Power in the Ancient Near East””
- Dr. Anna Jarosz-Wilkołazka: “Stimulants in Roman Germany”
For this session, please join us only virtually: Zoom - Meeting ID: 678 8979 2118/
Thursday 30 April 2026 (16:15-18:00 EEST): Macrolithic Technology in the Ancient Mediterranean
- Dr. Danai Chondrou: “Tracing cultural traditions and identities in prehistoric Greece through the study of macrolithic tools”
- Dr. Francesco Michele Rega: “Exploring the Potential of Macro-Lithic Tool Studies for Understanding Socio-Economic Dynamics in Neolithic and Bronze Age Morocco”
Live venue: Theology Faculty Room, Fabianinkatu 33, room 4938
Virtual venue: Zoom - Meeting ID: 678 8979 2118/
Thursday 7 May 2026 (16:15-18:00 EEST): Cuneiform texts and scribal adaptation
- Prof. Gian-Pietro Basello (Associate Professor in Elamite Language): “How to Learn Cuneiform in Elam: Scribal Adaptation of Mesopotamian Models”
- To be confirmed
Live venue: Theology Faculty Room, Fabianinkatu 33, room 4938
Virtual venue: Zoom - Meeting ID: 678 8979 2118/
We hope to see you there!