- General
- Projects
- Publications
- Conferences
- Popularization of science
- Scholarships, distinctions
- Membership of scientific organisations
- Useful links
General
Researcher of the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures PAS since 2019
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Section: Department of Cultures of Asia and Africa, Section for the Study of Cultures along the Silk Road Room.321 |
Specialization and research interests:
Diplomacy and warfare of the great empires of the ancient Near East. Ancient intercontinental communication and trade routes as arenas for the exchange of ideas, technologies, and goods. The Asian and African peripheries of the Hellenistic world. Archaeometallurgy, ethnoarchaeology, and experimental archaeology.
Academic activity:
Field archaeologist, historian of ancient warfare, reenactor of traditional crafts with particular interests in metallurgical techniques, blacksmith.
2004 – M.A. in Archaeology, Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw.
2019 – Ph.D., Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures, Polish Academy of Sciences.
Since 2005 – Freelance archaeologist and member of archaeological expeditions in Turkmenistan (Mele Hairan), Egypt (Alexandria, Saqqara, Berenike), Cyprus (Nea Paphos), Sudan (Old Dongola), Kuwait (Bahra 1, Qusur – Failaka Island), and the United Arab Emirates (Saruq al-Hadid).
Collaborator of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, the Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów, and the State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw.
2016–2020 – Principal Investigator of the ‘Preludium’ National Science Center grant project entitled: The Character and Functioning of Hellenistic Berenike as a Red Sea Port Settlement and Its Evolution from a Military Base into an International Emporium.
Since 2019 – Researcher at the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures, Polish Academy of Sciences.
2023–2024 – Co-Director of the Polish–Indian archaeo-environmental research project in Pattanam region, Kerala, India.
Since 2025 – Director of the IMOC PAS Field Laboratory for research of the Red Sea and Indian Ocean region in Marsa Alam, Egypt.
Projects
Since 2009 – Member of The Berenike Project and, since 2025, Field Director for the Heidelberg University’s team. The Berenike Project is an international archaeological mission jointly directed by the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, and Heidelberg University, investigating Berenike Troglodytica (Greek: Trogodytika), the most important of the Ptolemaic–Roman ports on the "Great Spice Route" linking Egypt and the Mediterranean with East Africa, southern Arabia, and India.
Publications
Książki:
2010 - Armie Starożytnej Persji; od powstania państwa Achemenidów do upadku imperium sasanidzkiego, Zabrze: Infort Editions.
2015 - Termopile i Artemizjon - Pierwsza linia obrony Hellady, Zabrze: Infort Editions.
Artykuły:
2026 – M.Woźniak, Global Idea Versus Local Reality: the use of Local Materials and Technical Solutions in the Construction of the Early-Hellenistic Bath at Berenike, in: Joan Oller Guzmán & Jorge de Torres Rodríguez (eds.) From Local to Global; The role of local communities throughout the Red Sea history, Proceedings of the Red Sea Conference XI (Barcelona, 5th-7th June 2024): 29-47.
2025 – M.Woźniak, Berenike Troglodytika the Hellenistic-Roman gate to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean Region, in: M. Urteaga and A. Pizzo (Eds.) Entre Mares: Emplazamiento, infraestructuras yorganización de los puertos romanos: pp. 415-424 (Roma/Bristol: L’Erma di Bretschneider)
2022 - M.Woźniak, I. Zych, An early Roman burial ground in Berenike on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 31: 245-284.
2022 - M. Woźniak, S. Popławski, Water and Fire – The History of a Mound of Ash: Water Management in Hellenistic Berenike, Its Environmental and Logistical Setting, Études et Travaux XXXV: 163-187.
2022 - M. Woźniak, A. Carannante, I. Zych, More than just food from the sea: Exploitation of marine resources in Hellenistic Berenike on the Red Sea (Egypt), Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports 44(2):103515.
2022 - M. Woźniak, Berenike – why there; Environmental, economic and logistic conditions of the Hellenistic port/base location w: Networked spaces: the spatiality of networks in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean, ed by Caroline Durand, Julie Marchand, Bérangère Redon and Pierre Schneider, Archéologie(s) 8 (Lyon: Maison de l’Orient et de la Mediterreane Éditions), 73-95.
2021 - M. Woźniak, J.A. Harrell, When the well runs dry: climate instability and the abandonment of Early Hellenistic Berenike, Antiquity 95/380, Cambridge University Press; 349 – 366.
2021 - M. Woźniak, S.E. Sidebotham, M. Osypińska, A. Carannante, J. Rądkowska, Ptolemaic Berenike: Resources, logistics and daily life in a Hellenistic fortress on the Red Sea coast of Egypt”. American Journal of Archaeology 125/2, Archaeological Institute of America; 247-281.
2021 - M. Woźniak, Lost port of the Red Sea. Academia Letters, Article 213. (2021) Acedemia Edu.
2020 - M. Woźniak, Melting Indian crucible steel: experimental reconstruction of traditional production technologies. Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 29 (1). doi: 10.31338/uw.2083 537X.pam29.1.26.
2019 - M. Woźniak, Operating and defending Red Sea harbor centers and Eastern Desert trails in the Ptolemaic and early Roman periods: the case of Berenike. Polish Archaeology in Mediterranean 28/2: CAŚ UW; Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego; 389 – 409.
2019 - M. Woźniak, M. Osypińska, Livestock Economy at Berenike, a Hellenistic City on the Red Sea (Egypt). African Archaeological Review, vol. 36 issue 3: Springer; 367-382. DOI. 10.1007/s10437-019-09346-w.
2018 - M. Woźniak, Berenike of the Ptolemies: desert city, fortress” in. M. Peterková-Hlouchová, D. Belohoubková et al. Current Research in Egyptology 2018; Proceedings of the Nineteenth Annual Symposium, Czech Institute of Egyptology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, 25–28 June 2018. Oxford 2019, Archaeopress Publishing; 239-252.
2018 - M. Woźniak, J. Rądkowska, Berenike Trogodytika; Hellenistic fortress on the Red Sea coast. Antiquity, 92 (366), E5: Antiquity Publications Ltd, Cambridge University Press; 1-7. DOI.10.15184/aqy.2018.252.
2017 - M. Woźniak, Shaping a city and its defenses: fortifications of Hellenistic Berenike Trogodytika, Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 26/2 Special Studies, Berenike and Aynuna: Polish Research on the Red Sea, CAŚ UW; Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego; pp. 43-60.
2016 - M. Woźniak, S. E. Sidebotham, I. Zych, J. Radkowska, Archaeological fieldwork in Berenike in 2014 and 2015: from Hellenistic rock-cut installations to abandoned temple ruins, Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 25, CAŚ UW; Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego; 315-348.
2015 - M. Woźniak, S. E. Sidebotham, I. Zych, J. Radkowska, Berenike Project. Hellenistic fort, Roman harbor, late Roman temple, and other fieldwork: archaeological work in the 2012 and 2013 seasons. PAM 24/1 (Research) 2015, CAŚ UW; Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego; 297-324.
2015 - M. Woźniak, Indian steel — a forgotten commodity of the great trade routes. PAM 24/1 (Research). 2015, CAŚ UW; Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego; pp. 709-726.
2014 - M. Woźniak, J. Rądkowska, In Search of Berenike of the Ptolemees. The Hellenistic fort of Berenike Trogodytika, its localization, form, and development (part one) PAM 23/1 (Research 2011), 2014, CAŚ UW; Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego; 505-526.
2011 - M. Woźniak, “The Army of All Nation, Achaemenid Army in the Marathon Campaign” in: Ancient Warfare, Special Issue 2011. Marathon Battle, Karawansaray Publishers BV, Rotterdam; 3-11.
2011 - M. Woźniak, J. Rądkowska, Locating the Emporium of Berenike port and town of Berenike: Evidence of Geology, Geophysical Prospection and Satellite Mapping, in: Berenike 2008/2009; Report on the Excavations at Berenike, Including a Survey in the Eastern Desert, Warsaw 2011, CAŚ UW; Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego; 19-24.
2011 - M. Woźniak, Trench BE 09/54 Report w: Berenike 2008/2009; Report on the Excavations at Berenike, Including a Survey in the Eastern Desert, Warsaw 2011, CAŚ UW; Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego; 27-42.
2006 - M. Woźniak, Strategy and the Use of Terrain in the Battle of Porphyreon, 218 BC w: Bulletin d’Archeologie et d’Architecture Libanaises, vol.10, 2006; Direction Générales des Antiquités du Liban, 9-12.
2006 - M. Woźniak,, “Newly Discovered Latrine on Komel-Dikka (2005/2006 season)" in: Polish Archaeology in Mediterranean XVIII, Reports 2006: CAŚ UW; Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego; 41-44.
2006 - M. Woźniak, “Na krańcach świata - Bitwa pomiędzy Rzymianami i chińskim korpusem ekspedycyjnym w Basenie Tarymu” (w:) Archeologia Żywa, 1 (35) 2006; 33-38.
Conferences
8–10 February 2026 – International Workshop on the Latest Archaeological and Environmental Research in Egypt’s Eastern Desert, IMOC PAS Field Laboratory, Marsa Alam, Egypt. Organizer and Chair.
July 2024 – International Archaeological Workshop “Aqua Paphia”, Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures, Polish Academy of Sciences (IMOC PAS), Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw (PCMA UW), and Jagiellonian University.
Paper: A City Shaped by Water: Water Sources and Their Influence on the Form, Development and Functioning of Hellenistic–Roman Berenike Troglodytika.
June 2024 – The Red Sea Conference XI: From Local to Global – The Role of Local Communities Throughout Red Sea History, Barcelona, Spain.
Papers:
- Water Management in the Ptolemaic Port-City on the Red Sea Coast: Observations from Berenike in the 3rd–2nd Centuries BCE.
- Community Identities Seen Through the Graves of Roman and Post-Roman Berenike on the Red Sea (1st Century BCE–6th Century CE).
April 2024 – Place-making in the Desertscape: The Socialisation of the Egyptian–Sudanese Eastern Desert Landscape in the Longue Durée (4th Millennium BCE–4th Century CE), Cairo, Egypt.
Paper: The Open City versus the Closed City: Two Models of Power, Urban Life and Administration in the Berenike Region of Egypt’s Eastern Desert during the Hellenistic and Roman Periods.
May 2023 – Between Egypt and India: The Maritime Spice Route, Its Research and Popularization as a Factor in Scientific and Economic Development, Warsaw, Poland. Principal Organizer.
July 2022 – The Red Sea Project X, Rethymno, Crete, Greece.
Paper: Discovering Hellenistic Berenike: Answers, Questions and Perspectives.
November 2021 – Entre Mares International Conference, Irun, Spain.
Paper: Berenike Troglodytica and the Hellenistic–Roman Trade Routes in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean Region.
July 2021 – Poles on the Nile: Egyptological Conference.
Paper: Giving Drink to the Thirsty, Supplying the Travellers: The Water Supply System of Hellenistic Berenike—Discoveries and Perspectives.
July 2019 – The Red Sea Conference IX: Networked Spaces – The Spatiality of Networks in the Red Sea and the Western Indian Ocean.
Paper: Berenike: A Major Hellenistic Port on the Red Sea Coast.
October 2018 – I Seminari d'Egipte Romà, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain. Invited colloquium lecture.
Paper: Berenike: The Roman Gate to India.
September 2018 – International Council for Archaeozoology (ICAZ) Congress, Ankara, Türkiye.
Poster (co-author): Onycha Production on the Red Sea Coasts from Hellenistic Times to Late Antiquity: New Archaeomalacological Data from Berenike (Egypt), Adulis and Galala (Eritrea). (with A. Carannante, C. Zazzaro and I. Zych)
June 2018 – Current Research in Egyptology 2018, Prague, Czech Republic.
Paper: Berenike of the Ptolemies: Desert City, Fortress.
June 2018 – Poles on the Nile: Egyptological Conference.
Paper: Life in a Desert Fortress: Water Resources and Food Supply in Hellenistic Berenike Troglodytika.
July 2017 – The Red Sea Conference VIII: Coveted Treasure.
Papers:
- Water More Precious than Gold? Supply, Storage and Exploitation of Water Systems in Hellenistic Berenike Troglodytika.
- Reconstructing the Non-Existent: Magnetic Prospection in Tracing the Lost Hellenistic Architecture of Berenike.
- Traditional Methods of Crucible Steel Production: Archaeology in Theory and Practice.
Also conducted an experimental archaeology demonstration reconstructing the traditional Indian crucible steel-making process.
October 2016 – Mobiliers d'Égypte: Archéologie et Textes de l'Époque Hellénistique à la Période Mamelouke, Institut français d’archéologie orientale (IFAO), Cairo, Egypt.
Paper: A Gate to Hellenistic Berenike.
April 2016 – Exchange of Goods and Ideas: Long-Distance Trade in Asia in the First Millennium AD.
Paper: The Indian Steel Route: The Invention, Trade and Dissemination of Crucible Steel Technology within the Network of Ancient Trade Routes.
January 2016 – Berenike and Its Antecedents, Cairo, Egypt.
Paper: Hellenistic Fortifications in the Port City of Berenike Troglodytika on the Red Sea.
August 2015 – 19th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies.
Paper: In Search of Hellenistic Berenike and Its Contacts with the Southern Red Sea Region.
May 2015 – The Red Sea Conference VII: The Red Sea and the Gulf, Naples, Italy.
Poster: On the Discovery of Hellenistic Structures in Berenike Troglodytika.
June 2015 – Poles on the Nile: Egyptological Conference.
Paper: Beneath Hellenistic Berenike: Recent Discoveries within and around the Ptolemaic City Gate.
Popularization of science
December 2006 – January 2007 – Curator and guide of the first Polish exhibition of the Terracotta Army.
May–September 2014–2019 – Coordinator of a permanent experimental archaeology and historical blacksmithing workshop at the Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów, Warsaw.
September 2016 – Experimental archaeology exhibition during the Biskupin Archaeological Festival, featuring demonstrations of bloomery iron production and traditional crucible steel smelting, organized in collaboration with specialists from the State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw.
June 2017 and 2018 – Experimental archaeology exhibition during the Archaeological Festival ‘Dymarki Świętokrzyskie’, including live demonstration of reconstructed, iron age method of iron smelting in the bloomery furnace.
September 2020 – In collaboration with the blacksmiths of the Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów, production of replicas of seventeenth-century Polish military equipment using traditional forging techniques for a temporary museum exhibition.
September 2020 – Public lecture: Let's Make a Sword: An Introduction to Early Oriental Metallurgy, devoted to crucible steel technology and its dissemination through the long-distance trade networks of Asia, accompanied by an exhibition of steel samples, raw materials, tools and equipment used in crucible steel production during the pre-Islamic and Islamic periods.
May 2022 and 2026 – Organizer and coordinator of the reconstruction of an early medieval blacksmith's workshop during the European Archaeology Days in Chodlik, Poland.
November 2023 – Public lecture during the Grodzisk Mazowiecki Science Festival: On the Wings of the Southern Monsoon: The Story of Ancient Roman Merchants Sailing to Arabia Felix and India.
May 2024 – Public lecture during the Night of Museums at the State Archaeological Museum in Poznań: The Persian Empire: The Greeks' Formidable Neighbour – The Greatest Monarchy of the Ancient Near East Through the Eyes of Herodotus.
2024 – Series of interviews for the YouTube channel Reset Obywatelski, as part of the podcast Asia Incognita:
• The Silk Road
• The Adventurous History of the Greeks in India
• The Clash of the Near Eastern Empires with India
• India and the West: The First Encounter That Never Happened? (with K. Gutowski, M.A.)
2024–2025 – Organization and curatorial supervision of a permanent ethnographic exhibition presenting the cultures of the Afro-Asian desert belt tribes, with particular emphasis on the communities of Egypt's and Sudan's Eastern Desert, Wadi Sabarah Lodge, Marsa Alam, Egypt.
February–March 2026 – Co-organizer (with J. Radkowska, M.A.) of an exhibition at the IMOC PAS Field Laboratory, Marsa Alam, Egypt, presenting the technical aspects of archaeological fieldwork, research equipment and the daily life of archaeological missions operating in the Eastern Desert of Egypt and Sudan.
May 2026 – Public lecture at Leonid Teliga Primary School, Grodzisk Mazowiecki: In Pursuit of the Horizon: Ships, Storms and the Great Voyages of Early Mariners.
Scholarships, distinctions
August 2011 – Lanckoroński Foundation Scholarship, London, United Kingdom.
December 2013 – March 2014 – Scholarship of the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Cairo, Egypt.
September 2014 – February 2015 – Scholarship of the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Cairo, Egypt.
January 2016 – National Science Centre (NCN) PRELUDIUM Research Grant (No. UMO-2015/17/N/HS3/00163) for the project The Nature and Functioning of Hellenistic Berenike as a Red Sea Port Settlement and Its Evolution from a Military Base into an International Emporium.
July 2026–2029 – Scholarship of the Minister of Science and Higher Education for Outstanding Young Scientists.
Useful links
Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Dw0d6jEAAAAJ&hl=pl
Academia.edu: https://pan-pl.academia.edu/MarekWo%C5%BAniak
Orcid: https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0003-2450-0192