About the DEI Amman
During the first 60 years of its existence, the research of the German Protestant Institute for Antiquities of the Holy Land concentrated primarily on historical and topographical topics related to the Old Testament. As a result of the I. and II. The DEI was only able to resume regular research work after 1960 as a result of the First and Second World Wars. The Six-Day War of 1967 made it impossible for the Institute to continue the work it had begun in the East Bank from Jerusalem. Only with the help of an institute in the East Bank was it possible to continue the research.
Thanks to the great efforts of Dr. Ute Wagner-Lux, a plot of land was acquired in Amman in 1975. Between 1976 and 1980, the institute building was constructed in the north-west of Amman with funds from the “Volkswagen Foundation Hanover”. The official inauguration of the German Protestant Institute for Classical Studies of the Holy Land in Amman finally took place in April 1982.
Dr. Ute Wagner-Lux headed the institute in Amman until 1982. The following directors were: Dr. Ernst Axel Knauf (1982-1985), Dr. Thomas Weber (1985-1990), Dr. Susanne Kerner (1990-1995), Dr. Hans-Dieter Bienert (1996-2001), Dr. Roland Lamprichs (2001-2004), Dr. Jutta Häser (2004-2013), Dr. Frauke Kenkel (2013-2016) and, since October 2016, Dr. Katharina Schmidt.
The DEI Amman is one of the most important archaeological research institutions in Jordan and endeavors to promote intensive scientific exchange between Jordanian and international institutions. At the same time, it serves as a base for German researchers in Jordan. The DEI has been a research center of the German Archaeological Institute since 2007. https://www.dainst.org/standort/-/organization-display/ZI9STUj61zKB/18190
You can find out about past and current DEI Amman projects on our Facebook page:
