Human Development in Landscapes

People

	Doctoral research student Björn Aewerdieck (Germany, 1978) Staatsexamen in History and German orosius@gmx.net
PhD project	Zeichen am Himmel. Deutung und Bewältigung eines spektakulären Himmelsphänomens von der Antike bis in die Frühe Neuzeit [Signs in the Sky. Interpretation and Mastering of a Spectacular Sky Phenomenon from Antiquity up to Early Modern Times]
Research interests	Contingency phenomena and their impact on human mind. Interpretation and cultural memorialization of abnormous natural events (prodigia, ostenta) – particularly celestial apparitions – throughout the ages between sapientia and scientia. History of meteorology. Historical and theological dimension of the ‘Prodigienliteratur’ of Early Modern Times (esp. late 16th century).
Education	Since April 2008 Member of the Graduate School “Human Development in Landscapes” at the Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel. February 2007 Graduation (Erstes Staatsexamen gymnasiales Lehramt, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, supervisor: Prof. Dr. P. Weiß) with an analysis of historical celestial cross apparitions in the Christian discourse, their contemporary reception as transrational/divine signs and the possibility of a modern meteorological explanation as halo phenomena – e.g. Constantine’s famous light cross apparition seen before the battle at the Pons Milvius (early 4th century), the solar cross phenomenon above Jerusalem 350 (351) A.D., the sky cross above Antiocheia 526 A.D. etc.
Work experience	2003-2007 Student research assistant, Department of Classics and Ancient History (University of Kiel). 2007 - 2008 Several research trips to Italy, extensive archive research in Rome, Naples and Umbria.
Selected publications	Forthcoming “Per memoria del miracolo”. Zu einer Kreuzeserscheinung über Spello und ihrer Perzeption. 2010 “Vp der hogen Cantzel des blawen Hemmels” - Prodigien und urbaner Raum: Deutung und Bewältigung eines spektakulären Halophänomens über Hamburg 1589, in: Groninger Hanze Studies (Hilversum 2009). 2010 Register zu den Wunderzeichenbüchern Job Fincels. Frankfurt a.M.

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