Bio

Justin Leidwanger's work focuses on Mediterranean mobilities, interaction, and maritime heritage. Ships and ports, especially in southeast Sicily and southwest Turkey, are central to exploring these themes in the field, providing evidence for connections and the long-term dynamics that shaped communities amid the economically, socially, and politically changing worlds from the rise of Rome through late antiquity and beyond.

Between 2013 and 2019, he led investigations of the 6th-century Marzamemi 2 “church wreck” (Sicily), which sank while carrying nearly 100 tons of marble architectural elements. Work continues through underwater survey, 3D analysis, and publication as well as immersive museum-based and pop-up exhibits and other initiatives. Project 'U Mari extends this collaborative and community-based field research across southeast Sicily, interrogating the heritage of diverse but co-dependent interactions with and across the sea that have long defined the central Mediterranean. These connections offer a resource for deeper critical engagement with the past, more meaningful identities in the present, and more sustainable development in the future. One facet of this work examines the socioeconomic dynamics spanning three millennia of tuna fishing through maritime landscape archaeology and documentation of the fading material culture and traditional knowledge of the mattanza. Another mobilizes archaeology to better understand the creation and circulation of plastics as maritime material assemblages, offering a window into socio-environmental systems. These efforts simultaneously foreground heritage activism through community-based archaeology of the spaces, materialities, and memories of contemporary journeys of forced and undocumented migration across these waters.

Justin teaches courses and advises students on topics in Hellenistic, Roman, and Late Antique archaeology, Mediterranean heritage, economies and interaction, port networks, ceramic production and exchange, and Greco-Roman architecture and engineering. The Maritime Archaeology & Digital Heritage Lab (MEDLab) at the Archaeology Center serves as a fieldwork base and collaborative resource for digital modeling (structured light scanning, laser scanning, photogrammetry, GIS, network analysis) and pottery analysis (petrography, pXRF, computational morphological analysis).

Author of Roman Seas: A Maritime Archaeology of Eastern Mediterranean Economies (Oxford), and editor or co-editor of five more volumes, including Regional Economies in Action (Vienna) and Maritime Networks in the Ancient Mediterranean World (Cambridge), he is currently working on two books. The first, entitled Fluid Technologies: Innovation on the Ancient Mediterranean, arises from research with students in the field, lab, and museum, analyzing transport amphoras, port infrastructure, and other clues to ancient technologies of distribution. The second, The Tuna Trap, explores the entanglement of mobilities that have and continue to bind the shores surrounding the Strait of Sicily.

Academic Appointments

  • Associate Professor, Classics
  • Associate Professor (By courtesy), Oceans

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Faculty Member, Stanford Archeology Center, Stanford University
  • Affiliated Faculty, Institute of Nautical Archaeology
  • Consulting Scholar, Mediterranean Section, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
  • Co-Director, Excavations of the 6th-century AD Marzamemi “church wreck," coast of Sicily, Italy
  • Member, Marzamemi Maritime Heritage Project
  • Co-Director, Excavations in the Archaic through late Roman harbors of Burgaz, coast of Datca peninsula, Turkey
  • Director, Maritime landscape surveys, coast of Cyprus (2003 - 2009)

Professional Education

  • Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, Art and Archeology of the Mediterranean World (2011)
  • M.A., Texas A&M University, Nautical Archeology, Anthropology
  • B.A., Loyola University, Chicago, History & Classical Studies

Contact

  • Academic
    jleidwa@stanford.edu
    University - Faculty Department: Classics Position: Associate Professor
    • 450 Jane Stanford Way, Main Quad
    • Building 110
    • Stanford,  California  94305 
    (650) 725-3801 (fax)

Additional Info

2024-25 Courses

Stanford Advisees

All Publications

  • Maritime hinterlands and interregional interaction at Late Antique Kekova Adası, Türkiye JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE-REPORTS Gross, J., Leidwanger, J., Ozdas, H., Kizildag, N. 2024; 58

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104709

    View details for Web of Science ID 001294487200001

  • Regional Economies in Action. Standardization of Transport Amphorae in the Roman and Byzantine Mediterranean Sonderschriften des Österreichischen Archäologischen Instituts edited by Leidwanger, J., González Cesteros, H. Austrian Academy of Sciences. 2023; 63
  • ROMAN PORT SOCIETIES: THE EVIDENCE OF INSCRIPTIONS (Book Review) JOURNAL OF ROMAN STUDIES Book Review Authored by: Leidwanger, J. 2022

    View details for DOI 10.1017/S0075435822000405

    View details for Web of Science ID 000836623100001

  • Toward Systematic Underwater Survey of Mediterranean Maritime Activity along the Southern Turkish Coast JOURNAL OF FIELD ARCHAEOLOGY Ozdas, H., Leidwanger, J., Gross, J., Kizildag, N. 2022

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00934690.2022.2076189

    View details for Web of Science ID 000804612200001

  • Ephemeral Heritage: Boats, Migration, and the Central Mediterranean Passage AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY Greene, E. S., Leidwanger, J., Repola, L. 2022; 126 (1): 79-102

    View details for DOI 10.1086/718177

    View details for Web of Science ID 000865980900019

  • UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AT VENDICARI, SOUTHEAST SICILY: A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE 2018 - 2022 WORK ARCHAEOLOGIA MARITIMA MEDITERRANEA-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY Leidwanger, J., Bartos, N., Wilker, S. T., Greene, E. S. 2022; 19: 113-120

    View details for DOI 10.19272/202204501006

    View details for Web of Science ID 000920803700006

  • Wandering Ports on the Datca Peninsula Exploring Regional Mobility in a Maritime Landscape HOMO MIGRANS Greene, E. S., Leidwanger, J., Daniels, M. J. 2022: 269-290

    View details for Web of Science ID 000973709200014

  • Welcome from the new editors JOURNAL OF ROMAN ARCHAEOLOGY Trimble, J., Ben Russell, Van Oyen, A., Leidwanger, J. 2021; 34 (1): 1-2

    View details for DOI 10.1017/S1047759421000398

    View details for Web of Science ID 000675421000001

  • The Sixth-Century CE Shipwreck at Marzamemi AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY Leidwanger, J., Greene, E. S., Donnelly, A. 2021; 125 (2): 283-317

    View details for DOI 10.3764/aja.125.2.0283

    View details for Web of Science ID 000721332300005

  • A NEW COMPUTATIONAL METHOD TO QUANTIFY MORPHOLOGICAL STANDARDIZATION AND VARIATION WITHIN CERAMIC ASSEMBLAGES ARCHEOLOGIA E CALCOLATORI Vo-Phamhi, J., Leidwanger, J. 2020; 31 (1): 55–76

    View details for DOI 10.19282/ac.31.1.2020.03

    View details for Web of Science ID 000605343000003

  • Roman Seas: A Maritime Archaeology of Eastern Mediterranean Economies Leidwanger, J. Oxford University Press. 2020
  • MARZAMEMI II 'CHURCH WRECK' EXCAVATION: 2019 FIELD SEASON ARCHAEOLOGIA MARITIMA MEDITERRANEA-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY Leidwanger, J., Sgroi, F. 2020; 17: 103–23

    View details for DOI 10.19272/202004501004

    View details for Web of Science ID 000636558100004

  • Archaeological Investigations in the Harbours of Burgaz, Turkey: 2011-2015 field seasons INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY Greene, E. S., Leidwanger, J., Tuna, N. 2019; 48 (1): 103–22

    View details for DOI 10.1111/1095-9270.12334

    View details for Web of Science ID 000459491400006

  • MARZAMEMI II 'CHURCH WRECK' EXCAVATION: 2018 FIELD SEASON ARCHAEOLOGIA MARITIMA MEDITERRANEA-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY Leidwanger, J. 2019; 16: 13–31

    View details for DOI 10.19272/201904501002

    View details for Web of Science ID 000565070800002

  • Knidian "Anyports": a model of coastal adaptation and socioeconomic connectivity from southwest Turkey MEDITERRANEAN HISTORICAL REVIEW Greene, E. S., Leidwanger, J. 2019; 34 (1): 9–25

    View details for DOI 10.1080/09518967.2018.1535396

    View details for Web of Science ID 000474871600002

  • Virtual simulation of a late antique shipwreck at Marzamemi, Sicily: Integrated processes for 3D documentation, analysis and representation of underwater archaeological data ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION Repola, L., di Carlo, N., Signoretti, D., Leidwanger, J. 2018; 25 (2): 99–109

    View details for DOI 10.1002/arp.1592

    View details for Web of Science ID 000434408200001

  • MARZAMEMI II 'CHURCH WRECK' EXCAVATION: 2017 FIELD SEASON ARCHAEOLOGIA MARITIMA MEDITERRANEA-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY Leidwanger, J., Tusa, S. 2018; 15: 37–55

    View details for DOI 10.19272/201804501004

    View details for Web of Science ID 000456701200004

  • New investigations of the 6th-c. AD "church wreck" at Marzamemi, Sicily JOURNAL OF ROMAN ARCHAEOLOGY Leidwanger, J. 2018; 31: 339–56

    View details for DOI 10.1017/S1047759418001368

    View details for Web of Science ID 000448487500016

  • Maritime Networks in the Ancient Mediterranean World edited by Leidwanger, J., Knappett, C. 2018
  • From Time Capsules to Networks: New Light on Roman Shipwrecks in the Maritime Economy AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY Leidwanger, J. 2017; 121 (4): 595–619

    View details for DOI 10.3764/aja.121.4.0595

    View details for Web of Science ID 000423056800004

  • MARZAMEMI II 'CHURCH WRECK' EXCAVATION: 2016 FIELD SEASON ARCHAEOLOGIA MARITIMA MEDITERRANEA-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY Leidwanger, J., Tusa, S. 2017; 14: 105–22

    View details for DOI 10.19272/201704501005

    View details for Web of Science ID 000433428600005

  • GLOBALISATION AND THE ROMAN WORLD: WORLD HISTORY, CONNECTIVITY AND MATERIAL CULTURE (Book Review) JOURNAL OF ROMAN STUDIES Book Review Authored by: Leidwanger, J. 2017; 107: 378-379

    View details for DOI 10.1017/S007543581700017X

    View details for Web of Science ID 000413526800049

  • The Making of the Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean from the Beginning to the Emergence of the Classical World (Book Review) CLASSICAL PHILOLOGY Book Review Authored by: Leidwanger, J. 2016; 111 (4): 465-469

    View details for DOI 10.1086/688864

    View details for Web of Science ID 000387578800010

  • An Assemblage of Early Modern Ordnance and Ground Tackle from South-west Cyprus INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY Howitt-Marshall, D., Jones, T. N., Leidwanger, J., Nowak, T. J. 2016; 45 (1): 175-180

    View details for DOI 10.1111/1095-9270.12142

    View details for Web of Science ID 000371242100013

  • MARZAMEMI II 'CHURCH WRECK' EXCAVATION: 2015 FIELD SEASON ARCHAEOLOGIA MARITIMA MEDITERRANEA-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY Leidwanger, J., Tusa, S. 2016; 13: 129-143

    View details for Web of Science ID 000433428100008

  • A Late Antique Ceramic Assemblage at Burgaz, Datca Peninsula, South-west Turkey, and the "Normality of the Mixed Cargo' in the Ancient Mediterranean INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY Leidwanger, J., Greene, E. S., Tuna, N. 2015; 44 (2): 300-311

    View details for DOI 10.1111/1095-9270.12110

    View details for Web of Science ID 000359419000004

  • MARZAMEMI II 'CHURCH WRECK' EXCAVATION: 2014 FIELD SEASON ARCHAEOLOGIA MARITIMA MEDITERRANEA-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY Leidwanger, J., Tusa, S. 2015; 12: 103-115

    View details for Web of Science ID 000453131100004

  • Burgaz (Palaia Knidos) 2012 Yılı Çalışmaları Kazı Sonuçları Toplantısı Tuna, N., Atıcı, N., Sakarya, I., Greene, E. S., Leidwanger, J. 2014; 35 (1): 60-75
  • Maritime Networks and Economic Regionalism in the Roman Eastern Mediterranean Les nouvelles de l’archéologie Leidwanger, J. 2014; 135: 32-38
  • Implementing Underwater Cultural Heritage ‘Best Practices’ in the Mediterranean: The Noto Meeting International Journal of Nautical Archaeology Leidwanger, J., Greene, E. S., Daniels, B. I., Leventhal, R. M., Tusa, S. 2014; 43 (2): 453-455
  • A Preliminary Archaeometric Analysis of the Late Roman 1 Amphoras from the Cargo of the Seventh-Century Yassıada Shipwreck, Turkey LRCW 4. Late Roman Coarse Wares, Cooking Wares and Amphorae in the Mediterranean Leidwanger,, J. edited by Poulou-Papadimitriou, N. Oxford University Press. 2014: 897–906
  • Marzamemi II ‘Church Wreck’ Excavation: 2013 Field Season Archaeologia Maritima Mediterranea Leidwanger, J., Bruno, N. 2014; 10: 191-198
  • Integrating an Empire: Maritime Trade and Agricultural Supply in Roman Cyprus Skyllis: Zeitschrift für Unterwasserarchäologie Leidwanger, J. 2014; 13 (1): 59-66
  • Review of "Trading Communities in the Roman World: A Micro-Economic and Institutional Perspective" Columbia Studies in the Classical Tradition Leidwanger, J. Leiden: Brill. 2014
  • Excavating the Harbors of Old Knidos INA Quarterly Greene, E. S., Leidwanger, J., Tuna, N. 2014; 40 (4): 8-13
  • Opportunistic Ports and Spaces of Exchange in Late Roman Cyprus JOURNAL OF MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGY Leidwanger, J. 2013; 8 (2): 221-243

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s11457-013-9118-0

    View details for Web of Science ID 000327067900003

  • Between Local and Long-Distance: A Roman Shipwreck at Fig Tree Bay off SE Cyprus Journal of Roman Archaeology Leidwanger, J. 2013; 26: 191-208
  • Review of "Maritime Technology in the Ancient Economy: Ship-Design and Navigation" Journal of Roman Archaeology Supplementary Series, American Journal of Archaeology Leidwanger, J. 2013; 117 (2)
  • Expanding Contacts and Collapsing Distances in Early Cypro-Archaic Trade: Three Case Studies of Shipwrecks off the Turkish Coast Transport Amphorae and Trade of Cyprus Greene, E. S., Leidwanger, J., Özdaş, H. edited by Lawall, M. L., Lund, J. Aarhus: Aarhus University Press. 2013: 21–34
  • Modeling Distance with Time in Ancient Mediterranean Seafaring: A GIS Application for the Interpretation of Maritime Connectivity Journal of Archaeological Science Leidwanger, J. 2013; 40: 3302-3308
  • Burgaz 2011 Yılı Çalışmaları Kazı Sonuçları Toplantısı Tuna, N., Atıcı, N., Sakarya, I., Greene, E. S., Leidwanger, J. 2013; 34 (3): 5-24
  • Law, Ethics, and Deep-Water Archaeology: the Wreck of Cesnola's Napried IKUWA3: Beyond Boundaries: The 3rd International Congress on Underwater Archaeology Greene, E. S., Leidwanger, J. edited by Henderson, J. Frankfurt: Roman-Germanic Commission. 2012: 83–88
  • Sourcing the Cargos of Three Archaic Shipwrecks: Kekova Adası, Kepçe Burnu, and Çaycağız Koyu Arkeometri Sonuçları Toplantısı Leidwanger, J., Özdaş, H., Greene, E. S. 2012; 27: 393-409
  • Mare Nostrum? Ethics and Archaeology in Mediterranean Waters AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY Greene, E. S., Leidwanger, J., Leventhal, R. M., Daniels, B. I. 2011; 115 (2): 311-319

    View details for Web of Science ID 000289609900013

  • Two Early Archaic Shipwrecks at Kekova Adasi and Kepce Burnu, Turkey INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY Greene, E. S., Leidwanger, J., Ozdas, H. A. 2011; 40 (1): 60-68

    View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1095-9270.2010.00265.x

    View details for Web of Science ID 000286887500005

  • Amphoras from an Early Imperial Shipwreck at Fig Tree Bay, Cyprus: International Imports and Local Imitations Rei Cretariae Romanae Fautorum Acta Leidwanger, J. 2010; 41: 9-16
  • Toward Best Practices in Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology International Journal of Nautical Archaeology Greene, E. S., Leidwanger, J., Leventhal, R. M., Daniels, B. I. 2010; 39 (2): 437-439
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5049-2774