Mark A. Brandes was a Professor at the University of Freiburg/Breisgau, where he established the study of Near Eastern archaeology. His research spanned a tremendous geographical and temporal range, from Greece through Egypt to the Indus valley and from the early history of Mesopotamia through Hellenism to the Islamic period. Brandes inspired his students with his great enthusiasm and his ability to awaken sustained interest in historical evidence.The influence of Brandes' pedagogy and his art historical approach has been lasting, as is abundantly clear in the articles in this Gedenkschrift: they include investigations of Alois Musil's research concept along with studies in the archaeology and cultural history of Mesopotamia and neighbouring cultures. The volume concludes with some memories and reminiscences from participants in Brandes' excavations in the 1980s and also includes a previously unpublished letter by Brandes himself, in which he reflects on the origin of his journey into ancient Near Eastern archaeology.
