Shared Archaeology: Citizen Science in Berenike

The Berenike Project is a Polish–German archaeological expedition carried out jointly by the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology of the University of Warsaw and the University of Heidelberg. It aims to reconstruct daily life and investigate the trade networks of the ancient Red Sea port, whose inhabitants, sailors, and merchants participated in long-distance exchange across the Indian Ocean, reaching regions as distant as India, Africa, and Arabia. The project also incorporates citizen science initiatives, engaging volunteers in fieldwork—such as data collection, excavation documentation, and material analysis—as well as using digital platforms that allow remote participants to follow and contribute to the research.