Since 1999 four main objectives of research are being pursued. These comprehend:
Excavation projects
The application of modern methods in Archaeology - i.e. Geophysics and terrestrial research
Archaeometry ; the main interest is to write a history of pottery production in the investigation area; since 2008 also research work on ancient glass and faience industry
Since 2001 the institute's research focuses on the exploration of the Gadara region. The largest site in the area is the Tall Zira'a which comprises over 5000 years of settlement history. At this place in 2001 a survey was conducted. In 2003 started the first excavation of a long term project which is scheduled until 2020. Since 2004 the German Protestant Institute of ArchaeologyAmman is a partner of the project. Since 2006 the corresponding institute in Jerusalem participates likewise. The currently running excavation seasons are accomplished by a regional survey covering the greater Wadi al-'Arab area since 2009. On the Tall Zira'a settlements from over more than five millennia are being excavated. Furthermore, the agricultural potential as well as flora and fauna, geology, hydrology, trade relations and the strategically importance of the Wadi al-Arab are being explored. 25 km2 of the greater Wadi al-'Arab area were under research since 2009. In this area exist more than 100 sites which date from prehistory to the Islamic period. With the help of archaeometrical methods the artefacts from the Tall Zira'a are being examined concerning their respective materials. Thereby, the research concentrates on pottery, glass and faience to gain insight into the possible location of production sites and the technological knowledge. The research described above goes hand in hand with experimental archaeology, applying old techniques e. g. of constructing a potters oven and firing the products. The geophysical prospection of the Tall Zira'a used geoelectrical mapping, two-dimensional tomography and three-dimensional tomographical techniques to
plan archaeological excavations in advance as exact as possible and devise appropriate methods of excavation,
acquire knowledge concerning unexcavated areas and
Location University of Wuppertal (Bergische Universität Wuppertal)
On 13 July 2003 the move-in of the BAI in the facilities of the Bergische Universität, Campus Freudenberg was ceremonially solemnized. The stuff of the BAI is mainly concerned with the archaeological research of the finds from the Tall Zira´a. The BAI on the Campus Freudenberg of the Bergische Universität Wuppertal can easily be reached by car via A 1, A 46 and L 418. Public transport is being provided from Wuppertal central station by Bus "E". The institute is located on the 3rd floor of building FD.
