Africa research moves into the home office
The world pauses – the new Covid-19 virus also leaves its mark on the priority programme “Entangled Africa”. Carefully planned campaigns have been prematurely broken off or cancelled, trips by our African partners have been postponed. But there is also plenty of work to be done in the home office.
The everyday life of an archaeologist is mostly divided into three parts: Field work, sampling in the laboratory and processing for publication. Laboratory analysis and data evaluation, interpretation and writing of results usually takes more time than the preceding work in the field. So our researchers are currently devoting themselves to the last step as best they can. The selection of literature is currently limited, and it may not even be possible to consult the colleagues right next door. But the limitations are also seen as an opportunity. Digital access to libraries and repositories seems more than ever to be of indescribable value. Online conference systems are experiencing an upswing. We would therefore like to thank all the institutions and libraries that work every day to make material and software digitally available and accessible.
We must rethink in times of corona. Our thoughts are currently with the numerous crisis helpers, as well as with our colleagues in Africa and around the world. We hope that they and their families will survive this time in good health and that we will soon be able to sit down at the same table again for field research and scientific exchange.
For many people in our country and around the world, everyday life is currently a high-risk zone. They are directly involved in the fight against the virus and for the maintenance of infrastructure and a bit of normality.
A small part we can do as well. We remain curious – but for now from home.
Stay healthy!
Your “Entangled Africa” Team
Fig. 1 © Tim Karberg 
Fig. 2 © Øyvind Eide
Fig. [1] Jana Eger from the project “Interregional Contacts in North Kordofan” evaluating satellite images at her desk at home
Fig. [2] Empty alleys in Venice – Øyvind Eide from the data management project on the way to shopping
