Mirko Surdi is an FWO - Fundamental Research PhD fellow (primary institution: University of Ghent; partner institution: Polytechnic University of Milan). He was awarded a BA in Ancient Civilizations and Archaeology by the University of Naples "L'Orientale" (in collaboration with IPE, CCUM). After moving to Venice, he completed his MA in Ancient Civilizations: Literature, History, and Archaeology at Ca' Foscari University. During this phase of his academic journey, Mirko seized the opportunity to collaborate with the Polytechnic University of Milan and to contribute to archaeological expeditions within Italy and internationally (Egypt, Israel, Iraq). Following his graduation, Mirko earned the title of honorary fellow in History of Ancient Near East at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. At Ghent University, he is working on the project “From the 21st Century BC to the 21st Century AD. New Methodological Approaches for the Analysis of a Corpus of Unpublished Cuneiform Tablets”. The project aims to analyze 200 unpublished tablets from the Ur III period (2112-2004 BC), utilizing cutting-edge digital techniques such as Social Network Analysis (SNA), Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), Photogrammetry, 3D scanning, and Computer Tomography to unlock new insights into ancient civilizations. Mirko has recently been awarded two grants that have allowed the use of a third-generation particle accelerator (Synchrotron) on a group of cuneiform tablets. This innovative approach has allowed him to read tablets covered with salt encrustations without resorting to invasive methods for salt removal. Mirko's passion for photography deeply intertwines with his academic and research endeavors. Mirko is convinced that photography can significantly impact the preservation and understanding of cultural heritage, underscoring the vital role of photography in historical documentation and archaeological research through the possibility of capturing intricate details and visually enhancing artifacts.
