Robert Koldewey

Born in 1855 in Blankenburg am Harz, Robert Koldewey trained in architecture before moving into archaeology, and that background shaped the way he worked in the field. He became known for careful measurement, close attention to building remains, and a more systematic approach to excavation than was common in his time.

Koldewey is most closely linked with the German excavations at Babylon, where he worked for many years in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The dig revealed major parts of the ancient city, including the Ishtar Gate, sections of the processional way, and the foundations of important buildings, helping scholars understand Babylon on a much deeper level.

He died in 1925, but his reputation has lasted because of the scale of his discoveries and the precision of his methods. For readers interested in the ancient Near East, he remains one of the key figures behind the modern rediscovery of Babylon.