Dr. Frederick Hardtke

Biography

Frederick completed his BA at Macquarie University in 2003, followed by an MA Research in 2012 and a PhD in 2016. His PhD dissertation focused on the role of rock art in understanding social and cultural dynamics at the Predynastic and Early Dynastic site of Hierakonpolis, Egypt. With a background in engineering, Frederick specializes in Virtual Reality modeling and simulation and applies these techniques to Virtual Digital Heritage management research. He has over 20 years of fieldwork experience in archaeology, including excavation, survey, satellite remote sensing, and techniques related to ceramics and lithics processing. He has conducted archaeological excavations at several sites in Egypt, including those from the Prehistoric to Roman periods, such as the Early Dynastic site of Helwan and various sites in the Dakhleh oasis. In 2007, he began to specialize in rock art material culture, commencing a desert rock art survey in Dakhleh. He has led significant rock art research components, including the Hierakonpolis Expedition in 2009 and directed the Belgian-Australian archaeological mission to El Hosh in 2019. His projects aim to record petroglyphs and preserve cultural heritage using modern capture techniques. Frederick has a strong interest in the cultures inhabiting arid environments and their survival strategies, particularly through the lens of material culture, which often includes rock art. He is also dedicated to preserving heritage and educating the public through virtual and digital means.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards