Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Short presentation
Christophe Helmke is Associate professor of American Indian Languages and Cultures at the Institute of Cross-cultural and Regional Studies, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on the archaeology, epigraphy, iconography and languages of Mesoamerica. Since 2000 he has tutored hieroglyphic workshops as part of a series of conferences in Europe as well as North and Central America. Besides Maya archaeology and epigraphy, other research interests include the Pre-Columbian use of caves, Mesoamerican writing systems as well as rock art and comparative Amerindian mythology.
Education:
- PhD (2009) Archaeology, Institute of Archaeology, University of London, London
- MA (2001) Archaeology (with distinction), Institute of Archaeology, University College London
- BA (1997) Anthropology (with honours), Department of Anthropology, McGill University
Fieldwork:
- 2025-2027: Epigrapher, Proyecto Circul-Art (Gerda Henkel Stiftung)
- 2023-2024: Archaeologist, Lamanai Conservation and Preservation Project
- 2019-2024: Co-Principal Investigator, De centralmexikanske skriftsystemer og kalendere (Velux Fonden)
- 2018-2019: Project Epigrapher, Caracol Archaeological Project
- 2014-2024: Project Epigrapher, Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project
- 2009-2014: Principal Investigator, Scribal Practices and Dialects in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica (Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond/FKK)
- 2005-2007: Co-director, Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project
- 1999-2003: Field Director, Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project (Pook's Hill)
- 1997-1999: Archaeological Surveyor and Illustrator, Western Belize Regional Cave Project
- 1996-1996: Excavator, Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance Project (Baking Pot)
- 1995-1995: Excavator, Nagaoka Kyō Salvage Excavations (Kyōto Research Institute for Buried Cultural Properties)
- 1994-1995: Excavator, Sanctuaire Gallo-Romain de la Tour aux Fées (CNRS)
- 1993-1994: Excavator, Centre Archéologique Européen du Mont Beuvray (Bibracte)
Keywords
- Faculty of Humanities
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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A History of Speleoarchaeological Investigations at Yaxchilan, Mexico
Helmke, C., Echauri Pérez, I. & Tejeda Monroy, E. A., 2025, Exploring the Mesoamerican Subterranean Realm. Brady, J. & Verdugo, C. (eds.). Denver: University Press of Colorado, p. 281-322Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review
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Gudernes mad: Chokolade og kakao i Mesoamerika
Helmke, C. & Boldt-Lund, M., 2025, In: Geografisk Orientering. 55, 1, p. 22-29Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Communication
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The Cerro de la Estrella and the Politics of Time
Montero García, I. A., Helmke, C. & Brady, J. E., 2025, Exploring the Mesoamerican Subterranean Realm. Brady, J. & Verdugo, C. (eds.). Denver: University Press of Colorado, p. 143-165Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review
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The Language of Teotihuacan Writing
Pharao Hansen, M. & Helmke, C., 2025, In: Current Anthropology. 66, 5, p. 705-739Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
File10 Downloads (Pure) -
Two Ancient Maya Tattooing Tools from Actun Uayazba Kab (Handprint Cave), Belize
Stemp, W. J., Voorhis, L., Helmke, C., Griffith, C. & Awe, J., 2025, In: Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. 64, 105158.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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Una evaluación de la cultura material maya encontrada en Teotihuacán y sus posibles significados: artefactos de cerámica y piedra verde
Ortega Cabrera, V., Helmke, C. & Archer Velasco, J. N., 2025, In: Estudios de Cultura Maya. 65, p. 11-46Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus) -
An Account of the Kings of Kanu’l as Recorded on the Hieroglyphic Stair of K’an II of Caracol
Helmke, C. & Vepretskii, S., 2024, In: Ancient Mesoamerica. 35, 3, p. 748-765Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Citations (Scopus)12 Downloads (Pure) -
El legado de la Señora Seis Cielo: sucesiones dinásticas problemáticas en Naranjo durante en el siglo VIII
Helmke, C. & Savchenko, I., 2024, In: Estudios de Cultura Maya. 64, p. 11-35Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
- 71 Lecture and oral contribution
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Reckoning Deep Time: A Mythological Baktun 12 Text from Tulix Mul, Belize
Helmke, C. (Lecturer), Guderjan, T. (Other), Hanratty, C. C. (Other), Parmington, A. (Other) & Pastrana, A. (Other)
29 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Lecture and oral contribution
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Deciphering the Maya Collapse
Helmke, C. (Invited speaker)
27 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Lecture and oral contribution
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Teotihuacans gåde – dansk forskning giver stemme til Mexicos glemte civilisation
Helmke, C. (Invited speaker)
26 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Lecture and oral contribution
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De los códices a los monumentos. Una crítica textual de textos clásicos mayas
Helmke, C. (Invited speaker)
22 May 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Lecture and oral contribution
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Los sistemas de escritura del centro de México – de Teotihuacán al Epiclásico
Helmke, C. (Invited speaker)
7 May 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Lecture and oral contribution
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Biscripts in Mesoamerica: Problems and Prospects
Helmke, C. (Invited speaker)
29 Apr 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Lecture and oral contribution
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Codices and Literary Traditions among the Ancient Maya
Helmke, C. (Lecturer) & Hull, K. (Lecturer)
3 Apr 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Lecture and oral contribution
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WORKSHOP: The Memory of Bones: Remembrance & Materiality in Funerary Contexts
Helmke, C. (Invited speaker)
9 Jan 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Lecture and oral contribution
Press/Media
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Hieroglyphic Text on Royal Vase Reveals Clues About Mystery Collapse of Ancient Maya Civilization
23/04/2019
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Discovery of Painted Hieroglyphic Vase Gives Clues about Breakdown of Ancient Maya Civilization
15/04/2019
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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