Education

10/2020 – 01/2024
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Master of Arts in Central Asian Studies
Thesis: "Between Science & Sacred: Archaeology, Landscape, and Knowledge in the Karakol Valley, Altai Republic (Russian Federation)"

10/2018 – 07/2019
University of Oxford, Master of Studies in Archaeology 
Thesis: "Animal-human relationships in the Mongolian Altai: a view from the petroglyph complex Tsagaan Salaa/Baga Oigor

09/2015 – 07/2018
University College London, Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology
Thesis: "Concepts of time at Madinat al-Zahra, Spain"

09/2007 – 06/2015
Französisches Gymnasium Berlin, Baccalauréat & Abitur

Scholarships

05 – 07/2025
B. Rinchen Scholarship für Anthropologie am Institute of Mongolian Studies der National University of Mongolia

01/2025
Student Essay Prize der Zeitschrift Nomadic Peoples 

01/2024 – 06/2024
Predoc Scholarship
Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies

What is a horse? Approaching Mongolian horses through archaeology, ethnography, and genetics

The introduction of domestic horses and riding during the 2nd millennium BC triggered profound changes in prehistoric Mongolian societies. The connection between horses and humans was instrumental for the creation of past nomadic states, and, until today, horses remain beloved. By combining ethnography with herders and their living horses with archaeological and genetic approaches to prehistoric horses, this PhD project aims to create a diachronic, multivocal understanding of horses across Mongolia. Established scientific narratives such as the nature-culture dichotomy, domestication as domination or ritual vs. subsistence will be critically reevaluated.

Die Dissertation wird gefördert durch ein Elsa-Neumann-Stipendium des Landes Berlin.

2025
Deconstructing the Concept of the ‘Nomad’ in Central Eurasia

2023
Conte, C. 2023. Review: Warwick Ball. 2021. The Eurasian Steppe: people, movement, ideas. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Antiquity. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2023.87

Conte, C. and Hopper, K. 2023. The Steppe Sisters Network and Conference. ArchéOrient Le Blog, 17 février 2023. https://archeorient.hypotheses.org/22109