Dr Jack Nurpetlian
Assistant Professor in the History and Archaeology of the Ancient Mediterranean
About
I graduated with a BA and MA in Archaeology from the Department of History and Archaeology at the American University of Beirut. In 2013 I received my PhD in the field of numismatics from the Department of Classics and Ancient History, University of Warwick. I also hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Museum Studies from the School of Museum Studies, University of Leicester. Before joining Warwick as an Assistant Professor in 2026, I was a Lecturer at the American University of Beirut. I have supervised several archaeological excavations in Lebanon and I am closely involved in a multi-national team processing the finds from the post-civil-war excavations of Beirut.
Research interests
My research interests are primarily in ancient numismatics, particularly Hellenistic and Roman provincial coinages of the eastern Mediterranean. I am keen on reconstructing ancient minting technologies through die studies. More recently, my research has expanded into the application of artificial intelligence for the automation of die studies. I am also interested in exploring how coins functioned as instruments of political communication and the expression of civic and cultural identity.
I have led and contributed to a number of interdisciplinary and international research projects. These include a current project developing computer vision software for automated die studies, a collaborative project investigating the archaeology of ancient Beirut in the Classical period, and a funded project introducing schoolchildren to their cultural heritage. I also contribute to international research initiatives including the Roman Provincial Coinage and Coin Hoards of the Roman Empire projects.
Publications
Books
2025. Ancient Coins from Central Beirut. Felix Berytus, Vol 2. Archäologisches Seminar der Philipps-Universität Marburg. Marburg.
2020. Coinage in the Orontes Valley of Syria (1st c. BC – 3rd c. AD). Royal Numismatic Society, Special Publication 59. London
Select Articles
2025. “Sidonian tetradrachms of Caracalla: a tale of two city symbols,” Revue belge de numismatique et de sigillographie 171: 258-275.
2021. “Tripolis and Orthosia tetradrachms of Caracalla: some thoughts on coin production and minting methods,” Revue belge de numismatique et de sigillographie 167: 116-142.
2020. “Emesan Tetradrachms of Caracalla: An Investigation of their Symbols,” American Journal of Numismatics 32: 179-218.
2020. “Two sides of the same coin or two sides to every coin? A look at mass media and cultural identity in Persian and Hellenistic period Phoenicia,” in W. Held (ed.), The Transition from the Achaemenid to the Hellenistic Period in the Levant, Cyprus, and Cilicia: Cultural Interruption or Continuity? Marburger Beiträge zur Archäologie, vol. 6.
2019-2020. “Tyrian tetradrachms of Caracalla: a quantitative analysis,” Berytus Archaeological Studies 59-60: 177-188.
2019. “Numismatic mutants,” The Numismatic Chronicle 179: 261-266.
2018. “Brockage coins,” Numismatic Chronicle 178: 225-245.
2017. “A survey of Roman provincial pseudo-autonomous coins of the Levant,” Numismatic Chronicle 177: 307-311.
2016. “A Catalogue of Coins in the Archaeological Museum of Homs, Syria,” Numismatic Chronicle 176: 436-445.
2016. “The Coin Finds from the Roman Theater of Beirut,” Berytus Archaeological Studies 55: 113-227.
2014. “Damascene tetradrachms of Caracalla,” American Journal of Numismatics 26: 187-198.
2010. “The Dating of the Civic Coins of Artaxata,” Numismatic Chronicle 170: 9-16.
2008-2009. “Ancient Armenian Coins: The Artaxiad Dynasty (189 BC - AD 6),” Berytus Archaeological Studies 51-52: 117-167.
Teaching and supervision
Undergraduate modules (2026–2027)
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CX111: Encounters with Material Culture: Objects and Archaeology (Module Contributor)
- CX251: Hellenistic World (Module Convenor)
- XX246/346: Coinage of Greece & Rome (Joint Module Convenor)
Administrative roles
- Curator of the Antiquities Collection
Drop-in hours
Teaching
CX111: Encounters with Material Culture: Objects and Archaeology (Module Contributor)
CX251: Hellenistic World (Module Convenor)
X246/346: Coinage of Greece & Rome (Joint Module Convenor)