Sabine Werner Obituary (1935 – 2023)

Sabine Werner studied Sinology and prehistoric archaeology in Göttingen and Berlin. Under Herbert Franke, she earned her doctorate at the LMU Munich with a dissertation titled ˈDie Belagerung von K'ai-feng im Winter 1126/27. Nach Kapitel 64-69 des San-ch'ao Pei-meng Hui-pien, kompiliert von Hsü Meng-hsinˈ. After a short period at the Prähistorische Staatssammlung München, she joined the DAI in 1980, becoming one of the first staff members of the Commission for General and Comparative Archaeology (KAVA). During her time from 1980 to 2000, she served as a Chinese archaeology specialist, establishing and nurturing strong connections with academic institutions in China, Japan, and Korea.

Sabine Werner's research focused on the theme of cities and urban development in China, drawing from both historical Chinese sources and recent research reports. She had a particular interest in the imperial tombs of the Western Han Dynasty. Several research trips, invited by the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, took her to excavation sites and museums, including Chang'an, Zhengzhou, Anyang, and Chengdu. These travels provided her with the opportunity to strengthen collaboration with Chinese archaeologists.

Moreover, she was responsible for the commission's book exchange. She corresponded globally with research institutions, establishing exchange relationships crucial for the newly founded institute's library. She significantly contributed to building an outstanding collection of Chinese academic literature by reviewing new releases in the Chinese book market and participating in the cataloguing of newly acquired literature. She continued this work on a voluntary basis in retirement until the year 2020.

Her expertise and advice remained sought-after by colleagues in the Southeast Asia department of the KAAK well beyond her employment.

We will remember Sabine Werner as an extremely helpful and amiable colleague.

The staff of the KAAK