Jan Thomas (academic)

Jan Thomas is a Dutch-American scholar specializing in papyrology and classical philology. He is known for his research on ancient documents, particularly papyri, and his contributions to understanding ancient law, society, and culture through the study of these primary sources.

Thomas earned his doctorate from Leiden University. His academic career has included positions at various institutions, focusing on the interpretation and contextualization of papyrological evidence. His work often involves transcribing, translating, and analyzing papyri to glean information about daily life, legal practices, administrative procedures, and literary traditions in the Graeco-Roman world, especially Roman Egypt.

His research interests extend to digital humanities and the application of computational tools to the study of ancient texts. Thomas has been involved in projects aimed at digitizing and making accessible collections of papyri, thereby facilitating collaborative research and wider access to these valuable historical resources. He has published extensively on various aspects of papyrology and classical studies, contributing to a better understanding of the ancient world. He is a recognized authority in the field, often consulted for his expertise in deciphering and interpreting ancient documentary evidence.