1 Einleitung

Abstract

This report reflects on mobility as current and historical phenomenon in human societies.
The paper is based on four years of research in a working group on mobility within the Collaborative
Research Centre (Sonderforschungsbereich) which focused on interdependencies between nomadic and sedentary people. The authors provide various perspectives on the specification of mobility phenomena and the constitution of knowledge systems based on the diverse disciplines involved, such as archeology, ancient history, ethnography, social geography and ecological-system science. The challenge was to find a common ground discussing
mobility where social and natural scientists exchanged and built upon their empirical and theoretical knowledge. The rich data base of case studies provided a starting point for a constructive dialogue. The report allows insights into the recent state of the  art and questions of mobility research. On a wider level it illustrates how interdisciplinary projects
can work effectively on such an intersecting topic. The report finalizes with disciplinary outlooks on synergies gained from this work.