Ellen Kattner studied anthropology, history, indology and prehistory at the universities of Heidelberg and Madras. She worked as research assistant at the South Asia Institute, Heidelberg, and as research associate with the late Karl Jettmar at the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. She did her field research among the Cutchi Memon of South India; on Minicoy (Maliku) Island, Union Territory of Lakshadweep; and on German society.