Projects / Programmes
Objects and prestige: taste, status, and power (Researches of the material culture in Slovenia)
January 1, 2018
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.01.00 |
Humanities |
Historiography |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| H230 |
Humanities |
Modern history (up to circa 1800) |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.01 |
Humanities |
History and Archaeology |
material culture, cultural heritage, natural science analyses, provenance of objects, dating
objects, origin of raw materials, technology, encounters of different cultures, trade routes,
history of everyday life, identity, interpretation, history of the Slovenes.
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
April 25, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
122 |
1,768 |
1,393 |
11.42 |
| Scopus |
139 |
2,027 |
1,638 |
11.78 |
Researchers (9)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The objects mankind has surrounded itself through history have shaped time and space. The goal of our researches is to interpret the world of objects of the Slovenian area to the present day. This world is unique in its own creativity, in accepting initiatives from abroad, and in their adaptation to its own needs. Past studies of these issues have yielded precious knowledge and findings and shown how important a segment of historiography material culture is. We aim therefore to integrate our research results in historiography, as well as to disseminate knowledge to different segments of society, from academic circles to the general public.
We are the only research team (except for archaeology) in Slovenia that performs scientific research activities in the field of material culture. We are also the only team that uses modern natural science methods in its research. This approach is indeed enabled by our research programme.
The issues related to the material culture are too extensive to be captured by using only the tools of traditional historiography. This necessarily requires interdisciplinary approaches, in particular the inclusion of natural sciences.
As part of the submitted research programme, we will continue to research towns in all their different segments, but always on the basis of objects of material culture. Since some segments of the study of material culture reach beyond the mere focus on towns,we will add research into the material culture of the nobility (castles) in the next funding period. Such an approach has already been proved effective in the last period of our research, leading to new important findings broadening our knowledge of the social environment from the early modern period and explaining the poorly documented provenance of our musem collections (e.g. arms and armour)
Life in European urban settlements left behind a rich material heritage, which has much in common, but the differences between the individual geographical areas may be quite considerable due to historical and geographical circumstances. The same is true of castles: through the centuries the provincial nobility was the carrier of the most excellent way of life in Slovenia as there were no royal or imperial courts. For the study of the dwelling culture and the way of life in Slovenia, castle interiors are therefore of key importance. By studying them we can detect influences, makers, and interactions between them.
An important aspect of the study of material culture is the research into objects as the mediators of cultural meanings and values. Museums are institutions which collect, preserve, and study objects, and they therefore play an important role in the study of material culture. The research range of the programme will therefore be widened to the study of the role and importance of the present National Museum of Slovenia (NMS), which is to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its foundation in 2021.
Significance for science
In recent years research into the material culture has substantially enriched Slovene historiography. Thanks to systematic, interdisciplinary work, the National Museum of Slovenia successfully confirmed its status as the central research institution in Slovenia, which dedicates itself to multilayer research into the movable cultural heritage, including with the help of a wide range of analytical methods from the natural sciences. The achieved results clearly show that museum objects are exceptionally important and rich historical sources, even though domestic historiography generally neglected them material in the past. The team of researchers under the auspices of the National Museum of Slovenia consists of specialists trained in the study of medieval and early modern period movable culture, thus filling an important niche in Slovene historiography.
Through interdisciplinary connections with the natural sciences - a novelty in historical research in Slovenia and the wider research area - our research into the material culture of Slovenia opened up a completely new field (previously, only archaeologists performed
such research) and earned quite a lot of interest from the international scientific community, meaning that our researches are important to the further development of science at the European level. Recognition of the importance of our achievements is
revealed by the scope of international contacts and collaboration as well as the use of our results and, indirectly, through citations, and is therefore an important contribution to scientific development.
The great advantage of the programme lies in the interdisciplinary linking up of different sciences: history, art history, archaeology, library science, and natural sciences, since this facilitates high-quality and practically useful development of new methods for studying the movable cultural heritage and for suitable interpretations of it. The Slovene movable cultural heritage is an essential part of the European and world heritage. Our publications, ranging from scientific monographs to exhibition catalogues, are translated into various languages, predominantly English, and thus enable interaction between domestic and foreign findings. Also, considerable emphasis is placed on the systematic publicaton of the most important research results in leading international research.
Significance for the country
The results of the proposed research programme will be of benefit to Slovenia's development in the fields of economy, preservation of cultural heritage, development of identity, training of young cadres and international promotion.
In the field of economy, the research programme will mainly impact the tourism, e. g. by incorporating research findings in permanent and temporary exhibitions, exhibition catalogues and other accompanying publications at the National Museum of Slovenia, Bled castle, and Snežnik castle. The existing tourist potential will be enriched by guided sightseeing tours, new attractions, the development of new touristic destinations and commercial products such as souvenirs inspired by original objects of the cultural heritage. The results of research will be disseminated through various media intended for broad audience (from the field of education and entertainment – films, interactive presentations, experimental archaeology, 3D reconstructions, etc.). Clearly, the basic medium remains the museum exhibition, which is an excellent opportunity to communicate the results of our work to the general public.
The economic impact of our research may be considerable, particularly in tourism. One of the goals of proposed research is also to improve the public appreciation of historical art and artifacts and thus contribute to a better founded and objective interpretation of material culture and its relevance to history. Modern museology has already recognised the vital importance of proper interpretation within the historical context on a global scale.
Another major socio-economic and cultural field impacted by our research work is the preservation of cultural heritage. Here, the first necessary prerequisites are obviously the conservation and restoration of artefacts, which can only be achieved successfully if supported by proper investigative and analytical methods carried out in the course of our research programme. In that field, we are striving toward improving the existing conservation methods and devising new ones, applicable particularly to metal objects. Significant effort will be invested into the development of advanced electrolytic techniques as well as the introduction of new approaches to research methods that are inherently destructive, but can be adapted through the use of improved methodology and tools to avoid damaging historical artefacts.
From the point of view of the national awareness and cultural development, studying Slovenia's past and disseminating the findings of solid, unbiased research among the general public is indispensable. It serves not merely as a means of strengthening the cultural awareness, sense of local and national identity. It also provides a much needed impetus toward increased public awareness of the importance of our cultural heritage and the need to safeguard it for posterity.
Our research is important for education processes; it has been, and will continue to be, included into higher education at two Slovenian universities (in Ljubljana and Maribor), stimulating the development of young professionals and future cadre. This is also made evident by the mentorships carried out by members of the research programme on all three levels of current university education.
Furthermore, the research programme will contribute to the promotion of Slovenian science with the publishing of the results in internationally acknowledged scientific magazines and monographs, with participation at the international conferences and in international projects.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
