Projects / Programmes
Archaeological heritage research
January 1, 2022
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.02.00 |
Humanities |
Archaeology |
|
| 1.02.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.01 |
Humanities |
History and Archaeology |
| 1.03 |
Natural Sciences |
Physical sciences |
archaeology; archaeometry; numismatics; Bronze Age; Early Iron Age; Late Iron Age; Roman period; Late Antiquity; early Middle Age; hoards; ritual landscapes; Roman sanctuaries in cave shelters; PIXE; PIGE; ICP-AES; LiDAR; Slovenia
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
April 27, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
184 |
1,832 |
1,433 |
7.79 |
| Scopus |
199 |
2,129 |
1,671 |
8.4 |
Researchers (11)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The proposed contents include archaeological research of small finds, sites and landscapes from the Bronze Age to the early Middle Ages. Their basis will be the in-depth analysis of archaeological remains from the territory of Slovenia, which will be discussed in the historical and geographical context of Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. In addition to the most common archaeological methods, they include archaeometric, archaeozoological, dendrochronological and GIS analyses, as well as archaeological interpretation of lidar data. The highlights proposed for the 2022-2027 period include the following topics: 1. Ritualized landscape of Lake Bled and its surroundings in the Late Bronze Age (more than 15 small groups of objects from the Late Bronze Age / 14-11 centuries BC, deposited in an area of more than 20 hectares on the hills above Lake Bled), 2. Select topics on Celtic numismatics (gold coins imitating the staters of the Macedonian King Alexander III; a hoard of about 900 Celtic silver coins discovered at the beginning of the 20th century at the foot of Okić near Samobor in Croatia), 3. Iron Age cemeteries (Jelenšek above Godovič, Grad near Krn), ritual sites (Berlotov rob), as well as settlements and landscapes in the Notranjska and Karst regions, 4. The role of the Roman army from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD (especially the Ulaka-Nadleški hrib site complex, which provides an excellent case study of a conflict landscape from the later phase of Roman conquest, about 50 BC to 15 AD; it includes the local settlement on the hillfort of Ulaka, two Roman forts, siege constructions and traces of a military conflict), 5. Roman military decoration torques, 6. Roman sanctuaries in rock shelters, 7. Issues regarding the dating of the oldest early Christian churches in the Late Antique hilltop settlements, 8. Archaeometric research of Roman military equipment and Late Antique brooches, 10. The earliest traces of Slavic settlement, 11. Water cistern from the Late Antique hilltop settlement Ajdovski gradec above Vranje near Sevnica, 12. Preventive conservation
Significance for science
The implementation of the research programme is relevant for the development of science, especially archaeology, but also numismatics and history, as well as for conservation science of movable archaeological heritage. In the field of archaeology, the implementation of the programme affects positively the development of research into the past of Slovenia's territory from prehistory to the early Middle Ages - in this way it contributes to the development of archaeological science in Slovenia and in the wider European area, since the past of the territory of present-day Slovenia is closely linked to geographically much wider historical developments that are being studied in Europe and beyond. Research into Roman weapons and military equipment, for example, is a priori relevant to the whole area of the Roman state, which, in addition to much of Europe, included the Mediterranean. In the field of archeometric research of Roman military equipment, our research is among the world leading. In the case of exceptional sites, such as the complex of Roman military camps and other structures around Ulaka (SW Slovenia), the importance of research for the entire Roman world is obvious. We expect that the implementation of the research programme over the next six years will make a significant contribution to the development of various research fields, such as late Bronze Age hoards; Iron Age and Roman era burial sites, settlements and cultural landscapes; the role of the Roman army in the transition period from prehistoric to Roman age; Roman military equipment; Roman rural ritual sites in caves; Late Antiquity settlements; the earliest settlement of Slavs; and the integration of natural science methods into the study of movable archaeological heritage. In addition, carrying out the research programme will be important for the research in conservation science, especially in preventive conservation, i.e. storage of cultural heritage objects (those already treated or awaiting conservation-restoration procedure) in optimal conditions that prevent the deterioration of heritage as much as possible. There is a growing need to study preventive conservation, which is of paramount importance for the preservation of the movable heritage.
Significance for the country
Implementation of the research programme contributes to the positive development of Slovenia in the fields of economy (tourism), protection and promotion of cultural heritage, development of national awareness and education of young staff. Conducting the research programme also impacts the successful conservation of archaeological objects. As four programme team members are museum curators, they promptly and routinely integrate their research results into archaeological heritage-presentations for the general public (exhibitions, films, popular press releases, lectures, and media appearances). In economic terms, these activities contribute to the development of tourism, for example in Ljubljana (permanent and other exhibitions in the National Museum of Slovenia), Bled (permanent exhibition at Bled Castle), Hrušica/Ad pirum (permanent exhibition) and at Tolmin (archaeological exhibitions in cooperation with the Tolmin museum). Socially, they strengthen the public awareness of the outstanding features of the archaeological heritage of Slovenia, a region with an important geostrategic location. Conducting the research programme substantially affects the successful passive/preventive and active/interventive conservation of archaeological objects. In order to preserve movable archaeological heritage, especially metal objects that are susceptible to corrosion, its appropriate preventive and active conservation is essential. Preventive conservation proves to be very important; one of the programme team members researches it within an European and a national project. While planning or performing active conservation, the research and analytical procedures that form a part of our research programme are of great importance. In this field we shall continue our already well established collaboration with the Department for Conservation and Restoration of the National Museum of Slovenia, whose experience is passed on to other conservators in the country. By publishing the research findings in world languages in internationally established journals and monographs, giving high-quality presentations at international conferences and participating in international projects, the implementation of the research programme will contribute to promoting Slovenia in the scientific field. Incorporating the research programme findings into presentations for general audiences will further promote Slovenia. The research programme content is included in the teaching at two Slovene universities, and early stage researchers are trained in the programme team, which will have an important influence on the education of young professionals. In our view the continuation of the research programme is vital for the development of archaeological research in Slovenia and is important for maintaining close ties between research and conservation of movable archaeological heritage.
