Projects / Programmes
Analyses of the matheril culture of costal towns - the research on the dynamics of the economic, social and urbnistic development processes
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.02.00 |
Humanities |
Archaeology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| H340 |
Humanities |
Archaeology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.01 |
Humanities |
History and Archaeology |
Urban archaeology, Material culture, Late antiquity, Medieval and Early modern period, Genesis of urban settlement
Researchers (11)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The starting point of the project is research linking the classical archaeological methodology with the use of new IT technologies. Its purpose is to summarize and evaluate the state of and knowledge about the material culture of coastal towns stemming from archaeological research. Intensive construction activities have been the immediate cause for numerous field research, which have brought ot light a number of material sources in the last few decades, which have not been entirely evaluated, comparatively analysed or suitably published.
The project presents a complex and wholesome study of processes that influenced the formation and history of the coastal towns, with special emphasis on Koper. Due to their position the towns were subject to various influences coming by sea and from the mainland, and creating a multicultural basis for their foundation and development. These influences can be traced in the characteristics of the material remains from archaeological contexts and offer information about the urban and architectural development of a town, as also the social, cultural and economic character of the towns - their inhabitants, habits, production, trade and various other aspects of everyday life in different historic periods.
The complex study is based on a complete research of material sources with special focus on the analyses of small finds and architecture, which will enable the identification of models of the foundation and development of Adriatic, and to some extent also Mediterranean towns in a wide chronological range from Antiquity to the present. Due to the lack of funds and methodologies such studies have to this date not been carried out.
The methodology of the project will be directed towards the use of non-invasive methods provided by new technologies. The project is set to firstly, document the current state of research through the examination of sources, findings and publications, therefore, the primary stage will be based on the collection of data, preparation of a database, bibliographic database, mapping according to certain topics or chronological intervals of development, etc. This will be followed by the completion of the data from excavation reports and collecting information concerning unpublished data, together with the examination of written reports in the competent public institutes authorized for the protection of heritage, and all, who keep such material.
The main aim of the research is the scientific analysis of archaeological information gathered through rescue excavations in the coastal towns f Slovenia and their hinterlands, as well as the inclusion of these results into the known historical picture, thereby updating our knowledge about the evolution of the discussed area. Due the the extent of the research new systems of processing and explaining the data will be implemented, making possible the scientific evaluation of the formation and development of the towns, as well as the preparation of predictive models to prevent the ruin of archaeological heritage in the region.
The results will be important for the Slovene and the international expert public because the project will be the first to establish a methodology of the complete processing of archaeological sources for the identification of the formation and development of towns based on analyses of archaeological finds, thereby also taking into account the national and international legal foundations in the area of cultural heritage protection. All these results will form the basis for the preparation of so-called bridging models for the protection and management of cultural heritage in countries joining the EU
Significance for science
The importance of the project for the development of science in a national and international perspective could be observed on several levels. On the methodological level we have to stress modern analyzes of archaeological finds from modern excavated contexts enabling the appropriate use of modern analytical procedures – the ones derived from natural sciences (anthropological and archeozoological analyzes) as well as quantitative analyzes of archeological finds (especially pottery) and the consequently derived assumptions. The results of the project, based on modern research of archaeological finds have substantively contributed to the knowledge of cultural history of the border region of Slovenia as well as the northern Adriatic. It is important to stress that this is a pioneering project linking the analyzes of material culture from the Late Roman period to modernity determining the incorporation of inhabitants of costal towns in to the frameworks of Mediterranean and global economy. Of key importance for the development of science are: - For the first time with modern archaeological methods analyzed modern and adequately excavated sites from the medieval and modern period from the costal towns. - For the first time revised several selected previously partly published sites. - For the first time analyzed in selected towns sites from a 1500 years long time span enabling a synchronous and dyachronous observation of cultural characteristics and economical currents in the region. - Methodology of research was set up specialized for the research of urban archaeology of the Medieval and Early Modern period in the region which could be as an example of a good practice transferred and used in other regions. - Based on analyzes of data will be defined hypotheses about the cultural history of costal towns on the territory of the northern Adriatic. Among them we should mention the problems of roman settlements below the medieval towns, inclusion in to the Mediterranean trade in the Early Medieval period, organization of burials in the Early Medieval period, development of monasteries in the Medieval period, participation of inhabitants in the pilgrimages and the souvenirs from them, beginning of the local pottery and glass production at the end of the Medieval period, beginning of the use tobacco and the fashion of smoking in the modern period, throwing away of garbage in the modern period, subsistence in municipal hospitals and monasteries…
Significance for the country
The main traits of the project can be defined as investigation and protection of cultural heritage in an urban environment, which entails national and local significance, as well as an active role in the formation of new tourist destinations in the coastal towns Cultural heritage protection The final results in the form of scientifically processed databases have a primary role in the planning of future interventions in the urban fabric. The collection of this data on the interventions into architectural remains and earthen layers, which enables the reconstruction of the process of formation and expansion of the urban fabric, forms the basis for conclusions about the extent and indirectly the costs of construction activities in the town centres. Analyses of the individual previously examined buildings in the town centres will show the complexity and vast amount of archaeological and architectural remains. Based on this information the competent institutions (Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, local authorities, etc.) can form conservational guidelines and conditions for interventions into these areas. Indirectly, costs connected with the legally prescribed protection, examination and maintenance of cultural heritage can be foreseen already when planning maintenance and renovation works on infrastructure and architecture. Formation of new tourist destinations Despite their orientation into tourist activities the share of the coastal towns in the maintenance and promotion of cultural heritage is negligible. We can ascertain that the overall level of acquaintance with and promotion of cultural heritage is very low, while being made worse by the fact that there are no suitable informations or offers catering to the culturally more demanding tourists. Scientific analyses of archaeological information including also the building and settlement history of some more important locations and the complementing of our knowledge with analyses of some important , but perhaps almost unknown buildings, will represent the basis for the formation of concepts for the presentation and promotion of urban development of towns, their cultural history in the historic and economic context, and the shaping of new strategies for the national and international promotion of Slovene cultural history.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2010,
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2010,
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
