Projects / Programmes
Relative and absolute chronology of the Neolithic and Eneolithic period in north-eastern Slovenia
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.02.00 |
Humanities |
Archaeology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| H341 |
Humanities |
Prehistory |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.01 |
Humanities |
History and Archaeology |
archaeology, prehistory, Neolithic, Eneolithic, Absolute chronology, relative chronology
Researchers (12)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The proposed project will address topics concerning absolute and relative chronology of Neolithic and Eneolithic period in eastern Slovenia, as well as its cultural connections to other regions of Central Europe, especially to neighbouring Croatia, Hungary and Austria. The earliest studies carried out in north-eastern Slovenia as well as explanations concerning these archaeological finds were, until recently, burdened with 50 years old national interpretations. Already from the beginning they were isolated from the international research and explanations that resulted in cultural and chronological interpretations with no scientific basis for wider European region.
Research problems in archaeology of Neolithic and Eneolithic period in eastern Slovenia, as seen all through the history of research, are manifested on three levels: inconsistency and out-of-date concepts still in use in scientific research today, inactivity and incompatibility with the international research flow and the use of out-of-date research methodology, based either on poor data or on data unsuitable for modern analysis.
This project is planned in order to overcome these problems with the help of extensive series of research, supported by application of modern methodologies to analyse well-documented and defined archaeological clusters. Archaeological material will be documented and interpreted under the highest international standards for archaeological research and under the adopted orientations valid in wider European context. Results are going to be published in Slovenia; and through publications, congress contributions, guest lectures and courses of visiting professors on universities abroad, thus available also to the international scientific community. The main goal of this research is up-to-date scientific analysis of all accessible material sources acquired through archaeological excavations. Based on these, we can define cultural and chronological traits of individual Neolithic or Eneolithic archaeological locations and also provide a cultural-historical portrait for the whole region considered in this study. Already obtained radiocarbon dates together with acquisition of new ones, especially from the sites with reliable contexts and culturally significant material, will contribute to re-establishment of more precise cultural-historical periodization, based upon highly accurate absolute chronology. This periodization will be comparable to, or will supplement and even correct, similar chronologies made for the regions of Central and Eastern Europe that is, for the area of western Pannonian plain.
The research will incorporate analysis of archaeological material sources from newly excavated sites as well as revised material from older excavations from both published and unpublished sites. To achieve analytical comparability of data and hence better evaluation of material both from systematic research and revised collections we will introduce a uniform system of analysis of small archaeological finds.
The final goal of proposed project is a presentation of research results on an international level, which will enable future promotion of Slovenian scientific excellence and with this the opportunity for the project to be upgraded and expand in the form of variety of international scientific projects.
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 (archeozoological and radiocarbon analyzes) as well as quantitative analyzes of archeological finds (especially pottery and stone tools) 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 western Pannonia. It is important to stress that this is a pioneering project linking the analyzes of material culture from the Mesolithic period to Bronze Age determining the incorporation of inhabitants in to the frameworks of Pannonian 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 Neolithic and Copper Age. - For the first time revised several selected previously partly published sites. - For the first time analyzed in selected sites from a 2000 years long time span enabling a synchronous and anachronous observation of cultural characteristics and economical currents in the region. The results of the project are not only the general development of knowledge but also the development of methodologies of archaeological research. It is the complementation and determination of cultural history which is not only of a local, but also regional, in the case of researched area, international importance. Basic breakthrough was achieved with standardized working procedures, systematic preparation for publication and a planned program of absolute dating of important archaeological contexts. It is a project of integration of commercial; this is rescue excavations in to research activities. Majority of archaeological sites analyzed in the framework of the project were excavated in the framework of a project of excavations performed of highway layouts. The later did not secure financial means and frameworks for appropriate scientific evaluation of the results. The project presents a case of a good practice of combining rescue excavations and systematic research. At the same time a part of the sites were excavated by private companies which handed over the finds – it is a good practice of collaboration between private entrepreneurship and public research institutions.
Significance for the country
The importance for development of Slovenia could be observed on several levels – as a general advancement of knowledge about cultural heritage, as the development of national science and as the foundation for developing the promotion of cultural heritage. General advancement of knowledge Results of the project present cultural and historical information about the settlement of eastern Slovenia in the period between the middle of the 6th and the middle of the 4th millennium BC. Results of research on numerous sites in the region enable a detailed understanding of the general as well as the history of individual sites. Thus making Eastern Slovenia beside the Central Slovenia (Ljubljansko barje) a region with the best understanding of cultural history in the Neolithic and Copper Age. Development of national science Since this was the first project of its kind in which numerous sites were analyzed from a single region, an adequate methodology of work was developed. The project forms a base which could be later as a form of good practice transferred and successfully used elsewhere for the research in another region. Creation of foundations for the promotion of cultural heritage Results of the project were already presented in the framework of international exhibitions. In the future they could be included in to new projects of promotion of cultural heritage in regional museums (temporary or permanent exhibitions) as well as in regional promotion projects for the creation of a network of locations for cultural tourism which represents one of the bases for future sustainable development. Foundations for the protection of cultural heritage in the landscape Final results in the form of scientifically evaluated data bases can have a primary role in the future planning of interventions in the landscape. The collection of data about the locations of sites enables the reconstruction of processes of settlement and creates a base for the interferences about the extent and spatial distribution of prehistoric settlement - consequently about the cost of building and infrastructural interventions in the landscape. Analyses of individual settlements demonstrate the complexity and amount of archaeological and architectural remains. These results can enable the competent institutions (Institute for the protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, Municipal communities…) to create conservation guidelines for future interventions in the landscape. Indirectly it will be possible to evaluate the costs connected with the legally ascribed protection, research and conservation of cultural heritage.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
