Serbian archaeology: cultural identity, integration factors, technological processes and the role of the central Balkans in the development of European prehistory

The Project will focus on research into socio-economical issues and phenomena based on which we seek to determine the position and role of the central Balkans in the development of the European cultural complexes from the middle Palaeolithic to the Roman conquest. Given a broad chronological span and complexity accompanying each prehistoric period, the research will be done within the framework of four subprojects: 1. Cultural interaction in the transitional processes from the Early Palaeolithic to the Early Eneolithic on the territory of Serbia. 2. The Metal Age communities on the territory of Serbia. 3. The central Balkans between the Greek and Celtic world. 4. Archaeotechnology: exploitation, processing and circulation of raw materials in the prehistoric times on the territory of Serbia. The Project includes field research in parallel with processing of available materials and creation of a data base, as well as application of a multidisciplinary approach, which requires participation of archaeozoologist, archaeobotanists and archaeologists specialized in specific fields. Publishing of archaeological materials from museum collections, updating of the archaeological map and reviewing of cultural and chronological relationships with regard to the already investigated and newly discovered sites will contribute to creation of synthetic works related to cultural transitions and interactions as well as economic and technological changes in prehistory of the central Balkans.