ANTIQUITY PROJECT

The research of antique archaeology is focused on the analysis of Roman city centers, military camps and residential complexes in Serbia, above all those on which systematic works are in progress (Sirmium, Viminacium, Mediana, Romuliana, Sarkamen, Ravna). Particular attention of national and international scientists was drawn by the research of Viminacium and the achievements of this project in the last 20 years, as well as two imperial residences, in Gamzigrad (Romuliana) and in Šarkamen, which, beside the palace, also contain specific sacral monuments. The palaces were founded in places where villas used to exist, which were with extensive architectural interventions, transformed into the residences of emperors from the tetrarchy period. The research at Mediana near Nis has shown that in this locality as well, a luxurious villa was transformed into a residential complex in the period from 330. to 378. year.

The processes of transformation of city centers went in the other direction, i.e. they were formed either around indigenous settlements or around military camps. Over time, the settlements next to the camps grew into centers with all the characteristics of a city, which include a multi-ethnic population structure, economic and public facilities of a different character, as well as a developed craft and trade activity. This is also attested by the decades-long research of Viminacium and Singidunum. During the previous project cycle, the excavation of the only amphitheatre on the land of former Upper Moesia was completed and the research of the military camp in Viminacium began. The research on Viminacium lasts for almost two decades during the whole year (the excavations are conducted for 11 out of 12 months and the only period when there are no excavations is from mid-December to mid-January). The research implies a multidisciplinary approach.

In addition to defining their construction phases, the researchers will follow the process of transformation of particular settlements and their mutual relations. This includes the analysis of architectural objects, as well as the processing of all movable finds, which requires the participation of architects, archaeologists and specialists in certain fields, numismatists and epigraphers. In this way, it will be possible to see the specifics of the processes of Romanization and urbanization in the interior of the Balkans.