History of the Institute

The Institute of Archaeology was established on 26th January 1961 at a founding session, by a Decision of the Department of Archaeology and the Department of Art History of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb, under the name of the Institute of Art History and Archaeology with the aim to further scientific work on the study of national heritage in the fields of archaeology and the history of art.

By a Decision of the Council of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb, of 15th May 1965 the institution began working under the name Archaeological Institute. By a Decision of the Council of the University of Zagreb, on 13th June 1968 it acquired the status of an independent Archaeological Institute of the University of Zagreb. Based on the Organisation of Scientific Work Act and the Decision of the Republic Council for Scientific Work of 23rd December 1976, the Institute was integrated into the Centre for Historical Sciences, and on 9th September 1987 into the Institute for Historical Sciences of the University of Zagreb. On 21st November 1990, the Institute for Art History became independent from the Institute for Historical Sciences. An independent Institute for Art History, to which the Department of Archaeology was attached, was established by a Decision of the Ministry of Science and Technology of 1st October 1991.

By a Decision of the Ministry of Science and Technology of 28th July 1992 the Institute was entered into the Register of scientific-research organizations under the name Institute of Archaeology in Zagreb. As a scientific-research organization, when the Institutions Act came into force, it became a public institution over which the Republic of Croatia gained founding rights. Based on the Scientific-Research Activity Act, by a Decision of the Ministry of Science and Technology of 14th December 1995, it was set up by the Government of the Republic of Croatia as a public institute under the name Institute of Archaeology, with the Republic of Croatia as the founder. The rights and obligations of the founder were assumed by the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports.

The Institute of Archaeology has established itself as the central scientific institution for basic and applied archaeological research in the Republic of Croatia, which covers all archaeological periods, while also developing the theory and methodology of research as well as creating ARHINDOKS (Archaeological Information Documentation Centre) as thematic databases of archaeological sites and finds. In addition to basic archaeological research, the staff of the Institute of Archaeology take part in the higher education. The Institute of Archaeology has developed a rich publication activity by publishing scientific and professional journals, monographs and proceedings, as well as organizing international scientific conferences, round tables and workshops.