Mission, Vision, History

Mission, Vision, History

MISSION

The Institute is a public scientific research institution working in the domain of archaeology. Its founder is the Republic of Croatia. Striving for the highest standards of excellence and open science, the mission of the Institute is to undertake fundamental scientific research and to process, interpret, and evaluate archaeological sources with the goal of their valorisation in national, regional, and European contexts. All the scientific activities, research, and dissemination of the results to the stakeholders in the scientific, professional, cultural, and educational activities, to the public decision-making bodies, and to the wider public, are undertaken by the Institute to raise the awareness of the need to preserve and value the Croatian archaeological heritage as a fundamental element of the national identity.

VISION

The Institute of Archaeology is an independent public scientific institution that is proving itself as the main national centre and becoming a recognizable regional centre for scientific research in archaeology. Its realization of interdisciplinary scientific research and its original approach to research topics bring new insights and advance the discipline of archaeology in motivating and dynamic surroundings. By actively transferring the knowledge and skills acquired in this way, the Institute becomes a desirable institution for the continuous improvement and strengthening of the competences of scientists and the best young researchers. The transfer of knowledge is realized not only in the scientific community but also in the whole society, influencing the awareness of the value of archaeological heritage as an important part of the national cultural heritage.

HISTORY

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. The Council of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb, on 15th May 1965 decided that the institution will work under the name Archaeological Institute. According to the 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.