The origin of the word itself is rooted in Greek and it is a combination of the words archaios = old, and logos = speech or word. It describes a science which deals with the research and analysis of relics from the past, including buildings from past ages. Through this medium it enables us to look into the way of life of our ancestors. In a sense our ancestors are, through the medium of their bodily and material remains, actually speaking to us.
Compared to other branches of science this is a rather young discipline as the scientific process of piecing together historical evidence dates back only to the 19th century. Through the years it has gained a great reputation and today it’s a valid scientific discipline under the umbrella of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.
Possibly the first step towards a scientific approach in the field of archaeology was in the creation of the Archaeological Board in 1843. One of the strongest personalities in Czech archaeology, who was a member of the board, was Jan Erazim Vocel. He became recognized in 1850 as an outstanding professor of archaeology and history of art at Prague University. Sixteen years later, during 1866 and 1868 he produced two volumes of his major scientific work called the Primeval Ages of the Czech Lands, in which he laid the basis for archaeology as a science. To support the new discipline Vocel together with K. V. Zape also began editting the magazine Archaeological Relics. He initiated new methods of chemical analysis of copper objects in order to detect their age.
Another strong personality, though he may sometimes be seen differently, was Josef Ladislav Pic, who worked as a historian in the National Museum. Together with other members of the team which he created, he systematically processed and organized archaeological finding’s which still can be seen in the museum to the present day.
Early in the 20th century, in 1919, the National Archaeological Board was established and in the fifties it was incorporated into the Czechoslovakian Academy of Sciences; from 1992 it became part of the aforementioned Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic under the name of the Archaeological Institute. Currently they have the highest number of professional workers in the field of archaeology in our country.
Archaeology itself is divided into smaller fields which are defined by either era or methodology. So there is, for example, prehistoric, mediaeval, classical (focusing on antique relics), industrial, underwater, aerial archaeology etc. In research and analysis they also use other fields, mainly biology, paleontology, anthropology …
This science has its rules which are laid down by Czech law and relate to aspects of the care of relics and building laws. They also follow an international decree known as the Malta Convention of 1992.
Accessible pieces of knowledge and information about archaeological excavations, for example, views “underground” will from now on, be brought to you on these pages.,
Linda Nova