Open research questions in Archaeological Research and Protection

What the literature leaves open

• What is certain is that the hall existed in this condition in 1784, but the date of construction remains unclear. It is important to note, however, that the wall of the western wing had been severely disturbed by the construction of the Panorama Museum in 2001, so only a small section on the south and north sides could be investigated.

  2000 years of settlement horizons in the area of the second inner courtyard of the Neue Residenz in Salzburg · 2026 · DOI

• While the site of Muntenii de Jos – La Biserică (Vaslui County) was first documented in 1910 based on surface finds, archaeological investigations were limited to a single field walk in 1976 that vaguely dated the settlement.

  From Surface to Subsurface: Mapping the Chalcolithic Cucuteni Settlement of Muntenii de Jos (Eastern Romania) Using Remote Sensing Techniques · 2025 · DOI

• This work brought to light a history that had been lost for as many as 75 years, highlighted the importance, specifically, of the role of the Eboli refugee camp, a context little known and forgotten by many, and above all made it possible to remember and restore dignity to the victims of the Great War.

  The Lost History: Anthropological Analysis of 93 Post-WWII Skeletal Remains from Eboli Refugee Camp (Campania, Italy) Rediscovered After 75 Years in Bari’s Monumental Cemetery (Apulia, Italy) · 2025 · DOI

• The benefits of this research is fixes the accurate chronology of the site from Pre Indus Kotdijian dated 2800 BC to 2500 BC to 2450 BC to 1750 BC and to see the relationship to the surrounded settlements as Kotdiji, Taloor ji Bhit and Bhando Qubo Kotdijian period sites and also highlight the awareness to youth of locals for further research on archaeological sites of the region.

  Peer Surahayo: A Pre Indus Kotdijian Period Archaeological site Discover in Khairpur Sindh · 2023 · DOI

• Awareness of, and debate about, harassment, assault, bullying and intimidation (HABI) in archaeology has grown in recent years, but the issue remains under-researched.

  Harassment, assault, bullying and intimidation (HABI) in archaeology: a Europe-wide survey · 2023 · DOI

• The surveyed area was walked in transects at 20-metre intervals and resulted in the identification of 332 archaeological sites from different cultural periods, which added much to the limited knowledge about the history of this region.

  The Chronology of the Archaeological surface remains of Tepe Pa-Chogha, Central Zagros (Kermanshah, Iran) · 2022 · DOI

• In the 2019 campaign, the overall layout and exact function of the structures could not be determined and more excavations will be undertaken in the forthcoming years.

  First Results and Perspectives of a New Archaeological Project in the Armenian Capital Artaxata: From Artashes-Artaxias I to Roman Imperialism · 2021 · DOI

• It is established that cartographic materials on the history of Kazakhstan XVIII – early XX centuries should be studied not as an isolated part, but as part of the cartography of a certain era in all its interrelations and interdependencies with the development of related fields of knowledge (ethnology, archeology, history, geography, astronomy, navigation, geodesy, polygraphy, etc.

  «HISTORICAL CARTOGRAPHY»: THEORETICAL-METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS · 2018 · DOI

• Shalfak is the smallest of the Nubian Middle Kingdom fortresses.96 There is a wide agreement that it was built under Senusret III (1872–1853 BC) as part of the second phase of the construction of the Nubian fortresses.97 So far, the use-life of Shalfak has only been determined in the most general terms as spanning the period from its primary occupation into the New Kingdom.98 Trigger99 actually assumed Shalfak "to have been totally abandoned" after the re-occupation of Nubia in the early New Kingdom. However, two rock inscriptions testify to the presence of Egyptian functionaries at Shalfak in Year 18 of Hatshepsut100, while an endowment text preserved on the walls of the temple in Semna relates to cult activities in Shalfak in the reign of Thutmose III.101 The data collected in the first field season of the Shalfak Archaeological Mission indicate an intense occupation, including building alterations, immediately following the construction of the fortress. The three excavation presented in this paper preserve very little in terms of stratigraphic evidence. While in part this is doubtlessly due to Wheeler's 1931 clearances, the overall impression is that much of the extant architectural remains at Shalfak are from the Middle Kingdom and that this reflects the actual building history and use-life of the monument. Investigations conducted this year put to rest the tentative identification of Rooms 7 to 9 and the Northeast Annex as locations of chapels. Rather, the evidence available suggests that Rooms 7 to 9 were the activity area of the attached granary. The Northeast Annex can be defined as a workshop and/or storage space. With the investigation progressing, these results may help to better understand the administration of storage and rationing which were key element of the function and the organisation of the fortresses. The micaceous pottery and the letter sealing add information on influences and actual how the fortresses were linked to each other in terms of cultural communication. The presence of Nubian pottery and jewellery allows a glimpse at the organisation of everyday life in the fortress, which apparently encompassed Nubian occupants, too. In all, the first season at Shalfak yielded rich evidence and amply illustrated the potential of the site for extending our understanding of the Nubian Middle Kingdom fortresses as military and administrative installations as well as arenas of every-day life in the Middle Kingdom and beyond. Appendix: The newly discovered seal impression by Wolfram Grajetzki 96 An exception is Semna South which is, however, usually not considered as a fortress proper, but a fortified camp (Vogel, Festungen, 264–6 with further references). 97 Vogel, Festungen, 73–7 with further references. 98 Vogel, Festungen, 249; E. F. Morris, The Architecture of Imperialism: Military Bases and the Evolution of Foreign Policy in Egypt's New Kingdom (PdÄ 22; Leiden, and Boston, 2005) 100, quoting A. J.

  Shalfak Archaeological Mission (SAM): The 2017 Field Season · 2017 · DOI

• The development of archaeological departments in Australian universities investigating ancient cultures in Egypt, the Classical Mediterranean world and the Middle East and the pioneering work of individual Australian scholars who conducted archaeological research in these areas is little known outside of the archaeological community.

  Australian archaeologists in Cyprus: Over eight decades of historical investigations on a Mediterranean Island · 2013

• 1 The program called for further work on house complexes H1, H2 and H21 c in the northern part of the ancient Greco-Roman town, the exedra in the main town Square, and tomb T12 in the southwestern necropolis (Fig.

  MARINA EL-ALAMEIN: CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION WORK IN 2006 · 2006

• As the domestic research centre of medieval town archaeology and material culture is lacking, the author proposes, as a solution, collaboration with foreign colleagues, which at the same time would not exclude improved collaboration between domestic archaeologists, historians and specialists who use natural scientific methods in archaeology.

  What Will Be with Archaeobotany in Estonia?/ Mis Saab Arheobotaanikast Eestis? · 2005

• As the latest publication (1982) still relies on Evans's drafts, it seemed reasonable to assume that the pithoi had not been examined for signs since their discovery in 1900–1.

  Minoan storage capacities (1): graffiti on pithoi in the Palace Magazines at Knossos · 1996 · DOI

• The excavated remains point to continuous use and modification of the fortification system during the Iron Age, yet the foundation date of this impressive structure so far remains elusive.

  An Ancient Mega-Project in North Jordan: The Fortress of Tell Ushayer · 2025 · DOI

• The main conclusion: seasonal migrations of the Cumans were limited to the steppe spaces, while they explored the forest-steppe territory and the southern border of the forest zone only for their raids.

  The Cuman Statues in Museums of the Central Russian Upland: Decorations of Estates, Hoaxes, and Finds · 2025 · DOI

• Four interruptions corresponding to the gates were recorded, although their exact outlines could not be determined, and no traces of corner or curtain towers were observed.

  Cincșor Roman Fort: New Data and a Revised Plan from Recent Geophysical Research · 2025 · DOI

• At the moment, it consists primarily of coins from museum collections, but plans include incorporating all available data on Roman coin findings from publications and web resources to create a comprehensive database of Roman coin finds in Ukraine, facilitating further study of their circulation.

  DIGITIZATION OF ROMAN COIN FINDS FROM THE SOUTH-WESTERN UKRAINE: AFE-UKR DATABASE · 2024 · DOI

• The western border of the province is insufficiently explored and comprehended, allowing us to raise a number of specific questions regarding the stages of the conquest or the history of Roman rule in Dacia, even in the context of the boost in research that followed the National Limes Program.

  A newly discovered Roman camp on the western frontier of Dacia at Mișca, Arad County · 2024 · DOI

• It is not yet known who authored this modernization project, but the French engineer left us a very detailed picture of the urban topography of Izmail in the period after the Suvorov assault.

  Izmail on the F. Kauffer’s plan of 1797 · 2022 · DOI

• Despite the fact that the site has been investigated for many years, by various excavation teams, the nature and chronology of the different phases of settlement remain unclear.

  From Roman industrial center to early Islamic town: archaeological excavations at ʻMarea’/Philoxenite in the 2020–2021 season · 2022 · DOI

• Many large and small museums in the provinces of Iran exhibit objects, containers, and display items that are not well known and are often on loan from other museums.

  A Masterpiece in the Closet: Brass ewer in the Zanjan Archaeological Museum · 2021 · DOI

• The author also draws attention to the catastrophic lack of evidence and events that have taken place in recent years in the Middle East and Iran's western neighbors.

  A Masterpiece in the Closet: Brass ewer in the Zanjan Archaeological Museum · 2021 · DOI

• The analysis of the history of the study of the medieval sculptures of Saryarka on Etamp and the assessment of the degree of their study allowed us to formalize the main problems and tasks of further research of these unique monuments.

  History of turkish sculpture Saryarka at the modern stage · 2021 · DOI

• Despite being the first site to be studied as a Deserted Medieval Settlement in modern-day Flanders, little is known about the village and its relation to the surrounding landscape.

  Nieuw-Roeselare – landscape archaeological and historical geographical research on deserted medieval settlements in the borderlands of Flanders and Zealand · 2020 · DOI

• In addition to the historical document features, the miniatures included in the article are expected to be a source for the next periods and today’s miniature art, directing the artists and researchers to new topics that have not been addressed before.

  RODOS SEFERİ’NDE MENTEŞE SANCAĞI MİNYATÜRLERİNE BAKIŞ · 2020 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Archaeological Research and Protection

• Ground-penetrating radar survey at Falerii Novi: a new approach to the study of Roman cities · Antiquity · 2020 · 57 citations
• Succeeding CORONA: declassified HEXAGON intelligence imagery for archaeological and historical research · Antiquity · 2022 · 57 citations
• Why archaeology's relevance to global challenges has not been recognised · Antiquity · 2021 · 44 citations
• Current Digital Archaeology · Annual Review of Anthropology · 2022 · 41 citations
• Documenting information making in archaeological field reports · Journal of Documentation · 2021 · 31 citations
• Rethinking the Landscape: Emerging Approaches to Archaeological Remote Sensing · Annual Review of Anthropology · 2021 · 31 citations
• DMP XIII: Reconnaissance Survey of Archaeological Sites in the Murzuq Area · Libyan Studies · 2011 · 29 citations
• The Roman Frontier in Germany: an Archaeological Survey · The Journal of Roman Studies · 1969 · 27 citations
• Making archaeology relevant to global challenges: a Global South perspective · Antiquity · 2021 · 18 citations
• DISTRIBUTION OF CORDED WARE IN THE AREAS NORTH OF THE GULF OF FINLAND – AN UPDATE; pp. 3–29 · Estonian Journal of Archaeology · 2014 · 18 citations

Most recent work

• "When the last gunshot’s cry falls silent": Archaeological Investigation of the "Convoy of the Thirty-Five (Lamed-Heh)" (January 14-16, 1948) · International Journal of Historical Archaeology · 2026
• New Insights into the Site of Madonna del Piano (Castro dei Volsci, Italy) Through a Combined Use of Drone-Acquired LIDAR Data, Laser Scanning, Photogrammetry, Historical Aerial Imagery Analysis, Geophysical Investigations and Archaeological Analysis · Remote Sensing · 2026
• On Buried Frequencies: A Spectral Compendium of Lost Treasures and Unsolved Ciphers · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · 2026
• Remote Roca: Integrating Data From Archaeological Survey, Remote Sensing and Geophysics in the Hinterland at the Long‐Lasting Mediterranean Site of Rocavecchia (Apulia, Italy) · Archaeological Prospection · 2026
• Multitemporal Geodetic and TLS Survey of the Bridge ‘Ponte della Costituzione’ in Venice for High-Precision Deformation Monitoring · Applied Sciences · 2026
• Restitution and Repatriation Debates: Museum Policy Shifts and Cultural Diplomacy · IDOSR JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION AND ENGLISH · 2026
• Directory of Archaeological Job Sites and Regularly Offered Paid Positions · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · 2026
• Scavi nell'area archeologica di Gianmartino di Tiriolo (CZ): risultati preliminari della campagna 2023 · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · 2026
• An Analytical Scientific Study of Selected Bronze Artifacts, within the Conservation and Restoration Project of Metal Artifacts Discovered at Archaeological Sites in the Emirate of Dubai · حولية الاتحاد العام للآثاريين العرب دراسات فى آثار الوطن العربى · 2026
• Příspěvek k dějinám budovy Ústavu dějin Univerzity Karlovy a archivu Univerzity Karlovy a Archivního a depozitního střediska Lešetice · AUC HISTORIA UNIVERSITATIS CAROLINAE PRAGENSIS · 2026

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