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The role of bioarchaeology in presentation and popularisation of science in Croatia with special emphasis on bioarchaeological studies of the Roman period skeletal collections

Formation of the osteological collection of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts during the 1990’s marked a turning point in the development of bioarchaeology in Croatia. Today, this collection numbers more than 3000 skeletons and a large part of it is comprised of skeletons dated to the Roman period. Most of the Roman period skeletal collection was presented to the general public through several archaeological exhibitions, as well as through numerous articles published in newspapers. In addition, several public lectures dedicated to the study of skeletal remains of the Antique period inhabitants of Croatia were held in secondary schools. Manifestation named “Croatian Academy Open Doors Days” held in 2011 provided an excellent opportunity for presentation of bioarchaeology, and science in general, when the bioarchaeological laboratory analyses, conducted on the Roman period skeletons, were presented to the public. One episode of a recently filmed TV show with bioarchaeology as a main subject is devoted to the analysis of skeletal remains of a Roman soldier from Resnik near Split - it will also be a major contribution to the popularisation of bioarchaeology in Croatia. Additionally, a scientific-popular monograph aiming to reconstruct the living conditions of the Roman period inhabitants of Zadar based on bioarchaeological analyses will be published soon. The perception of bioarchaeology in Croatia today is significantly better compared to twenty years ago which is as a result of continuous and intense efforts conducted simultaneously on two fronts - among archaeologists and in general public. These efforts led to a fact that today in Croatia all archaeological excavations of human skeletal remains result in bioarchaeological studies of the recovered material, while frequent appearances in media, combined with public lectures and presentations, have made bioarchaeology very popular with an extremely positive response in general public.

Presentation; promotion; bioarchaeology; science; Croatia

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