European Archaeology Days Celebrated by the National History Museum of Romania

The National History Museum of Romania (NHMR) announces the celebration of the European Archaeology Days, taking place between June 13–15, 2025. On this occasion, the museum presents a diverse program designed to offer the public a unique perspective on the field of archaeology through a series of photo-documentary exhibitions, live demonstrations, and a book launch.

The detailed program of the events organized over the three days by the National History Museum of Romania, together with its partners—the Research Institute of the University of Bucharest (ICUB), “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași – Faculty of History, the Interdisciplinary Research Institute – Arheoinvest Center, and the 3D Measurement and Scanning Laboratory of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Department of Design Engineering and Robotics (IPR)—is attached to this press release and is also available online on the museum’s website, Facebook page, and other promotional platforms.

Since its beginnings more than half a century ago, the National History Museum of Romania has regarded archaeological research as a fundamental mission and a defining activity for its development. The excavations carried out—by archaeologists currently or formerly affiliated with the museum—at archaeological sites and sectors, or during large-scale infrastructure projects such as highways or railways across Romania, have contributed not only to enriching the national heritage but also to advancing our understanding of past societies. These efforts have represented a form of social responsibility. Archaeological sites are where young people (and not only them) discover history up close and gain interdisciplinary technical knowledge. They also help preserve—through highly accurate investigation and documentation—for future generations the fragments that ultimately shape our culture and collective identity. At the same time, they enable the uninterrupted progress of modern infrastructure. In other words, archaeologists are—through their profession and passion—“rescuers” of soul and memory, preserving not only treasures of gold, but also the complex and fragile human experiences captured in small (but significant) emotional details.

The collections of the National History Museum of Romania house numerous and diverse archaeological artifacts. For over half a century, the institution has actively participated in major systematic and preventive archaeological research projects, organized archaeological-themed exhibitions both in Romania and abroad, and implemented various archaeological projects funded by national or European sources. In this context, the museum contributes in multiple ways to the research, protection, promotion, and enhancement of archaeological heritage.

The European Archaeology Days are a celebration and promotion of archaeological heritage. At the same time, they serve as an opportunity to encourage public authorities and various stakeholders in the field of archaeology to support and promote this type of heritage. The event is anchored in a digital platform—journees-archeologie.fr—which brings to the public’s attention the many facets and rich diversity of archaeological heritage and initiatives across Europe. Since its inception in 2019, this European-wide celebration has fostered the development of a network of stakeholders in archaeology across all Council of Europe member states.

The main objectives of the annual celebration of the European Archaeology Days are to:

Raise awareness among European citizens about the richness and cultural diversity of Europe;
Increase the visibility of archaeology among different audiences and the media;
Raise public and political awareness regarding the need to protect archaeological heritage;
Help the public understand the cultural mosaic of Europe;
Attract new audiences not typically engaged with archaeological sites;
Promote the entire archaeological process “from excavation to museum”;
Encourage knowledge exchange between archaeology professionals and European citizens.

More information is available at: https://journees-archeologie.eu
In Romania, the National Heritage Institute serves as the national coordinator of the European Archaeology Days.

We look forward to welcoming you!

PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN ARCHAEOLOGY DAYS

CELEBRATED BY THE NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF ROMANIA AND ITS PARTNERS
(13 – 15 JUNE 2025)

FRIDAY, 13.06.2025

• 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM / at the NHMR headquarters, main entrance area
🔬 Demonstrative workshop on archaeological research tools and methods, and its multidisciplinary dimension
Organized by members of the Research Institute of the University of Bucharest – ArchaeoScience Platform / Activity coordinator: Dr. Cătălin Lazăr
Various surveying equipment and drones will be presented. There will also be a live demonstration session with brief explanations from the ArchaeoScience Platform members on applications, methods, archaeological potential, etc.

• 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM / at the NHMR headquarters, Lapidarium Hall
📖 Book Launch: PETRE ALEXANDRESCU – CORRESPONDENCE. VOLUME II (1979–1990), Mega Publishing House, Cluj-Napoca, edited by Vlad Alexandrescu and Liviu Iancu.
The book will be presented by Dr. Florian Matei-Popescu (Institute of Archaeology “Vasile Pârvan”) and Dr. Liviu Iancu (Institute for Advanced Studies in Levant Culture and Civilization).
In the communist period, key research institutions declined—some perhaps irreversibly—while others were closed. Thus, professional communication was limited. During that time, correspondence played a crucial role in communication between specialists, partly replacing the lack of mobility for attending conferences or research internships abroad.
This presentation is part of a new cultural series launched during the 2025 European Archaeology Days by the National History Museum of Romania, titled “Restitutions”. The series aims to recall important figures, milestones, projects, and discoveries in Romanian archaeological and historical research through correspondence, documents, sites, and artifacts associated with them.

• 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM / at the NHMR headquarters, Lapidarium Hall
🔬 Demonstrative workshop: 3D scanning and virtual reconstruction of Trajan’s Column
Live demonstrations of 3D scanning and virtual coloring technologies will be presented, applied to the replicas of Trajan’s Column preserved in NHMR’s Lapidarium. The results of these innovative efforts will be showcased through virtual reality (VR). The workshop will be held by representatives of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Department of Design Engineering and Robotics – 3D Measurement and Scanning Laboratory, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Călin Neamțu.

• 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM / at the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, University Palace – Hall of the Lost Footsteps
(Address: Bulevardul Carol I, no. 11, 700506, Iași)
📸 Opening of the photo-documentary exhibition: A Journey Through History. Archaeological Heritage in the Context of Building the Sibiu – Pitești Highway / Section 3
At first glance, “a journey through history” may seem metaphorical, but it reflects a reality—a modern highway built along much older historical routes. Preventive archaeological research for this major infrastructure project uncovered new historical narratives along the upper Topolog and Băiaș valleys.
This exhibition presents the background, characteristics, and preliminary results of the research, highlighting how it deepens our understanding of the archaeological and historical heritage of the areas affected by the future highway.

Exhibition coordinators: Dr. Corina Borș (NHMR) and Dr. Andrei Asăndulesei (UAIC, Faculty of History / Interdisciplinary Research Institute – Arheoinvest Center).
More details are available at: https://www.mnir.ro/expozitia-drum-prin-istorie…

• 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM / at the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, University Palace – Hall of the Lost Footsteps
🔬 VR Workshop – Exploring Archaeological Heritage through Immersive Technology: Promoting Cultural Landscapes along the Sibiu – Pitești Highway, Section 3
This interactive workshop highlights the significance of archaeological discoveries made during the highway construction. Through virtual reality, participants can explore digital reconstructions of archaeological landscapes discovered during preventive excavations.
Using VR headsets, visitors will “walk through” 3D-rendered archaeological sites, observe artifacts in their original contexts, and better understand how cultural heritage is managed in the context of large-scale infrastructure projects.

SATURDAY, 14.06.2025

• 10:00 AM / at the NHMR headquarters, main entrance area
📸 Opening of the outdoor photo-documentary exhibition ArchaeoMNIR – MNIR Archaeology
Since its foundation over 50 years ago, the National History Museum of Romania has made archaeological research a central mission. Excavations by its archaeologists across Romania—on sites impacted by major infrastructure projects like highways and railways—have enriched the national heritage and our understanding of past societies.
These archaeological efforts also serve a broader responsibility to society, providing young researchers with hands-on interdisciplinary training and ensuring that historical fragments are preserved for future generations.
The exhibition ArchaeoMNIR is a visual retrospective of the most important sites and discoveries from recent years by NHMR specialists, displayed on the museum’s front steps.

SUNDAY, 15.06.2025

• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM / Botanical Garden “Dimitrie Brândză” of the University of Bucharest
(Address: Șoseaua Cotroceni no. 32, Sector 6, Bucharest)
📍 Location: Historical Garden area (behind the greenhouses)
🔬 Demonstrative outdoor workshop on archaeological research tools, methods, and interdisciplinary approaches
Organized by: Dr. Cristina Covătaru, Dr. Adrian Șerbănescu, Cristian Roth
Members of the ArchaeoSciences Platform (Research Institute, University of Bucharest) will conduct a live workshop featuring state-of-the-art archaeological equipment such as drones, geophysical tools, and non-invasive prospection methods.
Participants will witness real-time demonstrations and engage with researchers on the practical use of these tools for heritage investigation.

🧭 This activity emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of modern archaeology, integrating geophysics, paleogeography, GIS, and geospatial data analysis. It offers a hands-on insight into cutting-edge research led by the ArchaeoSciences Platform—a center of excellence supporting advanced archaeological science.

📸 Outdoor photo-documentary exhibition presentation: A Journey Through History. Archaeological Heritage in the Context of Building the Sibiu – Pitești Highway / Section 3
This informal exhibition presentation focuses on the role and preliminary results of archaeological investigations carried out as part of the highway project, emphasizing the connection between modern infrastructure and the preservation of cultural heritage.

12.06.2025 / Editor, Andreea Dragan

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