The Institute for Archaeology was established at the Faculty of Philosophy in Sarajevo in 2013 and is one of the subunits of the Centre for Scientific Research and Expert Activities of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Sarajevo (NIRSA Centre).
The Institute covers all activities that can be linked to archaeology as a science, but also to the preservation and protection of archaeological heritage.
Consequently, the Institute organises and implements, either independently or in cooperation with other institutions and associations, different forms of archaeological heritage research, primarily geophysical non-invasive research, as well as the assessment of archaeological potential in the area being researched. In addition to these activities, the Institute also organises protective and systematic research of archaeological sites.
The Institute is also active in organising and implementing scientific work and developing scientific research methods in the field of archaeology. Through its activities, the Institute contributes to the development and promotion of diverse cultural and historical heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the surrounding countries. Students from the Chair of Archaeology from the Faculty of Philosophy in Sarajevo and other universities in the region, as well as young professionals from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region working in the field of cultural heritage, participate in the implementation of activities of the Institute for Archaeology. This helps develop scientific and professional staff and young researchers. The Institute cooperates with scientific and expert institutions in the country and abroad through projects at the national and international level. It is also important to note that the Institute for Archaeology possesses publishing capacities and capacities for organising scientific events.
All the listed activities take place at archaeological sites spanning different chronological periods of human history, i.e. sites from Prehistory, Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the New Age.
The Institute for Archaeology applies all contemporary methods and an interdisciplinary approach to archaeological science during all research activities at archaeological sites and in other scientific work. In carrying out non-invasive research, the Institute for Archaeology uses modern geophysical equipment to determine the present state of the archaeological site without damaging it. Aerial photography images are also used for this purpose.
As a scientific research institution, the Institute for Archaeology is able to perform evaluations, provide expert opinion, prepare scientific and research programmes, studies and reports in the field of archaeology.
Since its establishment in 2013, the Institute for Archaeology has participated in the implementation of the international project Tempus BIHERIT (530755-TEMPUS-1- 2012-1-BA-TEMPUS-JPCR) and in numerous archaeological research activities as part of it.