XXV Symposium on Mediterranean Archaeology (SOMA 2024), Zadar, Croatia, 25 – 27 April 2024

The 25th Symposium on Mediterranean Archaeology (XXV SOMA) was inagurated today at the Education and presentation centre for underwater archaeology of St. Nicholas within ICUA Zadar.

In their opening speeches, the Director of the Centre Mladen Pešića, Rector of the University of Zadar Josip Faričić, representative of UNESCO Edouard Planche, vice president of the GAMA Network and associated professor at Akdeniz University Hakan Ȫniz, head of the Department of Culture and Sports in the City of Zadar Dina Bušić and the representative of the Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media, Anuška Deranja Crnokić, Director of Directorate for Archives, Libraries and Museums, addressed the attendees.

Over the next three days, SOMA 2024 Symposium titled ‘’Mediterranean - history as it once has been", will highlight recent achievements in archaeological research, cultural heritage protection and preservation within the Mediterranean region. Distinguished experts, scientists and students will share their findings in lectures and poster presentations.

The international scientific conference brought together experts from various countries, with participation from representatives of Italy, Slovenia, Turkey, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Montenegro, Malta, Egypt, Poland, Hungary and Croatia.

Exchange of knowledge and advancements, professional networking, and especially continuous education of experts, are necessary in the battle against constant threats to underwater archaeological heritage. Our scope is expanding, driven by the growing importance and understanding of interdisciplinary efforts in today's scientific landscape.

The International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar, in cooperation with the Department of Archaeology, University of Zadar, Archaeological Museum in Zadar, Museum of Ancient Glass in Zadar and the GAMA Network (General Association for Mediterranean Archaeology), is hosting the event. The Symposium is made possible through financial support from the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia.