About Soma XXV

The International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar welcomes you to the 25th Symposium on Mediterranean Archaeology (SOMA). The conference will take place in Zadar (Croatia) from April 25th to 27th, 2024. The theme of this year SOMA 25 annual gathering is ''Mediterranean – History as it once has been''. We are looking forward to welcoming you to Zadar and SOMA 25 conference!

The topic of this interdisciplinary meeting explores various aspects of navigation and its connection with cultural and material heritage. By doing so, it facilitates a deeper understanding of the historical, cultural and economic contexts associated with these topics.

The focus will also be on new ideas for the conservation and interpretation of cultural heritage, related topics such as art history, numismatics, epigraphy as well as other topics that connected the Mediterranean world through the history.

The Conference is organized with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia.

During this event, the plenary sessions will be held at the Education and Presentation Centre for Underwater Archaeology St. Nicholas, located within the International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar (ICUA Zadar).

The Conference is jointly organized by the International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar, the Network of the General Association for Mediterranean Archaeology (GAMA), Department of Archaeology at the University of Zadar, Museum of Ancient Glass and Archaeological museum in Zadar.

SOMA is an international scientific conference that brings together archaeologists from different parts of the Mediterranean. Until today it has been held in Turkey, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Ireland, Russia, Poland and the United Kingdom in cooperation with partners from various countries.

The conference aims to share and discuss experiences and ideas related to recent advancements in researching, protecting and conserving cultural heritage in the Mediterranean region.

The international conference will feature both plenary sessions and poster presentations. The Scientific Committee will evaluate submitted applications, and the conference programme will be organized using the book of abstracts.

The papers will be grouped into different sessions:

1. Legislation management and interpretation of cultural heritage

2. Shipwrecks

3. Maritime cultural landscapes

4. Ports, harbours and anchorages

5. Material culture and trade

6. Seafaring and navigation

7. Tools and methods (excavations, documentation, conservation, restoration)