Mobility Report: Stašo Forenbaher at the University of Cambridge

I completed my wek-long short-term mobility at Cambridge University from March 19 to March 24, 2018.  The organizer and host of my stay was Dr. Preston Miracle (Division of Archaeology, Cambridge University).

The primary purpose of my visit was to meet as many researchers as possible from the Cambridge University (members of MendTheGap project, but also other specialists from the University) with whom I share research interests, to consult the leading experts and discuss and share knowledge and experience. With prof. Cyprian Broodbank, the current Director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, I discussed a variety of issues related to central Mediterrannean prehistory, especially the 3rd millenium BC in Adriatic and Aegean. With prof. Marie-Louise Sørensen (UC Division of Archaeology;  Jesus College) I discussed current issues in Late Bronze Age archaeology of south-central Europe. With dr. Simon Stoddart (UC Division of Archaeology;  Magdalene College) I talked about the dinamics of occupation and abandonment of small and remote Mediterranean islands. With prof. John Robb (UC Division of Archaeology;  Peterhouse College) I discussed Neolithic cave sites used for mortuary ritual in the Adriatic region. With prof. Colin Renfrew  (Senior Fellow, formerly Director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research) and Dr. Michael Boyd (McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research) I discussed the early Mediterranean maritime sanctuaries.

In concordance with the purpose of my visit, I presented a 45-minute lecture about my research at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, titled Special Place, Interesting Times: The Island of Palagruža and the Prehistoric Seafarers of the Adriatic. My presentation was followed by an extended discussion. I spent a part of my time with dr. Preston Miracle planning for the upcoming project-related events: the Vela Luka field school (to be held in September 2018)and the workshop on Bayesian modelling of radiocarbon dates (to be held in late 2018).In addition to the Division of Archaeology and McDonald Institute, I visited several  other institutions that belong to, or are closely related to, the Cambridge University, includingthe Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, and a number of colleges.

I consider my stay as successful, productive, and highly enriching for myself as a specialist and researcher. I would hope that the benefits of my visit were mutual, shared with my counterparts from the Cambridge University.