VIAS - Vienna Institute for Archaeological Science
Our Mission
The Vienna Institute for Archaeological Science (VIAS) was founded within the University of Vienna in 1992 as a forward-looking transdisciplinary institution. VIAS aims to develop and integrate methods from the natural sciences in a dynamic relationship with the culture-oriented investigative frameworks of archaeology, and to provide support, knowledge and partnership in multidisciplinary research programmes and projects.
VIAS is conducting research in the fields of archaeobotany, archaeozoology, bioarchaeology, archaeometry and archaeometallurgy, analysis of precious metals, geophysical archaeological prospection on land and underwater, geoarchaeology, digital archaeological documentation methods, and experimental archaeology.
VIAS reaches out beyond the university by developing and collaborating in projects together with the Austrian Academy of Sciences and regional museums and cultural heritage administrations as well as numerous international partners. VIAS has substantially contributed to the development of efficient high-resolution prospection methods as founding partner in the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology.
Cup Inv. Nr. VIIb 14, hoard of gold from Nagyszentmiklós, Museum of Art History Vienna, Photo: M. Mehofer
Dry preserved capsules of flax (Linum usitatissimum) from the Roman settlement Kellis, Egypt, Photo A. G. Heiss
Experimental Archaeology: open-air museum Schwarzenbach
Polished cross-section of a copperstone-speck fragment. Copper-iron sulphides (gray) solidified in dendritic form (Photo: M. Mehofer)
Fracture area: Canaanite pottery
Experimental Archaeology: building a dugout, Strandbad Keutschach (www.pfahlbauten.at)
Mineralized seed of camelina (Camelina sativa) from the Roman latrine Petronell - Schloß Traun, Austria, Photo A. G. Heiss
Naue-II-sword from Greece (Photo: M. Mehofer/ R. Jung)
Experimental archeology: open-air museum Großklein
Slag, remnants of copper smelting (Photo M. Mehofer)
Carbonised fruit of the wild buckwheat (Fallopia convolvulus) from the Roman latrine Petronell - Schloß Traun, Austria, Photo A. G. Heiss
Melting pearl, result of an experiment on gold processing (Photo: M. Mehofer)
Experimental Archaeology: Pottery kiln
Thin section Cypr., Plain White Ware (mikropix) ENK 2248-5 5x
Lead isotope diagram of the copper origin of Greek and Italian artifacts (Late Bronze Age, Fig. M. Mehofer / R. Jung)
Reforged woodworking tools of the younger Iron Age: left to right: socketed axe, adze, spoon bit, wood carving knife, bark needle, marking awl, open handsaw, chisel, gouge, compass (project Schwarzenbach 2004)
Dry preserved seed of the giant chickweed (Myosoton aquaticum) from the Roman latrine Petronell - Castle Traun, Austria, Photo A. G. Heiss
Nubian Pan Grave pottery from Karnak, Egypt
Experimental Archaeology: basket-weaving
Carbonised olive seed (Olea europaea) from drill core 393 in Ephesos, Turkey, Photo A. G. Heiss