Institute of Baltic Sea Region History and Archaeology

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Institute of Baltic Sea Region History and Archaeology (Lithuanian: Baltijos regiono istorijos ir archeologijos institutas, (BRIAI)) – scientific subdivision of Klaipėda University. The institute was founded in 2003 on the basis of former Centre of History of Western Lithuania and Prussia (functioned in 1992-2003).

The scholars of institute historically, archaeologocally and anthropologically research the past of Lithuania Minor and Samogitia in the context of Baltic Sea region.

Scientific research issues, prosecuted by the institute:

Exploration of regional history.
Archaeological exploration of Klaipėda and other Lithuanian towns (development of urbanization in Lithuania in the 10th – 16th centuries).
Formation of digital exploratory archive for Klaipėda, its region and Samogitia.
Publication of research results and primary historical sources about Klaipėda, the region and Lithuania Minor.
Marine and underwater archaeological exploration around Lithuania and the Baltic Sea.
Dendro-chronological dating of archaeological, architectural and historical wood, employment of its results in archaeology. Collection of data bank for annual flute of wood.
Cultural anthropology of the Baltic region.

The issues of researches are presented in the monographies of the institute staff, collections of material of the conferences, organized by institute, as well as in the periodical publications of the institute: Acta Historica Universitatis Klaipedensis (since 1993 13 volumes were published) and Archaeologia Baltica (since 2006 this scientific publication is published together with Institute of Lithianian History).

The institute collaborate with scientific institutions, scholars and museums in Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Russia, Latvia, Sweden, United States, United Kingdom, France, Denmark. The library, specialised in historical and archaeological literature, is collected in the institute (24 thousand volumes). The staff of institute participates in the process of studies in the Department of History of Klaipėda University, reads lectures for bachelor, master's, doctoral students (history and archaeology specialisations), leads their scientific papers.

Directors of the institute: Assoc. Prof., Dr. Alvydas Nikžentaitis in 1992–1993, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Vladas Žulkus in 1993–1998, Prof., Dr. Stephen Christopher Rowell in 1998–1999, Dr. Vacys Vaivada in 1999–2001, Prof., Dr. Habil. Vladas Žulkus in 2001–2002, Dr. Silva Pocytė since 2002 m.