On the Past and Contemporary Character of Classical Archaeology

Abstract

The paper considers classical archaeology as one of the first and oldest branches of archaeology practised in Europe taking into account the fact that interest in the relics of ancient civilisations is deeply inscribed in the self-identification of various peoples of Europe, in the grounds of their cultural identity. A wider problem concerning the 'living antiquity’ observed in the history of Europe is mentioned as well, and the causes of such vitality which is the reason why we spoke and most often still speak of the Greco-Roman foundations of European civilisation, albeit some argue that such an approach to Antiquity has already declined.