Problems and challenges in the management of prehistoric sites. Example of the Neolithic site Slatina – Turska česma in Drenovac near Paraćin

Abstract

Archaeological heritage is a complex concept that exceeds simple materiality. It comprises movable and immovable remains, the evidential and interpretative notion of material traces from the past as well. At the same time, archaeological heritage is a fragile and non-renewable scientific, cultural, and societal resource. Its use must, therefore, be systematically planned and managed to minimize the devastation the kinds of values that physical remains can convey. This paper describes the establishment of an integrated conservation management program for the Neolithic site of Slatina – Turska ~esma in Drenovac, near Para}in, in parallel with the ongoing archaeological excavations. Also, this is an attempt at a reflexive, critical review of the realized activities and the implications of sheltering the archaeological site. The aim is to evaluate the current preliminary results and to show what the next steps will be.