The “Iuliu Paul” Institute of Systemic Archaeology is a research structure of the “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia. It was established in 2004 through the transformation of the Baza de Cercetări cu Utilizatori Multipli (Multi-User Research Facility – B.C.U.M.).
The foundations of this research structure were laid in 2001 through an international Type B grant funded by the World Bank and approved under Contract No. 198/24 January 2001. Between 2001 and 2003, B.C.U.M. developed as a research and training structure whose main objective was to provide theoretical and practical training for specialists in archaeology and in the conservation and restoration of archaeological materials and sites. Its activities supported both the specialist training of undergraduate students and the development of training programmes at master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels.
Following the completion of the grant, B.C.U.M. was transformed into the Institute of Systemic Archaeology (I.A.S.). In 2004, the Institute was accredited by the Ministry of Education and Research and the National Council for Scientific Research in Higher Education through Certificate No. 20/CC-C.
In 2011, at the initiative of its research staff, the Institute was named after Professor Iuliu Paul in recognition of his fundamental contribution to the establishment and development of both the Institute and the “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia.
In 2013, the Institute was incorporated into the Faculty of History and Philology, while its specialists became affiliated with the Department of History, Archaeology and Museology. Following subsequent institutional reorganisations, the Institute currently operates within the Faculty of History, Letters and Educational Sciences, in close cooperation with the Department of History, Archaeology and Heritage.
Through its current activities, the Institute seeks to advance systemic and interdisciplinary archaeological research, strengthen academic cooperation, and expand the scientific and specialist services provided to the academic community, partner institutions, and external beneficiaries. At the same time, it contributes to the training of specialists, the dissemination and promotion of research results, and the enhancement of the scientific visibility of the “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia.