Kordula Gostenčnik

Archaeologist honored with a look at the textile industry

Archaeologist Kordula Gostenčnik received the Carinthian Historical Society's Medal of Honor from Director Wilhelm Wadl. Renate Jernej gave the laudatory speech.(Bild: Roland Bäck/Geschichtsverein für Kärnten)

"Roman finds like these reflect practically the entire economic and social structure of a city," explains archaeologist Kordula Gostenčnik, who was awarded the History Society's Medal of Honor by Wilhelm Wadl, Director of the History Society for Carinthia.

"Right on our doorstep, in Carinthia and Austria, the Roman imperial period is the earliest epoch. I am particularly fascinated by the flow of imports into the Roman Empire and the exchange of goods with other peoples," says Kordula Gostenčnik, who has done a lot of research in Carinthia at Magdalensberg, Virunum and Teurnia and is particularly interested in ancient cultures with written records and international relations. The archaeologist from Lavamünd focuses on small Roman finds, because they are primary sources for research into ancient everyday culture. 

Excavations such as the one in Virunum always provide new insights into the life of the ancient Romans.(Bild: Uta Rojsek-Wiedergut)

The archaeologist finds it incomprehensible that the major handbooks pay little attention to the textile industry in particular, even though it was the second largest economic factor in the Roman Empire after agriculture. "Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the textile industry was often women's work and is therefore often grossly underestimated. Only in recent years has this view begun to change somewhat," said the archaeologist.

Roman medicine, early Roman wall paintings and late antique fortress architecture are also among the major topics that Gostenčnik deals with. She wrote her diploma thesis with the renowned Carinthian archaeologist Gernot Piccottini.

I am very pleased with this recognition for my academic work. It shows that the work is not only perceived in the field of specialized research, but also beyond that as a contribution to the cultural history of the country and arouses interest

Archäologin Kordula Gostenčnik

Gostenčnik now lives in Vienna, regularly exchanges ideas with researchers in France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Slovenia, Great Britain and the USA, has already trained numerous students in excavation practice and is also a reviewer for international research projects, among other things.

"The Medal of Honor was donated by the Historical Society to mark its 150th anniversary. Since 1995, it has been awarded to people who have rendered outstanding services to Carinthian history and the historical society," explains Director Wilhelm Wadl. He presented the award to Gostenčnik at the general meeting at the Carinthian Provincial Archives. The laudatory speech was given by archaeologist Renate Jernej, who is deputy secretary of the historical society.