Report from the Rudnik Workshop
From 15–19 of September 2025, participants of the Rudnik Workshop spent five intensive days working together in Serbia.
Locations & fieldwork at Rudnik
From 15 to the morning of 18, the group was based in Rudnik (Hotel Kraljica). According to the original plan, the time there was dedicated to fieldwork at three key locations:
- Valley of the Jasenica River
- Drenje – Prljuša – Veliki Šturac (placename: Paljevine / “Burning site”)
- Majdan (partly known locally as Charcoal Burners’ Ridge)
During the workshop, the first two sites in Serbia with clear evidence of charcoal production were identified:
- Upper Valley of the Jasenica River
- Charcoal Burners’ Ridge
Charcoal samples were collected at these sites and later analysed in Belgrade. Further sampling and analysis will continue at the laboratories of CA members in Belgrade and Sofia as part of follow-up collaboration developed during this workshop – an important example of networking, which is one of the core aims of the COST programme.
Work in Belgrade
On the morning of 18, the group transferred to Belgrade. On 18–19, participants worked at the premises of the Institute of History Belgrade (LOS), using microscopes and discussing tasks and deliverables (Ts and Ds) of WG3 and other Working Groups as needed, especially WG1 and WG3, as well as deliverables of the CA as a whole.
Training & educational activities
Several lectures and discussions were organised during the workshop:
- Rudnik: characteristics and historical development
- Overview of the region’s development and coal production to provide context for the fieldwork.
- Lecturer: Mirko Vranić
- Experimental archaeology and plant fuels in prehistory
- Focus on the close connection between metallurgy and charcoal production and the fact that the development of metallurgy would not have been possible without charcoal.
- Lecturer: Vojislav Filipović (see the presentation)
In addition, two lectures by Oliver Nelle and Koen Deforce, who also served as trainers, introduced participants to:
- The basics of charcoal analysis and the types of information it provides
(e.g. past forest composition, environmental conditions) - A regional case study of charcoal finds and methods used to ignite charcoal in pits and kilns
Contribution to PoTaRCh deliverables
In line with the original plan, the TS contributed to several PoTaRCh tasks and deliverables:
- Best-practice guide for identifying and excavating EU-PoTaRCh sites
- T3.1; Deliverable 7
- Participants learned how to identify charcoal production remains in the field and how to collect them for sampling.
- PoTaRCh vocabulary
- Deliverable 12
- The team discussed the approach and future development of the charcoal-related vocabulary.
- Educational Trail of PoTaRCh in Europe
- Deliverable 13
- A discussion was held on Serbia’s potential role within the planned Educational Trail.
Outcomes & next steps
Beyond the planned deliverables, the Rudnik workshop achieved important strategic goals:
- T1.3 – Ensuring scientific progression and knowledge-sharing
- Participants were trained in methods of locating and sampling charcoal production sites and are now able to apply these skills in their own regions.
- Knowledge exchange during discussions contributed directly to scientific progress within the Action.
- T1.4 – Dissemination and communication
- Dissemination will include:
- A webinar for CA members, presenting the results of the workshop.
- Scientific publications and follow-up activities – the field team agreed to prepare a paper based on the data and experience gained during this field school.
- Dissemination will include:
The Rudnik workshop thus combined hands-on fieldwork, laboratory training, and strategic discussions, strengthening collaboration within the Action and laying the groundwork for future joint research and outreach.
