It is a great honour for us, at the West University of Timisoara, to organize the anniversary XX UISPP World Congress in Timisoara. After a long period of time in which the state of the pandemic has affected all the major scientific events, we look with confidence to returning to live presentations and joyful debates on the hottest topics in Pre and Protohistorical archaeology, and also on the cutting-edge approaches leading to the ever-new achievements in the science of archaeology. (...)
Once again, the great disasters that are destroying communities and human lives are returning where none of us thought it would be possible. Beyond human suffering, what we see more often are the incredible series of destructions of archaeological sites and archaeological heritage in museums and collections. It is the duty not only of the body of archaeologists, but of the entire scientific community to always find new solutions to ensure the preservation in the best conditions of the universal archaeological heritage and its transmission to future generations. Here at West University of Timisoara, we will be permanently involved in the generous purposes of this mission. (...) - Marilen Gabriel Pirtea, Rector of West University of Timisoara