About Toruń and University

Toruń, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most remarkable medieval cities in Central Europe. Its exceptionally well-preserved Old Town, dominated by red-brick Gothic churches, townhouses, and fortifications, bears witness to centuries of cultural, intellectual, and artistic life. As the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, Toruń occupies a unique place in European intellectual history—symbolizing the enduring tension between tradition and innovation that continues to shape both science and the humanities.

Today, Toruń combines historical depth with a vibrant academic and cultural atmosphere. Compact, walkable, and rich in museums, archives, and cultural institutions, the city offers an inspiring setting for scholarly exchange and reflection.

The conference will be hosted by the Faculty of History, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU), one of Poland’s leading research universities. Founded in 1945, NCU has developed a strong international reputation in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences alike. Archaeology occupies an important place within this research environment, combining long-standing fieldwork traditions with interdisciplinary approaches to the study of past societies and material culture.

Research conducted within this field includes the study of worked hard animal materials—such as bone, antler, ivory, tooth, and shell—from prehistory to the Middle Ages. These studies address a wide range of issues, including the procurement and selection of raw materials, manufacturing technologies, craft traditions, object biographies, and the cognitive dimensions of bone working. They also encompass the analysis of individual assemblages, experimental research on manufacturing techniques and object use, and detailed wear-trace studies. Particular attention is given to the experimental verification of trace interpretations, using both macro-wear analysis at low stereoscopic magnifications and micro-wear analysis with metallographic light microscopy.

Together, Toruń’s historical significance, academic vitality, and strong tradition of archaeological research on material culture make it an especially fitting venue for the 17th Worked Bone Research Group Meeting.