In August 2008, work began at the ÖAI on a project supported by the FWF designed to study the nature of Provincial Roman Archaeology in Austria during the first half of the 20th century (Project number P20877-G02). It is the goal of the project to analyse the nature of archaeological research by means of the leading individuals and institutions, the excavation sites and focal points of research, in their political and ideological context, and to present the results in a comprehensive documentation. Connections between scientific research and politics, and their consequences, should be made clear. In the treatment of these themes, which in Classical and Provincial Roman Archaeology remains a desideratum in the field of the history of science, attention should be paid to the specifically Austrian situation with regard to the history of research, which differs from that of Germany: in Austria, Provincial Roman Archaeology was always part of Classical Archaeology.
The chronological period under investigation in the project spans the time from the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, through the First Republic, the 'Ständestaat' (authoritarian state), and the period of National Socialism, up until the creation of the Second Republic in 1945.
Sources which will be consulted include the contemporary literature as well as archival material; therefore, research in a variety of archives will constitute an essential component of the project. An important matrix is formed by the collection of documents in the archive of the ÖAI.
Institutions which were active archaeologically and which should be examined include not only universities and other scientific institutions, but also the activities of museums and societies should be taken into account. Archaeological research was decided upon not only by scientists active at universities and research institutions beyond the university, but also by amateur researchers.

In addition to the documentation of the four basic areas, which will be composed in the form of a catalogue, detailed analysis of specific themes is also planned. The work will be oriented towards the following series of questions, amongst others:

• Which crucial points in terms of content and geography were established in research, and to what extent did the period of radical change of 1918, the ideology of the 'Ständestaat', and the racial theories of the Nazi era influence this research? Which projects were initiated and/or transformed - and how are these to be interpreted in the context of their time?
• Excavations with political intentions were, for example, the 'Führergrabung' Carnuntum and the investigation of the Karnburg in Carinithia in 1939. Is it possible to identify, at other excavations of the 'twenties, 'thirties, and 'forties, the influence of the current ideology in the choice of focal points or in the interpretation of the finds?
• Were Celts, Romans or Germans provided with particular connotations?
• How is the role of the acting individuals to be viewed? To what extent did their proximity to or distance from the ruling power structure influence their research? How far did those scientifically responsible attempt to conform to the times, or allow themselves to be instrumentalised, and was there, on the part of scientific knowledge, an attempt to utilise politics for their own ends (as 'resources for each other')?
• What degree did the exclusion of 'non-aryan' scientists assume, and what effect did this have on scientific knowledge?
• What influence did the rival institutions of the SS, the "Amt Rosenberg" and the "Ahnenerbe", active during the Third Reich in the area of cultural politics, have on archaeological research in Austria?