The conference was dedicated to Professor Bouzek's professional life, but the goal was not only to honour his exceptional professional achievements but also to create a broad forum for discussion across the archaeology of Europe, and specifically to include the following topics: The Black Sea Area; The Aegean and Anatolia; Central Europe; Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman; Climate; Celts on the Move; Thrace and its Rulers. All these topics were covered in considerable detail, and a gratifying level of debate was engendered during the discussion sessions. 91 participants were registered, from 22 countries, and 42 papers and 15 posters presented.
This was more than we had planned for, showing the level of interest the conference produced. Seven key-note speakers introduced and chaired each of the sessions.
A festive lecture on the first evening was presented by Professor Friederike Fless (President of the German Archaeological Institute, Berlin), with the title ""Cultural and scientific interrelations"". The conference was held in the splendid conference room of the Clam-Gallas Palace, home to the Prague City Archive.
On the final evening, participants were able to attend a reception and ceremony, held in the gothic New Town Hall, where Professor Bouzek was awarded the Gold Medal of Charles University by the Rector, Professor Tomáš Zíma, for his lifelong achievements. They were also able to learn something of the architectural history of Prague on a tour guided by a leading expert in the field, Professor Richard Biegel.