Abstract
The 19th century represented a period of formation and institutional consolidation for Romanian archaeology, marked by the transition from antiquarianism to scientific research. In the context of Western cultural influences and the development of national consciousness, collectors and intellectuals of the time contributed to the creation of the first archaeological collections and museums. Initiatives such as the founding of the National Museum of Antiquities (1834) and the activity of figures such as Mihalache Ghica, Cezar Bolliac, Alexandru Odobescu, and Grigore Tocilescu laid the methodological and academic foundations of Romanian archaeology. Through the introduction of specialized education and the development of systematic research, archaeology became a scientific field with an important role in defining national identity and in understanding the past. Thus, the 19th century can be regarded as the birth era of modern archaeology in Romania.