CORNUS Project
At the Strojanova voda pile-dwelling site near Ig, researchers have uncovered significant archaeobotanical remains that testify to the former use of wild plants that are now largely forgotten. Among the finds are crushed stones of common dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) fruits, revealing that this wild fruit may have played a more important role in prehistoric communities than previously assumed. Researchers are also investigating the possibility that these remains represent one of the earliest known traces of soap production.
Building on these findings, the Institute of Archaeology at ZRC SAZU is as part of the program carrying out the CORNUS research project, which investigates the bioactive compounds found in common dogwood oil. In collaboration with experts from the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, the research team has recently succeeded in extracting oil from common dogwood fruits.
The oil is currently undergoing biochemical analyses at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana. Researchers will examine its fatty acid composition and biological activities in order to scientifically evaluate the potentially overlooked or forgotten beneficial properties of oil derived from common dogwood fruits. Associate Professor PhD Nina Kočevar Glavač provides further insight into the research, the preparation of the oil for storage, and the importance of its chemical composition:
The CORNUS project has thus grown beyond the scope of fundamental archaeobotanical research into an interdisciplinary study with considerable applied potential. Its aim is to connect prehistoric knowledge of wild plant use with contemporary approaches to sustainable development, while contributing to the revival of nearly forgotten natural resources.
Initial results point to several promising use that align with the principles of the green transition and sustainable development. These include the further development of common dogwood oil as a natural product, research into its use in eco-friendly cosmetics—including the production of natural soap—opportunities to promote the sustainable cultivation of common dogwood as an alternative agricultural crop, and the development of new products inspired by Slovenia's natural and cultural heritage.