Research carried out within our broadly formulated research programme is basic in its nature and importance. It enables the continual building up of our understanding of Slovene, European and worldwide medieval and early modern history. The publication of original documents offers the possibility of the study and analysis of ancient written records for a great number of national and international researchers, who are thus attracted to the study of the Slovene area. Analysis and work on new original documents is the only basis for improving and enriching our knowledge of our own past. Cataloguing and publishing the first mentionings of localities is one of the basic instruments for historical research. Research into the history of the Slovene area, the settlements, economy, society, civilization and everyday life, serves as basic research following other European examples, and also deepens our knowledge of Slovene history, both locally and abroad. By comparing such research it is possible to incorporate Slovene history, and studies on Slovene history, into broader historical phenomena and processes, along with the research on them, within Europe and beyond.