Mate Parica was born on 27th March 1980 in Zadar. He studied archaeology and history, and graduated from the University of Zadar in 2006, with the graduation thesis The Galley Ware from the Ancient Harbour in Pakoštane. Since 2007 he was employed in the role of the junior researcher on the project directed by Prof. Zdenko Brusić, and since 2012 as the junior researcher on the project directed by the rector of the University of Zadar, Prof. Ante Uglešić. He entered the postgraduate study programme at the University of Zagreb in 2008, and in 2914 obtained his PhD, with the thesis entitled The Archaeological Evidence of Stone Quarrying in Dalmatia from Prehistory to the Medieval Period, focusing on the quarrying and maritime transport issues.Mate Parica is the author or co-author of 5 scientific and 4 professional papers.

During his studies and employment he participated to a number of archaeological fieldwork projects on land sites, like Podvršje – Glavčine, Starigrad, Dračevac – Crnovrilo, Nadin – tumulus, Sv. Nikola, Cvijina gradina, Rodaljice, Jazine – Lignum, Crkvina – Pakoštane and Vlakno Cave. He also participated to the following underwater research projects: Pakoštane – harbour, Pakoštane – saltpans, Resnik – harbour, Jablanac – harbour, Vranjic, Trogir – Kopilice, Kaštel-Sućurac – Trstenik, Caska, Novalja – Port, Cres, Martinšćica etc.