The problem

Archeological site managers must reconcile research, preservation, and cultural tourism objectives. To help achieve this, there is an urgent need for better dissemination of information concerning the latest environmental technologies, and best practice in conservation, restoration, and the display of objects and information to the public. This can be achieved through a coordinated and multidisciplinary approach that establishes strategies for the study, conservation and presentation of European cultural heritage.

Overview:

ARCHAIA will establish an innovative framework for the planning and management of archaeological parks, from initial field research to the presentation of information.

The project will:

• Implement two training seminars focusing on innovations in five areas: topography and landscape archaeology; restoration; material culture; anthropology and the environment; and data processing and presentation
• Integrate human and natural sciences to produce guidelines for coherent management strategies that unite conservation and cultural tourism requirements
• Deliver the ARCHAIA toolbox, based on a synthesis of the scientific state of the art

Contribution to policy development:

• ARCHAIA will create a multifaceted research-based policy toolbox for the conservation and management of archaeological sites
• Common methodology and checklist for establishing archaeological parks
• Report on environmental policy-driven results with recommendations and guidelines

Project deliverables

• Copenhagen seminar (moveable cultural goods and bio-archaeology) – February 2008
• Bologna seminar (topography, landscape archaeology and monument conservation) – July 2008
• ARCHAIA seminars handbook – September 2008
• ARCHAIA toolbox on CD-ROM and on website – August 2008
• Theme report on environmental policy-driven results, containing recommendations and guidelines for archaeological site management – August 2008

Dissemination

• Project website – May 2007
• ARCHAIA seminars handbook – September 2008
• Guidelines on website  – August 2008

Technical information

Project acronym: ARCHAIA
Project’s official full title: Training Seminars on Research Planning, Conservation, Characterisation and Management in Archaeological Sites
Research priority: The protection of cultural heritage and associated conservation strategies
Specific webpage: www.archaia.eu
Proposal/contract no: 044365
Start date: 1 February 2007
Kick off meeting: February 2007
Completion date: 31 July 2008
European Commission scientific officer: Michel Chapuis, Michel.Chapuis@ec.europa.eu and Adele Lydon, Adele.Lydon@ec.europa.eu

Coordinator:
Name: University of Bologna
Abbreviated name: UNIBO
Address: Piazza San Giovanni in Monte
2 40124 Bologna
Country: Italy
Tel: (051) 2097711
Fax: (051) 2097802
Website: http://www.archeologia.unibo.it/

Partners

Name: University of Copenhagen
Abbreviated name: KU
Country: Denmark         

Name: University of Zadar
Abbreviated name: UNIZD
Country: Croatia