Definition of The Archaeological Heritage
In Article 1 of the revised Convention archaeological heritage is defined. The article aims to emphasize the importance of both protection and scientific investigation of archaeological heritage as “a source of the European collective memory”.
Considering the ICOMOS Charter for the Protection and Management of the Archaeological Heritage 1990, “archaeological knowledge is based principally on the scientific investigation of the archaeological heritage”. Consequentially, destructive as well as non-destructive scientific methods can be carried out with the provision that an excavation is seen as an ultima ratio to gain knowledge about the archeological heritage of Europe.
An element of archaeological heritage is given if there is any trace of human existence of the past displaying an interaction with the natural environment and enhancing our knowledge of the history of human kind, which was discovered by archaeological techniques. Therefore, not only artifacts of an archaeological site are of value but “all remains and objects and any other traces of mankind”. Furthermore, the article gives examples of elements that are included in its concept of archaeological heritage:
- Immovable objects: Structures, walls, groups of buildings, sites, monuments, burials etc.
- Movable objects: Sculptures, artifacts, etc.
- The context (land or sea)
Read more about this topic: Valletta Treaty
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