This article presents preliminary results from a nationwide survey investigating the inclusion of archaeological heritage in Municipal Monuments Care Programs (MMCPs). The research addresses a significant knowledge deficiency regarding the extent to which archaeological assets are recognized and integrated into local development strategies. Although previous findings indicate that, despite the cultural and historical significance of archaeological heritage, its presence in municipal strategic documents is limited and often superficial, a lack of concrete data makes it impossible to conduct a knowledge-basedanalysis of the problem. The survey included questions about whether, and in which components of the MMCP, archaeological heritage was present, in order to determine how archaeological heritage is addressed at different stages of the planning process. The study reveals a pronounced gap between the formal recognition of archaeological heritage and its practical implementation in local policy. The results highlight the need for more comprehensive and participatory approaches to heritage management at the municipal level.

The article examines the subject of illegal archaeological exploration, excavation, and other earthworks or underwater works at an archaeological heritage site (Part 1 of Article 298 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) as a key element of a criminal offense. It is argued that the domestic model of subjectivity retains its personalistic nature: the subject is exclusively a sane natural person who has reached the age of criminal responsibility, while special measures of a criminal law nature are applied to legal entities (Section XIV-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The combination of the age criterion and sanity/ limited sanity as interdependent prerequisites for liability is analyzed; the role of forensic psychiatric and comprehensive forensic psychological and psychiatric examinations in establishing the legal criterion at the time of the commission of the act is revealed. The applied significance of individualizing the roles of participants (organizer, perpetrator, accomplice) in cases of illegal archaeological exploration, excavation, other earthworks or underwater works on an archaeological heritage site is established; the increased risks of involving minors are identified; the need to classify the act as a combination of offenses, in particular with the incrimination of Article 304 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine in the case of involvement of minors in illegal archaeological surveys, excavations, other earthworks or underwater works, has been substantiated. The problematic area of legislative regulation has been outlined: although the «general subject» is typical for the basic composition, there are widespread cases of committing an act using official position, which increases public danger but is not reflected in Part 1 of Article 298 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. It is proposed to extend the enhanced liability regime to Part 1 of Article 298 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine by specifying the «official» variant of the act, which will ensure the consistency of sanctions with the actual scale of damage and reduce competition with «universal» official compositions. Methodological guidelines have been formulated for proving the subjective characteristics of illegal archaeological surveys, excavations, and other earthworks or underwater works at archaeological heritage sites, which ensure a balance between the protection of archaeological heritage and the principles of fair criminal response.

The article addresses the inclusion of professional archaeology in the field of public representation and the evaluations of the mass audience. Based on the synthesis of sociological research results conducted by the authors from 2021 to the present (on a representative sample of 500 respondents - residents of the city of Chelyabinsk); as well as on the analysis of secondary data (a study of respondents from 9 countries conducted by the European partnership NEARCH), the work presents various aspects of the perception of archaeological knowledge and the archaeologist’s profession. The study also considers the specific case of subjective strategies for engaging various groups of tourist-visitors with the unique memorial landscape - the archaeological site of Arkaim (located in the Southern Urals). Conclusions are based on quantitative materials (a survey of 340 informants who visited the territory of the Arkaim museum-reserve) and qualitative data using the methodology of ethnographic approach (authors’ personal participation in field expeditions), including observation of visitors, unstructured interviews (40 informants), and landscape mapping. A separate research direction concerns the informational support of archaeological activities, which contributes to expanding the boundaries of archaeology (transforming into “public archaeology”). The study records a “gap” in the informational motivation of the Russian audience (desire to receive information about archaeological finds and discoveries), along with real strategies of information involvement in the media agenda. The analysis of the obtained responses highlights the key problem of the lack of accessible channels for the general public to obtain information about archaeological knowledge. Among the European audience, the authors note interest in informational and educational content representing archaeological themes (tourism, films and reports dedicated to archaeologists and their work), which is reflected in the high level of awareness of European respondents about archaeological attractions and monuments. A conclusion is drawn about the active involvement of the general public in the field of archaeology in various aspects of its exploration, expressed in the demand for symbolic interpretation of the past (involvement in historical memory), the dominance of alternative (“profane”) interpretations over scientific archaeological discourse. The negative consequences of archaeology emergence into the wider public space include the actualization of neo-pagan practices and movements. Overall, archaeological heritage is perceived and consolidated in the consciousness of the mass audience in the form of an “archaeological myth”.

In recent years, remote sensing technologies have become indispensable for the documentation, analysis, and virtual preservation of historical, architectural, and archaeological heritage. Advances in 3D scanning have enabled the precise digital recording of complex structures as large-scale point clouds, facilitating highly detailed virtual reconstructions. This study evaluates the capability of LiDAR-based Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) for documenting historical monument façades within a 3D environment and generating accurate visualisation models from registered, colourised point clouds. The integration of high-resolution RGB imagery, processed through Reality Capture 1.5 software, enables the automatic production of realistic 3D models that combine geometric accuracy with visual fidelity. Simultaneously, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), particularly cloud-based platforms like ArcGIS Pro Online, enhance spatial data management, mapping, and analysis. When combined with TLS, GIS is part of a broader remote sensing framework that improves heritage documentation regarding precision, speed, and interpretability. The digital survey of the Shanasheel house in Al-Basrah, Iraq, demonstrates the effectiveness of this interdisciplinary approach. These architecturally and culturally significant buildings, renowned for their intricately decorated wooden façades, were digitally recorded using CAD-based methods to support preservation and mitigation against urban and environmental threats. This interdisciplinary workflow demonstrates how remote sensing technologies can play a vital role in heritage conservation, enabling risk assessment, monitoring of urban encroachment, and the protection of endangered cultural landmarks for future generations.

A Bridge Between Geological, Mining and Archaeological Heritage: The Monreal Marble Quarry (Salamanca, Spain)

ABSTRACT The earliest documentation of hundreds of ancient settlements in South Asia, including some of the most famous and significant sites, lies in largely unacknowledged subaltern hands. Operating during the British colonial period, teams employed by the Survey of India systematically mapped the colonial dominions and produced high-quality maps that depicted topography and land use across vast areas. Systematic analysis of these map sheets combined with ground-truthing is demonstrating that these teams documented thousands of mound features, and a significant number of these are (or sadly in many cases were) archaeological sites. Members of the original survey teams were for the most part not in a position to contribute their thoughts to the historical narrative, but the legacy of what they documented has long been hidden in plain sight. The collaborative Mapping Archaeological Heritage in South Asia (MAHSA) project is systematically documenting this archaeological heritage. Its work is demonstrating that the teams carrying out the Survey of India topographic surveys incidentally conducted the first systematic survey of archaeological sites in South Asia. This was potentially the world’s most extensive (albeit incidental) archaeological survey.

ABSTRACT This study aims to conceptualize Archaeological-Gastronomy Tourism as a co-creative tourism product which combines the exploration of archaeological heritage with culinary experiences. In particular, we draw upon the ‘From Prehistory to the Plate’ (PreHGastro) project developed in Cantabria (Spain), a region with several UNESCO-recognized Paleolithic caves and a strong culinary tradition. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative cluster analysis with qualitative insights from focus groups with industry experts. The segmentation of tourists based on their attractiveness to and engagement with Archaeological-Gastronomy Tourism shows that it appeals particularly to younger and middle-aged tourists, contrary to its previously perceived niche status. The study highlights the importance of offering a diverse range of experiences that cater to various demographic segments. It also emphasizes the need for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure sustainability and cultural preservation. The research extends beyond traditional heritage tourism and provides fresh insights into how this form of tourism can engage diverse audiences while ensuring sustainable practices.

Abstract Climate change, urban expansion, and agricultural intensification are increasingly threatening the Netherlands’ in situ archaeological heritage, necessitating the use of advanced methodologies for effective detection, mapping, characterizing, and monitoring of archaeological sites. Over the past decade, significant advancements in sensor technologies for remote sensing and geophysics have emerged that offer more effective, noninvasive solutions in both terrestrial and maritime contexts. Despite their potential, the application and integration of these techniques in Dutch archaeological heritage management remain limited. The ARCfieldLAB project, launched in September 2022 as part of the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science, aims to bridge this gap. Its aims are to create a digital platform to disseminate knowledge on innovative sensor technologies, establish a network of archaeological practitioners and sensor specialists, and support multisensor case studies. It has generated strong enthusiasm for this initiative and for cross-disciplinary collaborations on national and international scales. Key challenges include the need for integration into the official Dutch archaeology quality standard protocols and the requirement of metadata standards and data archiving guidelines. Addressing these issues will require continuous investment and a long-term commitment but will have a significant positive impact on the effectiveness and quality of Dutch archaeological fieldwork.

ABSTRACT The first regional film commissions were established in Italy in 2007, which resulted in the decentralization of film production away from Rome on a national scale. Within this context, Apulia became an increasingly popular filming location, due to its rich archaeological heritage and striking natural beauty. This rise in visibility promoted a tourist-oriented image of the region. As Italian and foreign film producers flocked to Apulia, the Apulia Film Commission adopted an approach that gradually bolstered the presence of local directors, enabling them to build a more authentic and complex image of the region. With Apulia becoming a focal point, local filmmakers sought to reveal and foreground important facets of Apulian space, long regarded as a cultural crossroads. This paper aims to show how space, environment, and landscape serve as structural narrative elements in Apulian cinema. To achieve such an objective, two films will be analysed: Edoardo Ponti’s La vita davanti a sé (‘The Life Ahead’, 2020) and Pippo Mezzapesa’s Ti mangio il cuore (‘Burning Hearts’, 2022). Although these films explore different narrative trajectories, they both exemplify the main approaches to production within the Apulian film industry, embodying its local and international dimensions.

Over the last couple of decades, the search for the ways to increase the influence of archaeology in society and to create better conditions for archaeological research in Serbia, has primarily been concentrated in the domain of heritage. Therefore, the paper focuses upon the relationship of archaeology in Serbia towards heritage, the processes of its production, and the attempts of archaeologists to secure the role of the most powerful actor in the heritage discourse. The starting point is the long-existing, but still important question, reconsidering the traditional approaches: what constitutes archaeological heritage? Undoubtedly, archaeological remains, archaeological evidence, or archaeological record, all bear basic information on the past activities. But, does every deposit and every record, every find, constitute archaeological heritage at the same time? Archaeological heritage may be understood as material culture of past societies preserved in the present, but also as a social construct resulting from the processes of evaluation and reuse in the present. The paper affirms the constructivist approach: archaeological finds are not archaeological heritage intrinsically. The stance of critical realism is also advocated for the future development of heritage studies and heritage theory.

This article briefly analyzes the views on terrestrial and submerged cultural heritage since the Renaissance. It argues that while the Renaissance interest in antiquities on land gradually fostered the notion of cultural heritage, submerged artifacts remained stigmatized as “treasures,” a view that contributed to their late recognition as archaeological heritage. Taking the case of Lake Nemi as a starting point, the article demonstrates how these early incursions, although foreshadowing practices of nautical archaeology, were more closely tied to a long tradition of salvage operations with utilitarian and commercial purposes. The research highlights the fundamental dichotomy that emerged: terrestrial heritage from then on was gradually valued, eventually becoming associated with cultural identity and nation-building, whereas underwater heritage, enveloped in a mystique of rescue and adventure, was primarily valued for its pecuniary worth. It concludes that this historical disparity in perception is the fundamental reason why underwater cultural heritage took centuries longer to be formally recognized and protected in comparison to terrestrial heritage.

Abstract. The SUNRISE Summer School (Seashore and UNderwater documentation of aRchaeological herItage palimpSests and Environment) has reached its second edition. The school was co-organised by the Politecnico di Torino and the Italian Society of Photogrammetry and Topography (SIFET) and supported by the International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), CIPA HD and several other Italian institutions. The second edition of the summer school took place in the municipality of Porto Cesareo (LE - Italy) from September 8 to 14, 2024, and involved 24 students – architects, engineers, archaeologists, and marine ecologists from Europe, the United States, Latin America, and Asia. The school started from the experience built in the first edition, and throughout the entire duration of the event, the students were guided by 23 tutors, ensuring an almost one-to-one student-tutor ratio. The school offered theoretical activities with lectures and fieldwork, applying a learning-by-doing teaching approach. Two sites were the focus of the fieldwork: Torre Chianca (a 16th-century defensive building) and the Roman marble columns (a submerged archaeological site). Both sites are part of the protected marine area of Porto Cesareo. Field data collection was supported by representatives from various companies: Images, Microgeo, Stonex, Pix4D, Geomax, Leica, Dynatech, and 3DTarget (the companies were also sponsors of the initiative), who demonstrated the latest technologies for integrated multi-sensor surveying of cultural heritage, such as drones, terrestrial and aerial laser scanners, and mobile mapping systems.

Unveiling history: An innovative approach to the dissemination of archaeological heritage

This article presents the results of archaeological research conducted in the Uvolsoy area, located on the northern slopes of the Molguzar mountain range. The main focus of the study was on archaeological surveys and the registration of newly identified sites. During fieldwork, ancient settlements, cemeteries, and material culture remains from various periods were documented and given preliminary descriptions. These findings provide a valuable basis for understanding the historical and geographical significance of the region, as well as for studying the lifestyle, economy, and culture of ancient populations. The identification of new archaeological sites has enriched the archaeological map of the Molguzar foothills and created an important source for further comprehensive research. The outcomes of this study also contribute to future in-depth analyses of the socio-economic and cultural history of the region and play a key role in the preservation of archaeological heritage.

Landowner perspectives on conserving Indigenous archaeological heritage on private property, Xwe'etay/Lasqueti Island, British Columbia

As part of interdisciplinary research aimed at the comprehensive study of the cultural landscapes of little-studied micro-regions in the Almaty Region, archaeological field surveys were conducted in 2024 in the territory of the Jetijol Ridge. The primary objective of the fieldwork was the identification and documentation of new archaeological heritage sites, primarily rock art monuments, in areas that had not previously been covered by systematic research. The field stage involved the collection of archaeological data in situ for the purposes of preliminary analysis and interpretation, as well as comparison of the newly obtained materials with previously documented data from the sites of Akterek, Basbatyr, and Tospaly. Special attention was given to the identification and localization of new rock art sites and complexes situated in the valleys and gorges of the ridge that had not been studied before. The survey covered extensive areas, including detailed inspections of the northern slope gorges, selective examinations of the southern slopes and mid-mountain plateaus, as well as peripheral zones. As a result of the work, the rock art database of Jetijol was significantly expanded: the number of known sites increased from three to fourteen, and the total number of recorded petroglyphs grew from 4,700 to 7,300 images.

We present the results of a Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey conducted at the archaeological site of Bisya and Salūt (Sultanate of Oman), aimed at assessing archaeological risk associated with the planned infrastructural development of the site. The survey employed a dual-frequency GPR system with a survey rugged cart to adapt to the varying conditions of the area. The survey was designed around a scale-adaptive grid strategy, across three sectors, combining medium- and low-definition acquisitions over broader areas to identify zones with low archaeological potential, with a high-density grid near previously excavated structures. Data interpretation was integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS)-based spatial mapping, allowing the definition of a parametric risk indicator for subsurface archaeological potential derived from radar facies characterisation and point-by-point anomaly analysis along GPR profiles. Within the area of higher density, the method successfully mapped buried alignments suggestive of anthropogenic features. The results confirmed the effectiveness of GPR as a predictive tool for archaeological prospection, particularly when combined with spatial analysis. Overall, this study highlights the feasibility of incorporating non-invasive methods into heritage protection strategies, contributing to the sustainable development and planning of archaeological landscapes.

ABSTRACT The sustainable management of archaeological heritage is increasingly confronted by complex challenges stemming from environmental pressures, accelerated development, and governance shortcomings. Failaka Island, located off the coast of Kuwait and home to over four millennia of continuous settlement, exemplifies these tensions. Despite the island’s cultural and natural significance, conservation efforts have been impeded by fragmented governance structures, overlapping institutional mandates, and weak stakeholder coordination. This paper examines how governance gaps and policy limitations have constrained the development of an integrated heritage management framework for Failaka Island. Drawing on thematic analysis of stakeholder interviews, policy documents, media reporting, and public discourse, the study identifies key barriers to effective heritage governance, including institutional disconnects, competing development agendas, and the exclusion of non-governmental professionals, civil society, and local communities from decision-making. These limitations have compounded conservation challenges posed by climate change and large-scale tourism expansion under Kuwait Vision 2035. The paper argues for a shift towards an adaptive, risk-informed, and participatory model of heritage governance – one that harmonises stakeholder efforts and integrates conservation into broader development and environmental strategies. The findings contribute to wider debates on sustainable heritage governance and offer relevant lessons for other Gulf states and international contexts facing similar structural constraints.

This article examines how the rise in sea levels increases the vulnerability of archaeological heritage in Brazil, especially in coastal areas where burial sites, sacred landscapes, and memory spaces of Indigenous peoples, traditional communities, and Afro-descendant populations are concentrated. It is argued that the worsening consequences of climate change, combined with a pre-existing scenario of historical neglect, institutional fragility, and unequal distribution of resources, pressures Brazilian authorities to choose between saving or sacrificing certain sites and heritage assets. In view of the persistence of a selective heritage management model that privileges colonial assets and monumental buildings, in the choice between what is preserved and what is allowed to disappear, the sacrifice of cultural expressions and historical records of historically marginalized groups appears to be the most probable outcome. In light of the Final Report on Sea-Level Rise (2025) of the United Nations International Law Commission, it is argued that without a revision of priorities, the adoption of adaptation policies, and the strengthening of legal protection, Brazil runs the risk of violating international commitments and perpetuating historical inequalities. It is concluded that the race to save or sacrifice cultural heritage requires immediate decisions consistent with the principles of climate justice, cultural equity, and intergenerational responsibility.

The article is devoted to the study of the current problem of the lack of a legislative definition of the term “urban planning transformations” in the context of legal regulation of urban planning transformations in the territories of cultural heritage sites. The author notes that the terminological apparatus of legal regulation of urban planning transformations in the territories of cultural heritage sites is actually unexplored. In the course of the study, the author carried out a comprehensive analysis of the current regulatory framework. The article analyzes the provisions of the laws of Ukraine “On the Fundamentals of Urban Planning”, “On Regulation of Urban Planning Activities”, “On Architectural Activities”, “On Protection of Cultural Heritage” and “On Protection of Archaeological Heritage”. The author found out that the mentioned laws do not contain a definition of the term “urban planning transformations” either of a generalized nature or in the context of legal regulation of urban planning transformations in the territories of cultural heritage sites. The article notes that legislative acts in the field of urban planning contain definitions of the basic terms “urban planning (urban planning activity)” and “construction”, but the term “urban planning transformations” is not used at all in their text. At the same time, the author establishes that legislative acts in the field of cultural heritage protection provide for specific powers of cultural heritage protection bodies in the field of urban planning transformations on the territories of cultural heritage sites. The article indicates that there is a legislative gap in the relevant legal regulation. The author notes that the implementation of the definition of the term “urban planning transformations” at the level of subordinate legislative and regulatory legal acts is a forced step of the relevant state authorities aimed at filling the legislative gap in legal regulation. The article emphasizes the urgent need to consolidate the term «urban planning transformations» at the legislative level in order to eliminate the gap in the legal regulation of urban planning transformations in the territories of cultural heritage sites.