Trailer JEA 2024
The Archaeology Days event across Europe:
Since 2010, the French Ministry of Culture has entrusted the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) with the co-ordination and promotion of France’s National Archaeology Days (JNA).
During these Archaeology Days, all those involved in archaeology mobilise to introduce the public to the treasures of their national heritage and the secrets of the profession. Archaeological excavation operators, research organisations, universities, museums and archaeological sites, laboratories, associations, archives and local authorities are all encouraged to organise innovative, original and interactive activities for the general public.
In 2019, the JNA expanded to all of Europe. For the first enlarged event, seventeen countries participated.
In 2020, France’s National Archaeology Days became the European Archaeology Days (EAD).
With more than 1,400 initiatives in Europe and 26 European countries participating, the 2021 European Archaeological Days were a hit! Europe’s countries came out in full force once again for the event, offering more than 830 initiatives, and guaranteeing the days’ success. More than 570 events were held across France. Throughout these three days, the public had the opportunity to take in an abundant programme offered by all those who make archaeology today.
With over 1,500 initiatives in Europe and the participation of 30 European countries, the EAD 2022 took the momentum even further. More than 630 events took place all across France: excavation sites exceptionally open to the public, educational and fun activities, archaeology villages, meetings with researchers, visits to laboratories, exhibitions, projections, etc. 13 Archaeology Villages in large cities were also offered fun and festive activities for all audiences.
Video: an introduction to ceramology workshop for schoolchildren; children dig up ceramic shards that need to be reassembled in order to discover an object.
National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap):
Created by the 2001 law on preventive archaeology, the National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) is the only competent public operator allowed to work throughout the country and across all periods, from Prehistory to the present day.
With thirty years of experience, they are involved on all types of sites: urban, rural, underwater, major transport and energy projects (roads, railways lines, etc.). Its role is to safeguard elements of France’s archaeological heritage affected by infrastructural development by studying them.
As a national research institute, it carries out some 1,800 archaeological surveys and 250 excavations each year in partnership with private and public developers in mainland France and overseas. At the end of the work, Inrap is responsible for the use and dissemination of the results among the scientific community: more than 350 of its researchers collaborate with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and universities.
The Institute contributes to the development of archaeological knowledge, in conjunction with these institutions. By virtue of the large number of researchers it employs, the scope of its activities and the volume of data collected, it plays a leading role in many fields, particularly those in which preventive archaeology has had a profound impact on knowledge: the archaeology of settlements and population movements, the study of regions covered as a whole, the archaeology of human settlement within the natural environment, the study of economic flows, etc.
The missions of Inrap extend to the dissemination of archaeological knowledge to the public. As such, it organises numerous promotional operations, most often in collaboration with developers: opening of sites to the public, exhibitions, publications, audiovisual content, conferences, etc.