Archaeological zoning

What is an Archaeological Prescription Presumption Area (APZ)?

Presumptive Archaeological Prescription Zones (ZPPA) are zones in which development work subject to planning authorization (building permits, development permits, demolition permits) and cooperative development zones (CAZ) of less than three hectares are presumed to be the subject of preventive archaeology prescriptions before their realization.

The ZPPA are not a planning easement but they appear in the knowledge carried out by the State services for the design of the planning documents of the territory (PLU, SCOT).

 What is the role of archaeological zoning?

Presumptive Archaeological Prescription Zones are an information tool for the public and, for the DAR, a recruitment tool for development files.

Presumptive archaeological prescription zones are used to alert planners to sensitive archaeological zones in the territory and which are presumed to be the subject of preventive archaeological prescriptions in the event of development work of less than three hectares.

They also have the role of broadening the recruitment base for CAD development files. Only a limited number of files defined by the heritage code according to the criteria of area and depth of development, is automatically sent to the DAC for instruction in preventive archaeology.
In areas of presumption of archaeological prescription, the development surface threshold that defines the referral of the CAR may be reduced.
As a result, in these areas, more development files are forwarded to the DAR.

 Who decides to set up archaeological zones?

It is the DAC that defines the number and location of presumptive archaeological prescription areas to be established in the regional territory.
The DAR also defines the development surface threshold from which a work file must be sent to the DAR. These decisions are taken after consulting the Territorial Commission for Archaeological Research (CTRA).

 On what criteria are zoning established?

Four criteria were selected. Presumptive areas of archaeological prescription are established when:

♦ an archaeological entity is attested and recorded in the national archaeological map;

♦ the conservation potential of the archaeological signal is strong, the sedimentary context is particularly conducive to the conservation of remains;

♦ sitology favours human implantation (spur, island...);

♦ the territory concerned is part of a scientific study problem.

Is the list of presumptive archaeological prescription zones final?

Presumptive archaeological prescription zones are likely to be revised individually, in part or in whole, in support of new discoveries, without any obligation of periodicity.

 Where are the orders of presumed archaeological prescription zones available for consultation?

The presumptive archaeological prescription zones can be consulted online on the DAC website.

The decrees of zones of presumption of archaeological prescription are kept at the disposal of the public in prefectures and town halls:

- Order no. 08601981 defining the scope of the regulation on preventive archaeology for the municipality of SAINT-PIERRE

- Decree no. 2014183-0008 DALI/PC of 2 July 2014 defining zones of presumption of prescription of preventive archaeology in the municipality of TROIS-ILETS

- Decree no. 2015-97209-ZPPA of 16 December 2015 defining zones of presumption of prescription of preventive archaeology on the city of FORT-DE-FRANCE

- Decree no. 2016-97234-ZPPA of 08 September 2016 defining zones of presumption of prescription of preventive archaeology in the territory of the municipality of BELLEFONTAINE

- Decree no. 2017-97202-ZPPA of 12 July 2017 defining zones of presumption of prescription of preventive archaeology in the territory of the municipality of Les ANSES D'ARLET
 
- Article L 522-5 of the French Heritage Code