ZPPA (Archaeological Prescription Presumption Zones)
Throughout the national territory, the Heritage Code provides that certain categories of work and development are the subject of a systematic and mandatory transmission to the prefect of region in order that he assesses the risks of damage to the archaeological heritage and that he issues, where applicable, diagnostic or search requirements. The categories of work concerned are: Concerted Development Areas (CAZ) and subdivisions affecting an area of more than 3 ha, development subject to impact studies, certain scour works subject to prior declaration and works on buildings classified under the Historical Monuments (book V, article R. 523-4).
The Heritage Code also provides for the possibility of establishing, common by commune, areas in which special provisions, specific to each of them and specified in a prefectural decree, apply. These so-called "presumptive archaeological prescription" zones complete the general device by refining it. In these areas, the prefect of the region is compulsorily seized: - either of all the permits to build, to develop, to demolish, as well as the decisions of realization of zone of concerted development, - of these same dossiers "where the right-of-way exceeds a threshold defined by the zoning by-law".
An archaeological prescription presumptive zone is not an urban servitude. It allows the State, as in the general scheme, to take into account by a scientific study or possible conservationarchaeological heritage affected or likely to be affected by public or private works contributing to the development". Consequently, the State may, within the time limits set by law, formulate, in an order, a prescription of archaeological diagnosis, archaeological excavation or indication of modification of the consistency of the project. This decision will be taken by ensuringreconciling the respective requirements of scientific research, heritage conservation and economic and social development ".
The Heritage Code also provides that any person planning to carry out development may, before submitting an application for authorisation, refer the matter to the regional prefect for consideration as to whether the project is likely to give rise to archaeological requirements (Book V, Article L. 522-4).
Delineation of presumptive archaeological prescription areas
The delineation of presumptive archaeological prescription areas is based on a compilation of data from the archaeological map. This is based on a diachronic approach (from ancient prehistory to modern times) and with the collaboration of regional research stakeholders (INRAP, CNRS, universities, community services, voluntary associations). Information collected from surveys or excavations is mapped to the scale of the IGN map at 1/25,000 or the cadastre. The zones of presumption of archaeological prescription take into account the orientations of the national programming established by the National Council of the archaeological research, the current state of knowledge, the regional programming and are "determined by order of the regional prefect after the opinion of the Interregional Commission for Archaeological Research". From this point of view, presumptive archaeological prescription zones can integrate areas of the territory considered to have high archaeological potential even if for the moment no vestige is proven. Finally, the delimitation of the zones of presumption of archaeological prescription may, for reasons of consistency, be based on other procedures which also contribute to the protection of heritage and sites (ZPPAUP, AVAP, safeguarded areas, sites classified or listed as historic monuments, etc.)
Implementation and procedure
The decrees are transmitted to the prefects of departments and published in the Collection of Administrative Acts. They are also notified to the municipalities concerned.
The refinement of the general device is progressing continuously: new communes are under study and will soon be the subject of a prefectoral decree; in the same way, zones of presumption of archaeological prescription already established are likely to be modified, in support of new discoveries and research results; the drafting of a new prefectoral decree is then necessary.
Geographical data relating to the presumed archaeological prescription areas of the region can be viewed and downloaded from the DRAC website