Preventive archaeology

The prescription of the preventive archaeology operation

Ministry of Culture services review development projects to determine if they may endanger archaeological remains. The development project is analysed:

• by the regional cultural affairs directorate (Drac, Regional Archaeology Service) if the work is in the terrestrial domain or inland waters;
• by the Department of Underwater and Underwater Research (Drassm) if the works are in the maritime public domain or the adjacent area.

The assessment of the “archaeological sensitivity” of a site is based on the documentation available in the State’s archaeological services, including national archaeological map.

To anticipate the risk of damage to the archaeological heritage associated with his project, the developer can consult the regional cultural affairs directorate (Drac, Regional Archaeology Service) or the Drassm before filing an application for a work authorization.

Both types of transactions

May be prescribed:

• an archaeological diagnosis, to ensure the presence of remains;
• a preventive search, to study identified archaeological remains.

Solutions can also be identified so that the development does not destroy the archaeological remains and thus avoid all or part of the excavation to preserve the existing remains. This is a change in the consistency of the project.

Excavations are subject to prior notification by the territorial commission for archaeological research competent (CTRA).

The archaeological diagnosis

What good is it?

An archaeological diagnosis is the set of documentary studies, surveys and soundings that confirm or deny the presence of remains on the area to be developed. When remains are identified, the diagnosis makes it possible to characterize them, to date them, to determine their right of way in plan and thickness as well as the impact of the development project on their conservation.

When and how is the prescription of a diagnosis established?

From the day of receipt of the application for authorization of work or the advance request for a diagnosis, the State has a period of one month to prescribe or not the realization of a diagnosis on the right of way of the project. This period shall be extended to two months where the development, work or work project is subject to an environmental impact assessment.

What is the framework of the relationship between the developer and the operator?

The procedures for carrying out a diagnosis prescribed by the State are defined in an agreement concluded between the developer and a archaeological service of territorial authority empowered by the Ministry of Culture to carry out diagnostics or National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap). The agreement defines in particular the start date of the operation and its time limits.

At sea, when a development impacts a large area (for example, a wind farm or the installation of electrical or telecommunication cables), developers can conclude with the Department of Underwater and Underwater Research (Drassm) a Marine Archaeological Assessment Convention.  This preliminary archaeological intervention is worth diagnosis. It takes place in two phases:

• geophysical exploration;
• in case of site index, additional expertise in immersion, human or robotic.

How is the archaeological diagnosis funded?

The Ministry of Culture provides a grant to operators which carry out the diagnostics: the archaeological services of the authorised local authorities and the Inrap.

What is the outcome of the diagnosis?

The diagnosis ends with a diagnostic report. It is written by the operator (an authorised local authority service or the Inrap) who transmits it to the Drac or the Drassm, and to the developer. After receiving the diagnostic report, the Drac or Drassm has three months to decide on the follow-up to the operation.

• If there are no remains, or if the remains uncovered do not warrant a study, or if the development project is not likely to destroy the archaeological remains, work may begin.
• If the development project has the effect of destroying the identified archaeological remains, the State may prescribe any measure permitting their preservation, either by carrying out a preventive excavation or by modifying the project.

If the destruction of the remains could be avoided by the implementation of technical solutions, the State shall establish a “Project Consistency Change Order” stating its recommendations. It passes it on to the planner and the departments in charge of town planning.

The preventive search

What good is it?

A preventive search operation is divided into:

• a search phase, known as the “field phase”;
• a “post-excavation” phase, that of analysis and study.

The objective of preventive excavation is to study a site by collecting archaeological information as finely as possible and to analyse it to ensure understanding. This is sometimes the only way to preserve the memory of the site that will have completely disappeared once the excavation and the development are done.

When and how is the prescription for a preventive search established?

A preventive excavation is prescribed when the archaeological diagnosis reveals the presence of remains, that the project is likely to destroy them, and that their scientific interest justifies it. The search order is transmitted to the developer within three months of receiving the diagnostic report. If the remains are discovered following the early realization of the diagnosis, the State sends the excavation prescription to the developer as soon as the mail confirming the continuation of the project.

What is the framework of the relationship between the developer and the operator?

The developer who plans to carry out the work is the contracting authority of the operation. He chooses the operator who will carry out the work among the operators approved or authorised by the Ministry of Culture and contracts with one of them. The contract must meet the requirements of the State. He must present the scientific project of the intervention of the operator to carry out the excavation of the site and the conditions of its implementation (prices, deadlines, etc.).

How is the preventive archaeology excavation financed?

The financing of excavations is based on the payment of the cost of the archaeological service by the developer. This price is fixed by contract with the operator. 

The developer can benefit from financial assistance from the National Fund for Preventive Archaeology (Fnap). Depending on the nature of the development project, the State may finance all or part of a preventive excavation operation through a takeover or a subsidy.

What happens after the search?

Once the “field phase” is complete, work can begin. A clearance certificate is sent to the developer upon receipt of the final search report. Then begins the analysis and study phase: the “post-excavation phase”. The remains recorded and collected are studied by various specialists.  

The “post-excavation phase” concludes with the preparation of an operation report that reports on the findings and their historical interpretation. The operator transmits this report to the Drac (Regional Archaeology Service) or the Drassm. A copy is given to the developer, the contracting authority for the operation.

The scientific data of the archaeology (remains and archaeological documentation constituted during the operation) are also given to the Drac (regional service of the archaeology) or the Drassm.

After the end of the preventive archaeology operation

After diagnosis or excavation, archaeological remains and documentation are kept in conservation and study centres (CEC). They will be inventoried, managed and made available to researchers for new studies and publications. They will also be valued by the public.