Programmed archaeology
When an archaeological operation is motivated by specific scientific research objectives and carried out on archaeological sites allowing a long-term study, it is part of the planned archaeology. On average, 1,000 scheduled archaeology operations, including 250 digs, are authorized each year.
Implementation of planned archaeology operations
The planned archaeology operation can take the form of a excavation, a survey, a prospection, a collective research project… An authorization issued by the State is essential, as is that of the owner of the land concerned.
For land operations and for operations in rivers, lakes or inland waters, the authorization shall be issued by the regional cultural affairs directorate (the Drac) after territorial commission for archaeological research (CTRA) on the research project presented. For the excavations at sea, it is issued, also after the opinion of the CTRA, by the Department of Underwater and Underwater Research (the Drassm) which is a service of the Ministry of Culture.
The authorization shall be granted to the person responsible for the operation, having regard to the research project, his competence, the composition of his team and the opinion of the Territorial Commission for Archaeological Research. It indicates the location of the excavation, its surface and its duration. It also sets out the scientific requirements to be met.
The site can accommodate volunteers, students, interns or amateurs. The Ministry of Culture keeps the list of excavation sites looking for volunteers.
Planned archaeology operations may be funded by the Ministry of Culture, after assessment of the scientific quality of the project and the skills of the applicant and his team by the Territorial Commission for Archaeological Research.
The search report
Whether its research is annual or multi-year, the responsible of operation makes a report every year to the Drac or the Drassm, who have it evaluated by the territorial commission of archaeological research. The report is an administrative, scientific and heritage document that presents the results of an archaeological operation and marks its annual completion.