Sustainability in Archaeology

The lecture shows how the polluter-pays principle and legal regulatory instruments enable a sustainable and proportionate balance between heritage protection, property interests, scientific research and societal acceptance.

Using the SuedOstLink as a case study, the paper demonstrates how GIS-based analyses and archaeological surveys can identify conflict zones at an early stage, thereby integrating heritage protection, construction planning and sustainable route development.

From the perspective of a state archaeological heritage authority, the paper examines how archaeological data can be professionally and sustainably collected, documented, made accessible and archived when preservation of a monument in situ is not possible.

The paper presents Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) as a non-invasive and sustainable method for the high-resolution documentation of archaeological surfaces. Practical examples demonstrate how RTI supports condition assessment, damage analysis and interdisciplinary collaboration. It also discusses data management and archiving requirements for the long-term use of RTI.

The paper presents the CyberGlobe system, an automated, contactless photogrammetric workflow for the high-resolution 3D digitisation of small archaeological finds. Controlled capture conditions and automated processes produce reproducible, precise datasets while reducing processing time, costs and risks to sensitive objects. The resulting data also support advanced analysis, visualisation and interpretation, while enabling the scalable digitisation of large collections.

The paper presents Sweden’s Swedigarch infrastructure and the development of standardised, FAIR archaeological data structures. Using the Ostlänken excavations as a major test case, it explores open formats, controlled vocabularies and persistent identifiers to make archaeological data findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. It also discusses successful approaches and remaining challenges.

The paper addresses the conservation, documentation and storage challenges involved in the sustainable management of waterlogged organic finds such as bark, wood and fibres. Drawing on the Archaeobark project, it shows how limited resources, high energy demands and the fragility of these objects require careful selection, prioritisation and early documentation. It calls for sustainable yet practical approaches that balance conservation effort, research potential, object condition and available resources.

The presentation examines podcasts as a complementary format for sustainable science communication in archaeology. Their long-term value depends not only on digital availability, but also on discoverability, contextualisation and their role as a bridge between research, the public and the wider circulation of knowledge.

The paper demonstrates how archaeological discoveries in construction projects can be transformed from a perceived risk into cultural, social and economic value. Integrating archaeology visibly at the place of discovery can communicate history, enhance locations and strengthen regional identity. This requires early collaboration between archaeologists, developers, local authorities and planners.