The international conference ArcheoSite. The Present of Archaeology. Protection, Management and Enhancement of Archaeological Sites in Europe and the Mediterranean, organised by the Colosseum Archaeological Park and the Department for the Enhancement of Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture, will bring together institutions, scholars, directors of archaeological parks and professionals in the field for an international discussion on the main challenges facing contemporary archaeology.
In a context marked by profound social, environmental and economic transformations, the conference, curated by Alfonsina Russo (Head of the Department for the Enhancement of Cultural Heritage), Simone Quilici (Director of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo), Francesca Boldrighini and Astrid D’Eredità (archaeologists at the Parco archeologico del Colosseo), aims to reflect on the current role of archaeological sites as places of research, protection and memory, but also as living spaces capable of dialoguing with communities and contributing to the cultural and sustainable development of territories. Through case studies from Italy, Europe and the Mediterranean area, it offers a detailed analysis of protection, restoration and monitoring practices, management and governance models, ticketing and fundraising strategies, as well as communication, public engagement and audience development issues.
The programme, spread over three days and several thematic sessions, alternates keynote speeches, specialist presentations, discussions and special visits (to the Crypta Balbi construction site – National Roman Museum and the new Metro C Colosseo – Fori Imperiali station), offering a broad and up-to-date overview of the policies and tools implemented for the preservation and enhancement of archaeological heritage. Particular attention is paid to the dialogue between established experiences and innovative approaches, as well as to the comparison between contexts that differ in scale, history and management complexity.
Alongside the plenary and thematic sessions, the ArcheoSite conference dedicates a specific space to the poster session, designed as a place for open and dynamic discussion between research experiences, ongoing projects and good practices in the field of archaeology, heritage protection and enhancement. The posters offer a broad and detailed overview of studies, interventions and experiments, promoting dialogue between institutions, universities, professionals and young researchers. The poster section, curated by Giulia Giovanetti, archaeologist at the Colosseum Archaeological Park, is an important opportunity for visibility and sharing, broadening the conference debate and strengthening its participatory and interdisciplinary dimension.
The first day will be held in the Sala Spadolini of the Collegio Romano complex, headquarters of the Ministry of Culture. The second and third days are scheduled to take place at the Curia Iulia in the Roman Forum, Colosseum Archaeological Park.
The conference will be broadcast live on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/parcocolosseo and on the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/parcocolosseo.
