Preventive Archaeology in Spain: 30 years of experience

In this presentation, we shall briefly describe the Spanish experience in relation to preventive archaeology. We shall begin by referring to the adoption and implementation of the founding document, the Valletta Treaty (1992), and to the State and regional legislation in Spain, bearing in mind that each region has its own regulatory system on this issue.

We shall examine the institutional framework of the management of archaeological heritage, as well as the context in which preventive archaeology is carried out. Furthermore, we shall explore the socio-economic structure of preventive archaeology in the professional sectors which have shaped it and carried it out over the past thirty years.

We shall also outline how preventive archaeology is organised in Spain, in spite of its regional differences, and how the assessment and monitoring of the impacts caused by projects, plans and programmes which modify the territory are managed.

We shall end with a critical analysis of the application of preventive archaeology, focusing on its benefits and advantages with regard to the previous model and stressing its problems and insufficiencies, as well as suggesting possible ways of making progress in this form of archaeology.

Preventive Archaeology. Spain. Archaeological Heritage Management. Archaeological Profession. Archaeological Impact Assessment. Archaeological Monitoring. Sustainability.