Understanding the impact of archaeological sites upon their immediate surroundings: a case study from Greece

#pubarchMED project, aimed at approaching the impact of archaeological sites in their immediate surroundings. A lot has been said about the potential of archaeological heritage for development, but we still lack ways to measure and evaluate it. In the frame of the project, during the Spring of 2019, we conducted a small study in Ancient Messene, Southern Peloponnese, Greece. Taking advantage of a training experience activity designed in collaboration with the University of the Peloponnese, we conducted a visitor study to address both the use of the site and its position in the region and the major tourist routes, combining interviews, visitor tracking and ethnographic work in the area. This article briefly shows the experience and its main results, focusing on the methodological approach to study impact. While the management of the site is efficient and the efforts of the Ephorate notable, results offer an insight over how to improve the experience for visitors and a sweet and sour conclusion about the actual impact of Ancient Messene.

Archaeology. Impact. Management. Visitor studies. PubarchMED.