Archaeological Coastal Heritage: Past, present and future of a hidden prehistoric legacy

DN ArCHe trains 10 PhD fellows for increasing the scientific and public value of Europe’s archaeological coastal heritage, focusing on the legacy of Stone Age hunter-fisher-gatherers.

Including some of the earliest remains of human activity, this legacy is crucial for understanding human engagement with the coast. Yet it is fragile and highly heterogeneous, with diverse material and cultural expressions.

It is embedded in a variety of geographic settings across Europe differing in environmental development, which face massive environmental and human threats.

It is also approached in various ways in cultural heritage management with little systematic integration of knowledge on the topic.

DN ArCHe deals with the challenges of this fractured field with an innovative past-present-future approach which focuses on connecting the legacy from the past, its present status as archaeological heritage and prospects for its future protection and integration.

With six beneficiaries and nine associated partners, ArCHe unites academic research centres and non-academic organizations (cultural heritage sector, specialist organisations, museums, media).

As a joint platform for research and training, it leverages on customized PhD projects, cross-fertilization of knowledge among researchers and partners, scientific courses, workshops, conferences, applied secondments and transferable skills training.

Training in archaeology, anthropology, critical heritage studies, heritage management, bioarchaeology, geology, oceanography, coastal engineering/preservation and communication relevant to coastal heritage and environment, equips ArCHe PhDs with advanced interdisciplinary and cross-regional knowledge and skills applicable to various academic and non-academic fields across Europe.

Through best practices, they will contribute to the visibility, preservation and sustainable integration of the vulnerable cultural heritage in coastal areas facing global environmental and development challenges.