STACHEM

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The Eastern Mediterranean is one of the world’s richest areas in terms of archaeological remains, and cultural heritage in general; it has yielded an extraordinary variety of finds spanning all aspects of human activity. However, due to the scarcity of scientific and technological resources in the region, the analysis of these finds has occurred largely in research institutions far removed from the region. Therefore, there is a pressing need to make adequate resources available in the immediate proximity of the excavations and remains themselves, and also to properly document the cultural heritage of this key region. The partners of this proposal wish to initiate a coordinated effort for the build-up of the relevant research infrastructures, and the pooling and coordination of the associated resources, in order to contribute to a regional strategic plan for the Eastern Mediterranean archaeological sciences and digital heritage community. This will be achieved in parallel with the design and planning process of the Cyprus Institute’s newly created Science and Technology for Archaeology Research Center, which is planning major investments in infrastructures for archaeometry, underwater archaeology and digital cultural heritage. The project will ensure that the development of this new Center is embedded in a strategy closely adapted to the regional needs and integrated in the Euro-Mediterranean environment of archaeological sciences and digital heritage. In addition to a coherent strategic plan, the outcomes of the project will include suggestions for joint trans-national activities, a user-led assessment of needs, guidelines for good practices and directions for further infrastructure development. It will contribute to the incubation of a regional research cluster in the field of archaeology and cultural heritage, and to the build-up of the associated community of researchers, with periodic workshops for continuous monitoring and update.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

The eastern Mediterranean region is littered with archaeological sites dating from Greek and Roman times. But the diversity of this cultural hoard poses challenges. Scientific analysis of finds, documentation, preservation, and communication services lack a regional strategy.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

While there are excellent research centres in the region providing material on archaeological finds, coordination and policies are lacking. This has a knock-on effect such as duplication of effort and a general lack of data interoperability. It leads to missed opportunities between research institutions.

Additionally, there is a general lack of infrastructure to support archaeological work in the region. Digital libraries, laboratories and multimedia communication centres are fragmented, meaning archaeological post-processing often has to be done in other centres.

The 'Science and technology for archaeology and cultural heritage in the eastern Mediterranean' (Stachem) project was launched in 2008 to support The Cyprus Institute's Science and Technology for Archaeology Research Centre (STARC). Stachem - made up of eight project partners - aimed to contribute to a regional strategic plan for research infrastructures in archaeology and digital heritage in the eastern Mediterranean.

Stachem grouped together regional players with expertise in archaeological sciences, marine-related techniques, and digital heritage. To build up a regional cluster of experts, the project explored the needs and requirements in the region. It proposed joint trans-national activities between actors in the region through numerous workshops.

Apart from the obvious benefits at the European and regional levels, the project had an impact in the long- and medium-term strategies of the various national institutions involved in the project.

As a result of the research cluster Stachem produced, cooperation between institutions in the region and other European and international bodies has received a boost thanks to greater outreach.

The implementation of Stachem will have an enduring impact in the region, as STARC has been designed to provide a lasting regional strategic plan, which was an essential objective of the project.