CHANGE OF PARADIGMS IN AUSTRIA´S HERITAGE MANAGEMENT
Channel: European Association of Archaeologists
Date: 2020-11-23

Just in 2015 (!) the state of Austria ratified the Charters of Valetta and as well the Charter of Faro. This does not mean a paradigmatic change in heritage policy because changes have already taken place in the last 20 years. A paradigmatic change was the decision about 10 years ago to publish all protected areas and all archaeological reserves (archaeological zones , Fundhoffungsgebiete) in a public gis – system. The claim of the Valetta convention for integrated preservation of archaeological heritage and its integration in developement plans was implemented as well (at least on the paper…) Because the building authority in Austria is at the regional (Gemeinde) level and heritage management at the state (unmittelbare Bundesverwaltung) these do not work always in harmony... (Austria is a federal state – the responsibility for heritage management lies at the state; but again and again discussions are going, wether it should be handed over to the federal states). As nearer to the regional level one approaches, the more important is work, that is done by regional museums, registered associations as well as private companies. For those, one of the most important goals is to rise public Awareness für protection of archaeological heritage. The challenge is to combine scientific goals (research), preservation (mainly by non-destructive methods), and the demand of local authorities – who want to leave something visible, for „touristic“ needs. In the paper I will try to discuss the existingsystem and the systemic difficulties for NGOs to combine these sometimes contradictory targets.


Author(s): Schrettle, Bernhard (Archäologisch-Soziale Initiative Steiermark; University Graz)