Preamble The archaeological heritage, as defined in Article 1 of the 1992 European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage , is the heritage of all humankind.
Archaeology is the study and interpretation of that heritage for the benefit of society as a whole.
Archaeologists are the interpreters and stewards of that heritage on behalf of their fellow men and women. The object of this Code is to establish standards of conduct for the members of the European Association of Archaeologists to follow in fulfilling their responsibilities, both to the community and to their professional colleagues. It is the duty of every archaeologist to ensure the preservation of the archaeological heritage by every legal means. In achieving that end archaeologists will take active steps to inform the general public at all levels of the objectives and methods of archaeology in general and of individual projects in particular, using all the communication techniques at their disposal. Where preservation is impossible, archaeologists will ensure that investigations are carried out to the highest professional standards.