The Department of Archaeology of Pázmány Péter Catholic University served as an associated partner in the ArchaeoLandscapes Europe (ArcLand) project from 2013 to 2015. As part of this initiative, the department participated in the activities of Working Group 4 (Action 4), which focused on training students in non-destructive archaeological site investigation techniques. These methods emphasized practical fieldwork, post-processing, and archaeological evaluation of gathered data.
To fulfill these educational and research goals, ArcLand collaborated with the Janus Pannonius Museum in Pécs and the Wosinsky Mór Museum in Szekszárd, which holds regional authority. The project included a field study conducted in the Roman settlement of Szakcs and Dalmand, situated on the border of Tolna County. This initiative provided hands-on experience for students and contributed to the archaeological understanding of the area through innovative non-invasive investigation methods. With the involvement of students we conduct such investigation at Iovia.
In 2013, two students and one staff member from the Department of Archaeology at Pázmány Péter Catholic University participated in the Non-Invasive Archaeological Training Project in Pécs. This project was organized by the Janus Pannonius Museum and ArcLand. Participants gained theoretical and practical knowledge of aerial archaeological, geophysical, and other remote sensing methods. Gábor Bertók, a lecturer from the department, was involved as an organizer and tutor.
The training was part of the Culture 2007–2013 ArchaeoLandscapes Europe Programme, led by the Römisch-Germanische Kommission of the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut in Frankfurt. The programme included 72 institutions across Europe, with 27 as co-organizers and 42 as associated partners, focusing on non-invasive archaeological approaches.
Project website with a list of associated institutions.
Key objectives (in line with the general principles of the EU call for proposals):
“The development of a European cultural community ... based on a common cultural heritage ... and based on cooperative activities ... and which fosters the emergence of a common 'European civic conscience'.”
Tools:
- promoting international mobility in the cultural sector
- promoting the international movement of cultural and artistic products
- promoting intercultural dialogue
The ArchaeoLandscapes Europe project aims to achieve its objectives through the establishment of specific working groups tasked with various responsibilities. The general goals include:
- Establishing a European Landscape Heritage Network to support professionals in the use of aerial and remote sensing methods for archaeology and heritage conservation.
- Promoting international mobility for researchers and encouraging the exchange of expertise through workshops, training programs, exchange visits, and similar events.
- Disseminating research results to the general public through both traditional and innovative communication methods.
- Enhancing education on landscape and remote sensing methods, including the development of a European Master’s program in Remote Sensing and Heritage Protection.
- Encouraging the use of existing data archives for research and conservation purposes.
- Expanding the adoption of aerial and remote sensing techniques in regions where their use is not yet well-established, especially in Northern and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean.
- Investigating new remote sensing technologies, such as satellite imagery and laser scanning (LIDAR), for their archaeological and conservation potential.
- Formulating strategies to apply remote sensing technologies effectively in heritage conservation efforts.
The following working groups have been set up by the participants in the call to implement the objectives set:
Total budget: 5.000.000 EUR
(own contribution: EUR 2.500.000 EU grant: EUR 2.500.000)
Project start date: 15 September 2010.
Duration: 5 years
