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Archaeology services at the Ministry of Culture

To ensure the management of the archaeological heritage entrusted to it, the Ministry of Culture has set up an administrative and operational network that covers the entire French territory and all fields of the archaeological discipline.

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Central Administration: Archaeology Branch

Within the Directorate-General for Heritage and Architecture, the Sub-Directorate for Archaeology consists of four offices:
 • Archaeology Resource Office;
 • Archaeological Operations and Operators Office;
 • the Archaeological Heritage Office;
 • the National Prehistory Centre (CNP), office located in Périgueux, responsible for the study and conservation of the decorated caves.

Contact the Sub-Directorate of Archaeology

Le bâtiment des services du ministère de la Culture, 182 rue Saint-Honoré dans le 1er arrondissement de Paris
Le bâtiment des services du ministère de la Culture, 182 rue Saint-Honoré dans le 1er arrondissement de Paris. Photo MC

 

Ministry of Culture
Directorate-General for Heritage and Architecture
Sub-Directorate for Archaeology
182 rue Saint-Honoré
75001 Paris
Tel. 01 40 15 77 30

 

Decentralised services: regional archaeology services

The Regional Archaeology Services (SRA) are under the authority of regional directors of cultural affairs (Drac) and regional prefects who ensure the application of the legislation. They hear requests for permission to search in connection with the territorial archaeological research commissions (CTRA).

Regional Archaeology Services:
• prescribe preventive archaeology operations and monitor and control their execution;
• oversee regional archaeological research;
• implement measures to protect, conserve and promote archaeological heritage;
• Disseminate and promote research.

Contact the regional archaeological service of your region

La villa San Lazaro à Ajaccio, siège de la Drac de Corse. Photo MC

 

 

A service with national competence: the Drassm

The underwater archaeological research department (Drassm), based in Marseille, is under the authority of the Director General of Heritage and Architecture.

The Drassm is responsible for implementing legislation on maritime cultural property, namely any property of archaeological interest found at sea. Its jurisdiction extends to the maritime public domain and the contiguous zone, that is to say up to 24 miles from the coast.

It provides scientific and technical advice and control:
• on underwater archaeological sites;
• on underwater archaeological sites, that is, sites that are open in lakes and rivers.

Contact the Drassm

 

A public administrative research institution: Inrap

The National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) is a public institution under the dual supervision of the ministries responsible for culture and research.

It is a preventive archaeology operator.

Contact Inrap

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