National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research

In 1973, the Association for National Archaeological Excavations (AFAN) was established. The Ministry of Culture allocated funds to AFAN, which distributed them between planned and rescue excavations. AFAN negotiated excavation costs among three parties: the state, AFAN, and the developer. Despite increased resources, challenges persisted. AFAN created the national archaeological map, an inventory to assess the archaeological potential of municipalities. In 1977, AFAN established the Emergency Archaeology Intervention Fund (FIAS). That same year, Article R.111-3-2 of the Urban Planning Code allowed the refusal of a building permit if it endangered an archaeological site or remains. In 1979, the Sub-Directorate of Archaeology was created within the Ministry of Culture's Heritage Directorate, recognizing archaeology as an integral part of cultural heritage. In 1999, following numerous scandals involving the destruction of archaeological sites, the Minister of Culture, Catherine Trautmann, commissioned a working group to propose a new law to protect archaeological heritage from land development. The group included Jean-Paul Demoule, a university professor, Bernard Pêcheur, a state councilor, and Bernard Poignant, mayor of Quimper. On January 7, 2001, the preventive archaeology law was enacted, based on the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage, signed in Malta in January 1992. This law introduced a fee to fund archaeological diagnostics and excavations, dissolved AFAN, and established a public administrative institution with staff employed under public contracts. On February 1, 2002, Inrap was officially founded. == Missions ==

The law mandates that, before any development project or upon submission of a building permit, the archaeology service of the Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs may require an archaeological diagnostic if deemed necessary. Inrap's primary mission is to conduct these preventive archaeology diagnostics. When a land development project is subject to an archaeological prescription by the regional archaeology service—indicating potential or confirmed archaeological significance—a diagnostic is performed before construction begins. This may lead to preventive excavations, assigned through a tender process. Inrap also ensures the scientific exploitation of preventive archaeology operations and disseminates their results. It contributes to education, cultural outreach, and the promotion of archaeology (Article L.523-1 of the French Heritage Code). File:Fouilles rue Henri Farman.jpg|Excavations at an open-air Mesolithic site (Rue Henry-Farman, Paris 15th) in 2008. File:Thann synagogue bain rituel fouilles Inrap 17 mars 2014 06.jpg|Mechanical excavation in the courtyard of the Thann Synagogue (Haut-Rhin), uncovering a ritual bath in 2014. File:INRAP présentation fouilles Obernai 6000 ans occupation 24 octobre 2013 33.jpg|Presentation of artifacts from excavations at Obernai (Bas-Rhin) in 2013. File:Chantier de fouilles à Villeneuve d'Ascq en Fevrier 2017 (10).JPG|Excavations at an open-air site, Place de la République, Annappes, in 2017. File:Chapelle_Sainte-Croix_La_Cordelle_Vezelay_aout_2024_(1).jpg|Excavations at La Cordelle site, Vézelay (Yonne), August 2024. Preventive archaeology operations Diagnostics involve mechanically testing approximately 10% of a project's land area to assess archaeological potential. These tests, conducted with mechanical diggers, vary in depth based on the burial level of remains. They aim to confirm or rule out the presence of remains, and if present, to identify their nature, density, extent, and preservation state. A report summarizing the findings is submitted to the Regional Archaeology Service. Excavations are prescribed when remains are deemed significant, occurring before construction starts. Excavations focus on areas with the most important remains to collect and analyze data, providing a comprehensive understanding of the site's evolution. Post-excavation analysis allows archaeologists to interpret field data, culminating in a final operation report, which may serve as the basis for scientific publication. Research Research is central to Inrap's mission. The institute extends its diagnostic and excavation work through research, contributing to international archaeological studies. Inrap's discoveries align with global research themes, and the institute participates in colloquia, seminars, publications, and scientific conferences. It collaborates with French universities, the CNRS, and international partners, including the Europeae Archaeologiae Consilium, the European Association of Archaeologists, and European projects like Planarch and NEARCH. Outreach Under the January 17, 2001 law, Inrap is tasked with the "scientific exploitation of preventive archaeology operations and the dissemination of their results," contributing to education, cultural outreach, and archaeology promotion (Article L.523-1 of the Heritage Code). Inrap undertakes various public engagement activities: • Lightweight Inrap exhibitions are loaned to partner cultural institutions for events or exhibitions related to archaeology. • Inrap publishes and co-publishes books on archaeology for the general public, including adults and young audiences. == Funding ==

Since the law of August 1, 2003, preventive archaeology operations are funded through two mechanisms: • The Preventive Archaeology Fee (RAP), payable by anyone planning subsoil-affecting development works subject to specific declarations or authorizations under the Urban Planning Code or Environmental Code, above a threshold tied to the project's nature. • Excavation costs, paid by the developer directly to the operator (Inrap, an approved территориал archaeology service, or another state-approved entity) for conducting excavations. == Organization ==

Inrap is governed by a board of directors, assisted by a scientific council. Members of both councils are appointed or elected for three-year terms, with a limit of two consecutive terms. Both councils are chaired by Inrap's president, selected for archaeological expertise and appointed by a presidential decree upon the joint proposal of the Ministers of Culture and Research. The president is supported by a deputy director general, responsible for administration and management, appointed by interministerial order. Presidents • Jean-Paul Demoule, 2001–2008. and 2024). == See also ==