ARCHAEOTOURISM
For the tourism of archeology
ABOUT US
The ArchaeoTourism association
ArchaeoTourism is a bilingual association founded in 2012. It is based in Biel. Its objective is to bring together archeology and tourism professionals through various actions. Based on the observation that many Swiss archaeological destinations with high tourist potential do not benefit from any communication strategy, the association encourages meetings between specialists of the two disciplines, participates in multidisciplinary projects and regularly organises international conferences. The results of these conferences are systematically published, referenced and available to everyone. One of the association's objectives is also to develop activities for the public and school classes. It also organises thematic excursions on one or several archaeological sites in Switzerland.
THE COMMITTEE
AURELIA BASTERRECHEA
President
MA in Pre- and Protohistoric Archeology
MA in Museum Studies
Scientific collaborator - ArchaeoConcept
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AURELIE FERNANDEZ
Vice President and Secretary
Lic. in Sciences of Antiquity
CAS in cultural promotion
CAS in heritage and tourism
Collaborator - Anadeo and Co.
Scientific collaborator - ArchaeoConcept
CYNTHIA DUNNING THIERSTEIN
Treasurer
PhD in prehistoric archeology
MAS in Cultural Project Management
Director - ArchaeoConcept
"SITE OF THE MONTH: DISCOVER SWITZERLAND'S UNKNOWN PAST THROUGH THE SEASONS"
The Site of the month project pursues its moulting desires, slowly but surely. Following contact with the association Swiss Archaeology and the development of the concept of an interactive map with Dominique Oppler of Librum Publishers & Editors, the project serves as a basis for reflection for a group of students from the Hochschule Luzern led by Dejan Veranič as part of a work for the Master of Science in Business Administration. Based on an analysis of tourist trends and market studies, this new project proposes the creation of a platform entitled Explore the Forgotten Communities with a web and mobile application. This networking strategy would allow both tourism people and tourists to take advantage of this web application in Switzerland. Visit the site at www.site-of-the-month.ch.
UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBILITY ON OUTDOOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
The project aimed at achieving universal accessibility to archaeological sites in nature started at the beginning of 2022. ArchaeoTourism supports this project by participating in fundraising. It goes without saying that the archaeological sites already present in the Site of the month project will be asked to participate. This project has gained international recognition. Indeed, it led to the creation of an international working group within ICOMOS/ICAHM for the establishment of accessibility guidelines for World Heritage. We would like to thank the Ernst Göhner Foundation, the Federal Office for Culture and the Federal Office for Disability Equality BFEH for their support of this project.
ARCHAEOTOURISM CONFERENCES
ArchaeoTourism has organized and published several conferences on the theme of archeology and tourism:
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"Tourism and Archaeology" (Thun, 2012)
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"Baths - Tourist heritage and historical potential" (Baden, 2014)
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"Landscape, archeology and tourism" (Fribourg, 2016)
You can find and order the publications below.
LA-HAUT, DA OBEN. FORTIFIED SITES OF VALAIS FROM PREHISTORY TO PRESENT
In 2019, the ArchaeoTourism association, in collaboration with ArchaeoConcept, participated on a cantonal exhibition project with the Office of Archeology of the Canton of Valais. This traveling exhibition, entitled "Là-haut, da oben. Fortified sites of Valais from prehistory to the present day", deals from a diachronic perspective with the theme of the occupation of heights and systems of defenses elaborated by the populations of the past, in the mountains. It is made up of seven sites that punctuate the Valais, dating from prehistory to the 20th century - the Heindischbühl in Raron (Neolithic), the Château de la Soie in Savièse (Neolithic), the Scex-Rouge in Fully (Bronze and Iron), Hannibal's Wall at Liddes (Iron Age and Roman Period), Cornillon at Vionnaz (8-12th centuries), Beauregard Castle at Chippis (14th century) and the fort at Naters (from 1939).
These different forms of fortifications rising in the mountainous relief are illustrated by models, accompanied by objects from archaeological research. Between spring 2021 and autumn 2022, the exhibition stopped at four locations, alternating between French-speaking and German-speaking regions: the World Nature Forum in Naters, the Château de Saint-Maurice, the Castle of Leuk (20 May - 28 August 2022) and the Arsenaux cultural center in Sion (September-November 2022). In order to go further in the theme of high fortifications, the publication "Up and down the hills. Fortified sites of Valais over time" was created and highlights other sites unknown to the public. You can order this book in French or German below.
The strength of this exhibition is to give significant visibility to the defensive apparatus in the four corners of Valais and to bring together many specialists around this crucial question. ArchaeoTourism ensured the coordination between the partners, fundraising, follow-up and design of the common theme of the exhibition. The project was also supported by the Loterie Romande, the Ernst Göhner Foundation, the Banque cantonale du Valais, UBS, the Academic Society of Valais and the municipalities of Chippis, Fully, Naters, Raron, Savièse and Vionnaz.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUPPORT COLLABORATION BETWEEN ARCHEOLOGY AND TOURISM IN SWITZERLAND?
Join us and become a member!
CONTRIBUTIONS
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Full price (annual): CHF 50.- (50.- Euros)
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Reduced rate (student, AVS, unemployment / annual): CHF (30.- Euros)
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Couple (annual): CHF 75.- (75.- Euros)
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Institutional member (annual): CHF 50.- (50.- Euros)
Please note that students must send a registration certificate or a copy of their student card when registering.
BECOME A MEMBER
To become a member of ArchaeoTourism, please complete the registration form.
To be returned to:
ArchaeoTourism, Schützengasse 21 / Rue du Stand 21, CH-2502 Biel/Bienne
mail: info@archaeoconcept.com, Tel. +41 32 322 77 03
ANNUAL REPORTS
2013
This year 2013 was rich in events combining archeology and tourism. In autumn 2013. ArchaeoTourism published the proceedings of its first conference Archaeology and Tourism. The association also organized a round table on "Archaeology and events" in June 2013, at the University of Lausanne. It is preparing a second symposium to be held in 2014.
2014
This year 2014 allowed ArchaeoTourism to pursue its innovative projects between archeology and tourism. The association set up a session dedicated to these themes at the EAA's annual international conference held in Istanbul in September 2014. It also organized a second symposium on the theme "Baths - Tourist heritage and historical potential" which took place in Baden in November 2014. It is preparing a new project, which will make it possible to make known the Swiss archaeological heritage...
2015
This year 2015 proved to be rich in activities for ArchaeoTourism. Indeed, the association set up a new session dedicated to tourism and archeology at the EAA's international conference, which took place in Glasgow in September 2015. It also worked on the publication of the proceedings of the Baden colloquium. The involvement for Swiss heritage was particularly evident in the reflection, design and implementation of the huge project "Site of the month: discover Switzerland's unknown past throughout the seasons".
2016
2016 was a dynamic year for ArchaeoTourism. It has indeed enabled the expansion of its "Archaeo-heritage-tourist" network. A third symposium was organized on the theme "Landscape, archeology and tourism", in Friburg in October 2016. The proceedings of the Baden symposium were published in March 2016. A new session was organized at the EAA which took place in Vilnius, Lithuania. The "Site of the month" project is being made permanent, as it represents a great opportunity for Swiss archeology to gain greater visibility.
2017
This year 2017 marks a continuation of the projects initiated in previous years. The "Site of the month" project is renewed with the establishment of archaeo-tourist excursions. The proceedings of the Friborg colloquium have been published in a bilingual version. ArchaeoTourism participated in a Working Party and a session of the EAA, which was held in Maastricht in August-September 2017.
2018-2019
In this year 2018, ArchaeoTourism has carried out new innovative projects. The association has launched an innovative media trip project, in collaboration with the New Biel Museum, to promote prehistoric lake dwellings. It participated in various conferences: EAA in Barcelona (September 2018), "Sense and Sustainability" in Zagreb (May 2019).
2020
Despite the difficulties due to the COVID-19 health crisis, the association was particularly active in 2020 and early 2021. It was necessary to prepare the publication and the traveling exhibition on the high fortified sites in Valais. In addition, the members of the committee were active in the framework of the virtual colloquium of the EAA which should have taken place in Budapest (Hungary).
2021
In 2021, we were able to successfully open the exhibition at the fortified sites in Valais in Naters and Saint Maurice. ArchaeoTourism also organized the annual Swiss Archeology excursion to Valais. In addition, committee members were active in the virtual EAA colloquium that should have taken place in Kiel, Germany.
"The hour of the end of discoveries never rings"
Colette
PUBLICATIONS
The ArchaeoTourism association has organized several conferences on the theme of archeology and tourism, of which it has published the proceedings.
CONTACT ARCHAEOTOURISM
Schützengasse 21 / Rue du Stand 21, CH-2502 Biel/Bienne
+41 32 322 77 03