1.1.1. A Summary of ‘Best Practices’ for Planning/Implementing Archeological
Tourism
The AIA/ATTA manual outlines “best practices” for archeologically interesting
visiting sites:
- Archaeological sites and historical places are finite, fragile, and non-renewable
resources: Archaeological sites and historical places are unique and irreplaceable.
Destruction of a site is permanent and irreversible. It is important to know that
sites are fragile and vulnerable to exposure to elements, looting, and irresponsible/unrestricted
tourism. Destruction of sites results not only in loss of the physical remains but
also the information that may have been gleaned from examination and study of the
area. Loss of information is just as critical as the loss of sites as it affects
our understanding of the cultures that built them.
- Archaeological sites exist within a larger setting that includes both the
environment and the local communities: Good practices must take into account the
impact of archaeological tourism on the site and the natural environment in which
the site is located. Guidelines for sustainable tourism should respect the values,
ideals, and rights of the local communities that exist alongside the sites. Guidelines
for good practices must be created in cooperation with the local population.
- Removal or destruction of cultural material is unethical and illegal: Archaeological
sites are generally protected by laws that prohibit the removal of any cultural
(and in some cases, natural) materials. Removing or trafficking in cultural materials
is illegal. Looting destroys a site and compromises the integrity of any information
that may be retrieved from it.
The three principles listed above are the foundation for creating any guidelines
for visiting archaeological sites and historical places. They should also guide
the planning of tours and the behavior of tour operators and visitors (from AIA/ATTA
Best Practice Guide for Archeological Tourism).
