Engineering—archaeology: reconciling what is possible

Abstract

Major construction works in consolidated urban areas can seriously affect existing services and public facilities. This reality worsens when infrastructure projects are in the old parts of towns. Whether archaeological remains have high or low historical significance, a substantial effort is needed in respecting, consolidating and even, in many instances, incorporating them into the final project being developed. From this perspective, civil engineering, far from being an ‘earthquake’ that destroys culture and dismantles history, turns out to be an important ally that makes archaeological research, the study and inventory of findings and ultimately their conservation possible. It is obvious that making goals—sometimes even contradictory ones—compatible does not allow for single and unequivocal solutions, and certain external circumstances can condition to a large extent the actions finally executed. This paper describes two major construction projects carried out in close proximity to existing historical structures of archaeological significance.