Archaeological Science Laboratories



The Archaeological science laboratories are part of the Heritage and Archaeological Science Studies Division (DEPA), within the IGESPAR’s Inventory, Studies and Dissemination Department (DIED). They are a legacy of the CIPA Programme (Centre for Research in Human Palaeontology and Archaeological Science) that was set up in the former Portuguese Institute of Archaeology for developing multidisciplinary research programmes about the evolution of the Portuguese landscape and of former human territories, about mankind’s natural history and its resources and the nature of the different systems of adaptation dealt with by archaeological research. This Centre was meant to provide a research structure that would contemplate particular areas showing shortages or inexistent in Portugal, namely natural sciences applied to Archaeology, so as to ensure support to the archaeological community across the country.

Besides recruiting post-doctoral scholarship holders, through an international public tender, in the areas of Archaeozoology and Geoarcheology, the work team, laboratory and documentary technical equipment and projects from the Palaeobotanic nucleus (operating informally in the Museum, Laboratory and Botanical Garden of the Classical University of Lisbon) were transferred to the IPA/CIPA. Two other nuclei were added later: Lithic Paleotechnology and Bioantropology. The Centre was entitled to a building, a budget, a number of technical and scientific appliances, documentary infrastructure, and reference collections. Apart from producing knowledge in different speciality areas, either resulting from specific problems or within pilot projects (Côa Valley and Lapedo Valley), the CIPA team developed experimental projects, organised training and dissemination activities, participated in the design and development of programmes and museum projects, and organised scientific and educational activities.

After the IGESPAR was set up, DIED was charged with the responsibilities contemplated in clauses a) to q), of article 3, No. 1, of the Ministerial Order no. 376/2007 of 30 March. They contemplate the following CIPA’s initial research areas and programme objectives:
a) to promote the development of studies and training activities in architectural and archaeological heritage areas;
f) to propose and coordinate cooperation with educational and research areas in the areas attributed to IGESPAR;
j) to provide consultancy and technical support services;
l) to encourage collaboration with research units specialised in natural and exact sciences applied to archaeology;
m) to promote the development of the archaeological activity in its different aspects through the introduction of new work practices and methodologies, as well as research;
n) to develop actions in cooperation with other public or private bodies so as to promote preventive archaeology through project structures;
o) to support and develop priority intervention lines for the archaeological heritage;
p) to support and monitor the development of the archaeological activity within the Ministry of Culture’s different departments;
q) to promote the training and updating of professional staff in priority archaeological areas or those showing shortages;

Currently, the IPA/CIPA only operates in three Archaeological science laboratories – Archaeozoology, Palaeobotanics and Lithic Paleotechnology – as well as a Scientific Photography Nucleus. Each one of them works in collaboration with external researchers as a Centre for the development of Archaeological science research projects.