Archaeology, museums and local development : Mértola, Portugal

"In the eighth webinar, the Babel Tower had the honour of having Cláudio Torres and Susana Gómez-Martínez, who shared the experience of the Campo Arqueológico de Mértola (CAM). Professor Cláudio Torres lived in political exile between 1961 and 1974 as an opponent of the Salazar regime and the colonial war; in 1978, He created the Campo Arqueológico de Mertola and founded the ten museums of the city of Mertola as well as visitable excavation sites. Susana Gómez-Martínez has been a researcher for the Mértola Archaeological Centre (CAM) since 1992. The project started in order to create a path of development in the poorest, most remote Portuguese region. The project was aimed to let this exceptional site to survive. Today, it is an exceptional example that shows how community-based approach to archaeological excavation has become a real opportunity for local development. After showing several examples, they explained that the idea has always been to make a harmonious management of the heritage while at the same time doing research, the conservation of the vestiges, their enhancement and dissemination. They pointed out how important is the work with the school community in heritage education activities. There is a project that is called Arqueologia para todos that in a sense brings the museum where people usually are. For example, remains are located in the banks, hospitals, town halls, etc. in addition to meetings with the community and archaeology workshop for families, etc. This system of initiatives creates a community-based environment that opens up the archaeological discipline to new and creative connections with the present and the future. " Giusy PappalardoLes muséologies insurgées: échanges transnationaux11. Sustainable cities and communities10. Reduced inequalitie