Introduction. Archaeological Citizen Science From Southern Europe

Mattia Sanna Montanelli

;Jesus Bermejo Tirado;Antonio Giorri

2025-01-01

---

Abstract

This introductory chapter examines the application and development of citizen science within the field of archaeology, particularly in Southern Europe. Tracing its origins to the professionalisation of science in the 19th century and the advent of digital platforms, it contextualises the historical, methodological, and technological frameworks that underpin contemporary citizen science. The chapter highlights the unique contributions and challenges of integrating citizen science into archaeology, including its capacity to democratise cultural heritage through public participation and its limitations when reduced to crowdsourcing tasks. Special attention is given to the alignment between citizen science and public archaeology, exploring their shared commitment to fostering societal impact while distinguishing their methodological and conceptual differences. Grounded in the principles of the Faro Convention, the chapter advocates for a people-centred approach to heritage, emphasising the transformative potential of dialogical methodologies to bridge gaps between academic research and community engagement. Ultimately, it situates citizen science as a tool for reshaping archaeological practice, fostering inclusion, and addressing the ethical and practical implications of digital and participatory paradigms.The examination of citizen science in archaeology has been heavily influenced by case studies and theories from Anglophone countries, where a distinctive policy and social framework exists. However, there is currently a notable absence of consideration on the subject in the Mediterranean context. This book, through an examination of the strengths and limitations of citizen science in southern Europe, provides fresh insights and perspectives that inform the development of more effective citizen science projects in southern Europe and beyond. It seeks not only to explore the region in question but also to facilitate cross-cultural and international collaboration and promote a greater understanding of the role of citizen science in diverse contexts. The chapters feature different study approaches: legal conceptions, case studies from Spain, Italy, and Greece, methodological, technical, and critical approaches, and updates of the citizen science literature, providing readers with diverse perspectives. As the first volume about citizen science in archaeological research and practice in Southern Europe, this book is for researchers in and practitioners of citizen science, archaeology, and Mediterranean Studies.