Non-destructive field evaluation in Preventive Archaeology. Looking at the current situation in Europe

This contribution offers a short summary of archaeological assessment in various parts of Europe in terms of the adopted practices and methodologies, comparing some of the most notable foreign experiences with the situation recently brought about in Italy following the introduction of a new domestic law which for the first time regulates preventive archaeology in the country. The patterns described make it possible to draw some conclusive reflections on how geophysics, aerial archaeology and other remote sensing techniques can be used in preventive archaeology to enhance the identification and understanding of the hidden archaeological resource as an essential element in the evaluation process prior to development. By supplementing rather than replacing the long-established methods of archaeological exploration and interpretation, these non-invasive methods have the power to supply, relatively quickly and cheaply, a detailed picture of past landscapes and activities, with many significant implications for heritage preservation as well as for modern spatial planning and urban development.