Archaeological heritage and sustainable development: coexistence is possible

Respecting the history of peoples, preserving the memories of the past, protecting a visible heritage preserved underground. When people talk about archaeological preservation, this is often a misconception, as they associate it with the preservation of movable and immovable objects. But the most important aspect to be preserved is in fact the context, in its entirety. Archaeology, after all, cannot be confined to the discovery of hidden objects or treasures, but should be regarded as a discipline that investigates, using its own methodologies and tools, every trace left + by human activity. In the protection of historical archaeological heritage and the preservation of historical events, preventive archaeology (also known as rescue, commercial or salvage archaeology) plays a key role. We at Enel Green Power care about the wealth that comes from below the ground. That is why we have developed a model that enables us to conserve cultural heritage by enhancing and communicating any findings during the development and construction phase of a power plant. Protecting the past, building the future Defending cultural heritage without interfering with the development of a country’s infrastructure: the most difficult challenge of modern times is reconciling these two requirements while respecting the need to ensure widespread services for people. As society transforms and as cities become smart, preventive archaeology aims to mitigate the possible negative impacts of such marked progress by assessing, in archaeological and paleontological terms, the risk posed by the implementation of public works. This assessment, the complexity of which is proportional to that of the work being planned, cannot disregard the collaboration between all the parties involved: archaeologists, geologists and paleontologists must therefore proceed in synergy with local authorities, planners and clients. Only this methodological approach can guarantee the protection of the infrastructure to be built, harmonizing a process that would otherwise be subject to slowdowns and hiccups. The Enel model: an integrated vision of archaeological protection We are guided by a lodestar: attention to historical and cultural heritage throughout the supply chain. Therefore, preventive archaeology adds value to the way we operate. We are in pursuit of continuous innovation: we study the past while trying to apply the best technologies of today, with the aim of anticipating knowledge of the archaeological potential of areas and minimizing the risk of discoveries during the construction phase. Our preventive archaeology model is aimed at the preservation of cultural heritage and consists of 5 points: A specialized archaeological team: a team of in-house archaeologists plays a crucial role in every phase of the project, from design to construction. In addition to performing excavation and research activities, they are responsible for coordinating external archaeologists, working closely with the relevant authorities and local agencies in the various countries where we operate, such as Italy, Spain, Colombia, Chile and Brazil. Archaeology management guidelines: in order to ensure a systematic and consistent approach, we have developed internal guidelines governing the management of archaeological aspects at each stage of the project. The guidelines cover every phase from the development to the construction of power plants, ensuring that each activity is conducted in full compliance with the applicable regulations. Data Digitalization: we invest in digitalizing data on the archaeological potential of areas where new power plants are planned. By making use of advanced digital tools, we can collect information more accurately, thereby improving our understanding of the area and performing predictive analysis for archaeological risk assessment. Innovative survey technologies: we use technologies that enable us to explore the subsurface without compromising the integrity of the site, thus facilitating the location of any archaeological finds before construction work begins. Induction: before the start of work at each worksite, everyone involved receives specific training on its archaeology, with information on possible finds and the procedures to be followed. The induction process ensures that the entire work team is aware of the intervention protocols and best practices to be observed, and is prepared to properly handle any situation related to archaeological finds. Our preventive archaeology is not limited to the design phase, but continues during the construction of the power plants. At this stage, we manage the monitoring of construction sites to detect any discoveries. When this happens, the necessary measures are implemented to ensure compliance with regulations and the protection of archaeological assets. Our mission is twofold: on the one hand, the preservation of cultural heritage, ensuring the enhancement of areas of archaeological interest; on the other, the communication of findings, to increase public awareness and the cultural-historical value of discoveries. Italian examples: a heritage to be rediscovered The extraordinary archaeological richness that is a feature of Italy has provided numerous opportunities to test and refine Enel Green Power’s preventive archaeology model. In Cancello ed Arnone, near Caserta in the Campania region, investigations aimed at building an agrivoltaic plant unearthed a Roman villa. The masonry structures that emerged during preliminary investigations tell the story of an agricultural settlement of considerable size, perfectly integrated into the production system of the time. The scientific documentation of the site, prior to its careful re-covering, has added a valuable piece to the understanding of the Roman presence in the region. More specifically, the remains identified two levels: one starting from the Republican age and reaching the beginning of the Augustan period, with structures in “opus reticulatum” (or reticulate work), and the other coinciding with the late Imperial age, marked by brick structures. Piani della Marina, at Tarquinia (near Viterbo in the Lazio region), on the other hand, provides an emblematic example of how preventive archaeology can guide design choices. Here, the application of innovative non-invasive technologies made it possible to identify, before work began, the presence of an underground structure identifiable as a Roman mansio or statio (a stopping place or station). This discovery led to a complete revision of the layout of the power plant, demonstrating how archaeological heritage protection can be integrated with development needs. Meanwhile at Pian di Giorgio preventive archaeology has provided a huge opportunity for all-round cultural enhancement. Thanks to our collaboration with the Superintendency (which is part of the Ministry of Culture), a project that goes beyond simple protection has seen the light of day: from scientific excavation to the restoration of artifacts, from on-site musealization (i.e., making material available for museum use) to the creation of public use paths and the development of multimedia content that enables visitors to immerse themselves in the history of the site. And, last but not least, the experience of Castelvetere shows how even timely finds can be transformed into opportunities for cultural enrichment for local communities. The discovery of two perfectly preserved Capuchin tombs, complete with burial ornaments, led to a process of recovery and restoration with a view to musealization in the municipal Antiquarium. Examples around the world: a global effort Our commitment to archaeological protection extends far beyond national borders. It embraces the boundless horizon of the countries in which we operate and adapts to local specificities and different types of cultural heritage. In Chile, projects at Campos del Sol and Sierra Gorda have uncovered significant evidence of pre-Hispanic cultures through the recovery of lithic artifacts. At Azabache, on the other hand, the creation of a museum within the power plant area shows how renewable energy production can coexist with the enhancement of cultural heritage. Colombia also offers shining examples of how preventive archaeology can be transformed into an opportunity to engage the community. At Fundacion and Guayepo, the discovery of settlement and burial areas enabled the development of outreach initiatives such as the "Museo por un día" (“Museum for a day”), which brought archaeology directly to local communities and EGP employees. Brazil, on the other hand, offered an opportunity to combine archaeological preservation and the recovery of local craft traditions. At Lagoa dos Ventos, home to the largest wind farm in South America, the project included not only the preservation of archaeological sites such as an ancient tannery, but also the rediscovery and dissemination of craft practices. The restoration of the local church and the creation of a cultural center helped transform the project into a catalyst for education. Back in Europe, the Brovales complex in Spain embodied a unique case of integrating industrial development and archaeological heritage protection. The five solar power plants revealed a mosaic of historical evidence: from Copper Age settlements, showing that the area was inhabited as early as 4,000 years ago, to 2,000-year-old Roman necropolises. At Encina al Sol, nearly 1,000 lithic artifacts related to a Middle to Upper Paleolithic settlement were found and recovered during archaeological surveillance activities in the construction phase for the power plant, and this helped in significantly improving knowledge of the region's history. Finally, at Alfajarín Solar, the discovery of Spanish Civil War trenches highlights how preventive archaeology also extends to the protection of more recent historical memory. This multifaceted network of international experiences shows how our model of preventive archaeology is not just a tool for protection, but stands out as a paradigm of sustainable development, which can integrate renewable energy production with the conservation and enhancement of the world's cultural heritage.

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Archaeological heritage and sustainable development: coexistence is possible

Archaeological heritage and sustainable development: coexistence is possible

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