The custodian itinerary of heritage in Portugal

Towards the archaeology(ies) of historic architecture

Abstract

The end of 2023 witnessed the start of a new custodian of cultural heritage in Portugal, Património Cultural, I.P. From the archaeology of architecture’s perspective, as a condition imposed by the custodian on projects affecting architectural heritage, the new organisation inherits a long history, marked by moments of rapprochement and estrangement between the administrations of archaeological and architectural heritage. Using the legislation on these specialities, this article seeks to understand the itinerary of the custodian(s) of archaeology and architecture in Portugal, in order to fulfil two objectives. Firstly, to understand how architectural heritage has come to be perceived as an archaeological document, in order to discern the conditions that have led the custodian(s) to demand archaeology of architecture interventions. Secondly, to analyse the different attitudes towards the application of archaeology to architectural heritage over time, to try to uncover the possibilities for the future of archaeology of architecture in the country, at a time when a new custodian is being inaugurated.