Inrap conducts diagnostic operations and preventive archaeological excavations. It “ensures the scientific study of preventive archaeology operations and the diffusion of their results. It participates in teaching, cultural transmission, and public outreach and development in archaeology”.

(from article L523-1 du Code du patrimoine).

Updated on
10 January 2017

Inrap was created in 2002 in application of the law on preventive archaeology. The Institute ensures the detection and study of archaeological remains concerned by construction projects in France and its overseas territories. It exploits and diffuses the results of its research to the scientific community and participates in teaching, cultural diffusion and public outreach.

Inrap was created in 2002 in application of the law on preventive archaeology. The Institute ensures the detection and study of archaeological remains concerned by construction projects in France and its overseas territories. It exploits and diffuses the results of its research to the scientific community and participates in teaching, cultural diffusion and public outreach.

A unique public service

Largely self-funded, Inrap is a research establishment in the public sector under the tutelage of the Ministries of Culture and Communication, National Education, Higher Education and Research. In addition to its State representatives, its Board of Directors is composed of representatives of research organisms and local governments, as well as developers and qualified persons in the field of archaeology.

Its research activity is conducted under the aegis of a scientific committee composed of the associated ministries and members of the archaeological community: CNRS, universities and the archaeology services of local government bodies.

During the different phases of archaeological research, Inrap shares the results of its work with the public. It develops diverse resources that are widely diffused via the organization of site visits, colloquia and exhibitions, publications, audiovisual documentaries, radio programs and digital tools. Each year since 2009, under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture and Communication, Inrap organizes the French National Archaeology Days.

Private and public developers

In the context of the its diagnostic operations and excavations, Inrap collaborates each year with more than 700 private and public partners: property developers, motorway enterprises, quarry enterprises, regional councils, departmental councils, town-associations (communautés de communes), cities, public enterprises, public housing offices, etc.

A presence throughout France

With approximately 2,000 collaborators and researchers, and more than 40 research centers, Inrap is present throughout metropolitan France, French Guyana, Guadeloupe and Martinique. It is the main preventive archaeology operator in the field, in both rural and urban zones. Its national organization and the number and diversity of the competencies of its personnel make Inrap a research institute with no equivalent in Europe.