The Inrap cultural project

Its activities include teaching, cultural transmission and public outreach activities. It produces numerous resources and develops collaborative projects throughout France and its overseas territories.

The missions of Inrap follow four main axes:

• to reveal the role of archaeology in achieving a better understanding the history of France: the populations who settled there, their ways of life and environment, and their commercial and cultural exchanges;
• to bring regional, national, and even European archaeologies into perspective: to ensure the link between “local archaeology” and a global understanding of history at the national and European scales;
• to build public awareness of the main periods of History, as well as the methods, professions and disciplines of archaeology;
• to emphasize the role of archaeology in promoting social responsibility and citizenship.

Its missions are embodied in numerous projects:
Publications, exhibits, audio-visual and digital productions, radio shows, , “Discovery Days” at archaeological sites and research centres, participation in national cultural events (European Heritage Days, Science Festival), and at various conventions, colloquia and conferences…
Inrap also initiated the French  National Archaeology Days event, which it organizes under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture and Communication.
Finally, it operates a  national education, artistic and cultural programme..
 

RESOURCES FOR ALL AUDIENCES

The numerous resources produced, co-produced or co-published by Inrap are addressed to all types of people:

• members of the scientific community : a review, the “Recherches Archéologiques” collection
• the “knowledgeable” public (interested in archaeology, professionals in other sciences, students, amateurs, etc.) :  international colloquia and their proceedings, the “Archéologies de la France” collection
• the general public: the “Fouilles et Découvertes” (“Excavations and Discoveries”) collection, diverse audio-visual productions, brochures on the archaeological sciences and excavations, summary booklets, time-lines, multimedia presentations and magazines, the “Images d’Archéologie” illustration library, radio programs, exhibits, etc.
• the young public: the “A petits pas” (“Small steps”) and “A très petits pas” (“Tiny steps”) collections, animated films, audio-visual series, exhibits, educational-play tools, workshops, hands-on activities, etc.

Many of these resources can be consulted free of charge in the Inrap media library and at www.images-archeologie.com.

COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS THROUGHOUT FRANCE

To raise public awareness of archaeology, Inrap realises projects in collaboration with local governments and cultural, scientific and technical establishments. These operations at local, regional and national levels enable public outreach throughout France and its overseas territories.

Inrap activities involve a broad spectrum of activities and audiences: from schools to large public institutions, as well as museums, scientific, technical and industrial culture centres (CCSTI), book stores and town halls.

Exhibition : Tromelin, l'île des esclaves oubliés, in Nantes (France), October, 2015.

© Jean-Louis Bellurget