Archaeologist 4.0: The Future of the Profession at the tourismA Fair
17/02/2026
The world of archaeology is undergoing a profound transformation. It is no longer just about excavation and research, but also management, holistic valorization, and digital communication. In this changing scenario, how does academic training adapt? And what are the real needs of Archaeological Parks and professionals in the field?
The Interreg Italy-Croatia ARCHAEODIGIT project brings these crucial questions to the center of tourismA – Exhibition of Archaeology and Cultural Tourism in Florence, with the conference "The Evolving Archaeologist: Training and New Challenges in Heritage Management".
The appointment is for Friday, February 27th, from 14:00 to 16:00, at the Sala Onice of the Palazzo dei Congressi.
A Bridge Between Training and Profession
The event, moderated by Anna Cingoli (Forum AIC), was created to analyze the existing gap between traditional training paths and the demands of a labor market increasingly oriented towards the complex management of cultural heritage.
The proceedings will open with institutional greetings from Katuscia Cassetta, Councillor for Culture and Education of the Municipality of Macerata (Lead Partner of the project) , and Miroslav Gogala of the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments, testifying to the strong cross-border cooperation that animates the project.
Roberto Perna (University of Macerata) will be tasked with outlining the framework, illustrating how the ARCHAEODIGIT project is developing new models for heritage management and identifying new training needs.
The Program: Two Discussion Sessions
The conference will be structured into two key moments:
1. Academic Training and the International Context.
In this session, the evolution of degree courses and the relationship with public archaeology will be discussed. Speakers will include:
Giuliano Volpe (University of Bari) on training in the context of public archaeology.
Grazia Semeraro (University of Salento) on training paths in Italy.
Mauro Dujmović (University of Pula) on the challenge of holistic valorization and new skills for sector operators.
2. The Profession, Parks, and Field Management.
The floor will then pass to those who manage heritage daily, to understand operational challenges and the profile of the "multifaceted" professional. Discussing this will be:
Enrico Rinaldi (DRM Molise - Sepino Archaeological Park) on the perspectives of the Ministry of Culture (MiC).
Marcella Giorgio (National Association of Archaeologists - ANA) on the needs of a versatile professional figure.
Cinzia Rampazzo (Italian Confederation of Archaeologists - CIA) on the relationship between planning and valorization.
Why Participate
The event represents a unique opportunity for students, professional archaeologists, and cultural operators to understand the future directions of the sector and the impact of new technologies and managerial skills in the protection and promotion of the common history between Italy and Croatia.
We look forward to seeing you in Florence to design the future of archaeology together.
USEFUL INFO
📅 Date: Friday, February 27 | Time: 14:00 - 16:00
📍 Location: Florence, Palazzo dei Congressi - Sala Onice
