For the vast majority of human history, archaeological heritage is the only source of information on living conditions, social structures, artistic creation, religious beliefs and practices, technical innovations, population shifts, communication networks, conflicts, etc. 

Archaeology as an interdisciplinary science, located between the humanities, historical and cultural sciences in close connection with the natural sciences, researches a multitude of human legacies in the form of artefacts, monuments, superficially visible traces of human activity in the landscape or hidden traces in the ground, human remains, as well as, for some periods and regions, also early written documents. In this sense, research of archaeological heritage and ancient cultures contribute crucially to our understanding of the base or roots of the civilizations of the modern world. 

However, our common archaeological heritage is also increasingly threatened by a variety of factors, including natural geological processes and climatic changes, but also anthropogenic threats in the form of construction activities/ development, (which in 80-90% of the cases in Europe are the reason for the performance of rescue archaeological excavations e.g. Stefánsdóttir 2018, 7), but also illegal excavations, illicit trade with archaeological artefacts or wars/ armed conflicts. 

Archaeological heritage is, on the one hand, a non-renewable resource that needs special protection, and on the other hand, as a global cultural value, has great potential for sustainable use on a scientific, social, educational and economic level  (see for e.g. Pirkovič 2019; Liritzis and Korka, 2019). The role of archaeological heritage and cultural heritage in general is reflected by the development of strategies at the international level which address the importance of cultural heritage beyond its historical-scientific significance. International strategies such as the “Strategy 21”( “European Heritage Strategy for the 21st Century”, https://www.coe.int/en/web/culture-and-heritage/strategy-21), launched by the Council of Europe in 2017, aim to redefine the position and importance of cultural heritage in Europe and provide guidelines on the fostering and management of cultural heritage in the form of recommendations and challenges. Part of the strategy relates to the sustainable management and accessibility of cultural heritage through the use of new and innovative technologies (e.g. recommendations D8 and D9). 

We believe that the four SDG (sustainable development goals): No. 4, quality education; No. 9, Industry, innovation, infrastructure, No. 16, peace, justice and strong institutions, and No. 17, partnerships for the goals, are promoting cultural heritage, when these are connected with natural sciences for 2 reasons:

a) The inclusion to a greater degree of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) in an interdisciplinary manner to the three educational levels, enhances quality of education, investigatory minds and innovation, and,

b) The interdisciplinarity of Arts & Cultural Heritage with natural Sciences & Technology /STEM enhances understanding, foster peace, development & innovation, sustainability, and necessary partnerships. Achieved with exchange of tangible and intangible heritage experiences & knowledge, and development of cultural tourism and Cultural Creative Industries.

In any case the primary SDG goal, in our opinion is, Developing & Sustaining the Inner Self and making a round educated person. Such person shall apply more properly the 17 SDG.

The World is more interconnected than ever. Improving access to interdisciplinary knowledge, caring for the maintenance, preservation and deciphering our past, is an important way to share ideas and foster innovation and establish a more complete person.

The aim of the “Advanced Digital Archaeological-Historical Network” (ADAH Net) is to promote research into the archaeological-historical heritage using new methods and technologies, in particular information technology and artificial intelligence, to build bridges and to link researchers from different disciplines. In order to approach this goal, we bring together scientists and institutions from different research areas, on the one hand from the humanities, archaeological disciplines, history, art studies, and on the other hand from the natural sciences, archaeometry, IT and artificial intelligence.

Our activities include the organization of international conferences, roundtables, working groups, summer schools, specific courses at the Alma Mater Europaea, publications, project collaborations and the promotion of young scientists by assisting in the publication of their research work and with the awarding of the “Young scientists Archaeological-Historical Discovery and Research Achievement Awards”.

The ADAH Net primarily is orientated to European dimensions, but Global cooperation is also considered.

Local, regional and international ADAH Net sub-groups are envisaged.

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