European Association of Archaeologists Conference Rome 2024: Persisting with Change - Short Documentary Film (Archeologia Romana / Roman Archaeology)

Short documentary by Beatrice Barberis & Daniele Secci. 2023.

Day after day people passed over these roads, and still do.

Welcome to the 30th annual meeting of the European Association of Archaeologists. Rome, one of the cradles of Europe, which the ancient poets called the Eternal City and which we still call that, changing its meaning from the pride of a lost empire to the reality of passing time, flowing like the Tiber River. Its ancient stones tell stories in which change is not only welcomed but persistently celebrated.

A mosaic of ruins and relics, where fragments of the past find new purpose, testifies to the remarkable synergy of ancient charm and contemporary vitality. The saga of the "open city," embracing the world and its inhabitants, unfolds through the layers of time, a living testament to the art of persevering through change. The "blond" Tiber is still the mighty witness of changing times, crossed by bridges that mend any gap.

Lands near the Tiber have revealed important remains since the Paleolithic, while life in the Neolithic and Copper Age highlights the importance of the river and its crossings. In the Bronze and Iron Ages, the foundations of the flourishing city were laid on the hills controlling the ford of the Tiber Island. Here the Republic and Empire found nourishment not only in the might of armies but also in the pillars of law and justice. Changes in late antiquity transformed Rome into the seat of the Catholic Church, with a vision that embraced the whole world, marking a lasting thread of continuity through the changes in our city. Doctrinal rigidity was balanced by the visionary splendors of art, architecture, and intellect that still adorn its streets and galleries today. After the Fascist dictatorship and World War II, Rome witnessed the first treaty that set the course for the European Union. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations found its headquarters here, as did the International Center for the Study of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage.

Rome has nurtured international knowledge and cooperation, as evidenced by the many foreign academies that have found their home here and the many universities in the city and region. Sapienza University, an excellence in archaeological research, will be the site of the EAA Annual Meeting, August 28-31, 2024.

Join us to share wisdom, make connections, and explore things beneath the surface.

Our efforts to create a stimulating program filled with challenging topics and breathtaking locations aim to exceed your expectations. Guided by captivating lectures and excursions you will be immersed in the vibrant spirit of Rome and the magnificence and beauty of archaeology, unveiling fragments of history in the urban landscape and countryside, while lively social engagements will cultivate new connections for personal and professional growth and fuel your research. We look forward to your presence, to join us in the pursuit of knowledge and discovery.

As archaeologists, reflecting on the past and its traces, we embrace the dilemma of "Persisting with Change" and celebrate enduring human endeavor, in Rome, the heart of history - a city that remains forever, a city for all.