Archaeology does not only look to the past; it is increasingly emerging as a tool capable of building connections in the present and fostering dialogue between cultures. This is the central theme of the first study meeting “Archaeology in Dialogue. North Africa and Western Asia as Laboratories of Peace”, organised by the ISPCC-CNR and scheduled for Monday, 4 May 2026 in Rome, at the CNR (Sala Guglielmo Marconi), from 10:00 to 18:00.
Among the speakers, Luca Peyronel will present an overview of the current state of archaeological research in the Iraqi Kurdistan, outlining ongoing activities as well as interventions related to the protection, conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage. His contribution will highlight not only the operational challenges in a complex context, but also the opportunities for international collaboration that archaeology can foster.
The initiative is conceived as an opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange, bringing together scholars and experts working in geographically and politically fragile regions, from North Africa to Western Asia. In such contexts, archaeological work takes on a significance that goes beyond academic research: it becomes a space for intercultural dialogue and a practical means of promoting cooperation, sustainable development and the safeguarding of cultural identity.
The study day aims to demonstrate how cultural heritage, when properly protected and enhanced, can play a key role in peacebuilding processes, helping to strengthen ties between communities and to generate new opportunities for shared growth.
@ISPCC-CNR, Sala Guglielmo Marconi (RM), Lunedì 4 maggio 2026, h. 10-18.