Accessible Heritage

Dr. Cynthia Anne Dunning Thierstein is an archaeologist and heritage consultant with a Ph.D. in Anthropology and Human Ecology from the University of Geneva and a MAS in Cultural Management from the University of Basel. She is the Founder and Director of ArchaeoConcept Sàrl, where her work focuses on heritage policy, accessibility, and sustainable tourism. Formerly Director of the Museum Schwab and Cantonal Archaeologist of Bern, Dr. Dunning Thierstein has contributed extensively to national and international heritage management, including consultancy for UNESCO World Heritage projects. She is a member of ICOMOS, ICAHM, ICOM, and the EAC Sustainable Tourism Working Group.

Dr. Monique Henriëtte van den Dries is Associate Professor of Archaeological Heritage Management and Head of the Department of Heritage and Society at the Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University. Her academic and professional career spans both research and public policy, with previous roles at the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the National Agency for Cultural Heritage. She holds a Ph.D. from Leiden University, where she has worked since 2008. Dr. van den Dries specializes in public engagement and participation, community archaeology, and heritage policy. She is a member of ICOMOS and ICAHM.

Camille Isaline Aeschimann is a project manager and scientific associate at ArchaeoConcept, as well as coordinator of the Pierre and Laura Zurcher Foundation in Geneva. She holds an M.A. in Social Sciences and a B.A. in Ethnology and Human Geography from the University of Neuchâtel. Her work focuses on cultural participation, accessibility, and intercultural dialogue. At ArchaeoConcept, she has led national initiatives like “Archaeological Sites and Parks for All” and developed participatory heritage projects and exhibitions.

Dr. Setareh Ebrahimiabareghi, is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bern and a research associate at ArchaeoConcept in Switzerland. With a doctoral degree in Prehistoric Archaeology, her research focuses on prehistoric archaeology, early urbanism, and climate-related transformations in ancient settlements. At ArchaeoConcept, she is actively involved in projects focused on accessibility management and the development of master plans for archaeological sites. She has participated in archaeological fieldwork across Iran and authored numerous publications, including a forthcoming monograph on Tepe Sadegh. She is a member of ICOMOS.

Foreword (Céline Witschard).- Introduction (Cynthia Dunning Thierstein, Monique H. van den Dries, Camille Aeschimann, Setareh Ebrahimiabareghi).- Part I.- Chapter 1. Inclusive Access, redefining Accessibility for Archaeological Sites (Frédéric Reichhart).- Chapter 2. From taboo to key factor for sustainable management. Accessibility to open-air archaeological sites as a multi-scale and multi-dimensional goal (Maria Luisa Germanà).- Chapter 3. Assessing Governance for Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism in National Parks: A Methodological Approach (Maria-José Aguilar-Carrasco, Eric Gielen, Maria Vallés-Planells, Francisco Galianab).- Chapter 4. Assessing accessibility to archaeological sites: indicators (Miquel Àngel Salvà Cantarellas).- Chapter 5. World Heritage for all? Assessing accessibility ambitions in nominations for cultural World Heritage sites (Monique H. van den Dries).- Part II.- Chapter 6. Guidelines for the implementation of inclusive projects in cultural places. The example of the Laténium (canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland) (Daniel Dall’Agnolo).- Chapter 7. Adaptability as an approach to inclusion–Examples from Augusta Raurica (Jessica Meier).- Chapter 8. Improved access? Presentation and Accessibility in the LVR-Archaeological Park Xanten / LVR-RömerMuseum (Stephan Engelhard).- Chapter 9. Physical accessibility of ancient buildings-the case of the amphitheatre in Pula (¿eni Gobi¿-Bravar, Darko Komšo).- Chapter 10. Composing a patchwork of effective actions for an inclusive experience in the Archaeological Park of Paestum and Velia (Antonella Manzo, Mariajosè Luongo, Maria Boffa, Francesco Scelza).- Chapter 11. “Heritage for All” - A message from Tyre World Heritage Site (Maya Hmeidan, Assaad Seif).- Chapter 12. Inclusive art & archaeology projects in Japan: multisensory exploration and the significance of visually impaired people’s participation in cultural heritage (Sahoko Aki, Ilona Bausch).- Chapter 13. Accessible Heritage, Inclusive Territory: a method to codesign accessible and inclusive initiatives within Outdoor Heritage sites (Marta Pucciarelli).- Easy-To-Read Abstracts.