Vernacular earthen heritage is deeply embedded in the landscapes and cultural traditions of thecommunities that build and inhabit these structures. Made from locally sourced materials and constructedusing local techniques, these buildings embody sustainability, adaptability, and cultural identity. Whileformal recognition within international frameworks gained prominence with the ICOMOS Charter on theBuilt Vernacular Heritage in the early 2000s, discussions on vernacular earthen heritage in urban andagricultural settlement have been present throughout the Terra conferences since their inception in 1972.These events have played a key role in shaping discussions around vernacular earthen heritage,advocating for its conservation, and emphasizing the importance of integrating traditional knowledge withmodern preservation strategies. As part of its broader objective to assess trends and gaps in earthenheritage conservation and inform future strategic directions, the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI),through its Earthen Architecture Initiative (EAI), conducted a comprehensive review of 636 paperspresented at Terra conferences. This study examined the evolution of research and practice in the field,with vernacular earthen heritage representing just one of many key themes. Building on this extensivereview, this paper specifically analyses how vernacular earthen heritage has been represented in Terraconference discourse over time. Through a systematic examination of relevant papers, it identifiesconservation challenges, maps the geographic regions where this heritage has been most studied, andassesses evolving strategies for its protection. Additionally, it highlights how the Terra conferences havecontributed to raising awareness about vernacular heritage, fostering community participation inconservation efforts, and supporting the revitalization of historic earthen rural and urban centers.

Earthen heritage constitutes a significant yet vulnerable component of the world’s cultural legacy, encompassing archeological sites, historic monuments, vernacular buildings, and living cultural landscapes. Over the past five decades, approaches to its conservation have evolved in response to changing heritage paradigms. Since their inception in 1972, the international Terra events have played a pivotal role in shaping this field by providing a recurring platform for international exchange, knowledge production, and methodological development. This study aims to examine the shifts in research and practice through the lens of the Terra gatherings. Using a systematic review methodology conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 638 papers from thirteen Terra proceedings (1972–2022) were analyzed and classified by geographic focus, disciplinary background, knowledge area, heritage type, construction techniques, deterioration factors, and intervention methods. The findings reveal a clear transition from early material and monument-centered approaches toward more holistic, interdisciplinary, and people-centered frameworks, with increasing attention to vernacular heritage, cultural landscapes, heritage management, and capacity building. The analysis also identifies persistent regional imbalances, a strong link between conference location and geographic representation, and a growing focus in recent decades on sustainability, disaster risk reduction, and climate change. Overall, the study demonstrates how trends reflected within the Terra proceedings have evolved and contributed to the discourse in earthen heritage conservation.