Archaeological sites constitute one of the main tourist attractions in the heritage offerings of most populations. Their ability to convey the ways of life and construction techniques of past societies through physical remains positions them as a culturally significant alternative for visitors. However, their physical conservation, essential for efficiently ensuring information with precision, poses a serious challenge for the various professionals involved, as numerous social and anthropic risks threaten long-term preservation for the enjoyment of future generations. Of all traditional building materials, earth is undoubtedly one of the most fragile and sensitive to loss in the absence of the original protection systems, so that a precise assessment of its threats is essential to minimizing the destruction of these non-renewable assets. The objective of this study is to evaluate the most determining human risk factors within the territorial scope of the Iberian Peninsula, including aspects such as its musealization, suitable interpretation, visit planning, agricultural land use, vandalism and rural depopulation. This is achieved through a literature review and on-site data collection from 85 archaeological sites, as well as the development of an analysis tool to assess the degree of vulnerability, aiming to develop prevention measures.

In recent years, special attention has been paid to the lessons in sustainability offered by traditional and vernacular architecture, especially with regards to the promotion of both material and technical production in earthen construction. However, these systems were already widely found in past societies, whose legacy in terms of construction is presented through the complex cultural framework of archaeological sites, which require highly variable work that lacks professional consensus, usually transcending the adaptive and sustainable nature originally observed. This dual nature aids the social operation of these scenarios and can prematurely hinder earthen construction’s life cycle and didactic quality, cementing its status as a necessary reflection for the identification and prevention of future problems. In terms of sustainability, the aim of this study is to analyze the spectrum of architectural interventions used for the preservation of earthen structures in archaeological sites in the Iberian Peninsula, in natural, social, and economic terms, while examining their capacity to adapt in the face of adverse phenomena. For this reason, following bibliographical review and fieldwork collection, a database was established combining a series of architectural characteristics and a history of interventions in 85 selected archaeological sites conserved in situ. Following reflection on these sites, maps were drawn up to show the geographical scope of these principles and offer a general overview of perspectives, highlighting the aspects deserving of varying levels of attention, as well as proposing strategies for sustainable preservation which will allow its transmission over time for the scientific and cultural enjoyment of coming generations.

For past societies on the Iberian Peninsula, one of the most prolific architectures was earthen construction, with a wealth of typologies and solutions derived from the legacy of local construction and materials. However, its study within the field of archaeology has been limited. The challenges posed by conservation, archaeological identification and social recognition have traditionally limited the dissemination of this type of architecture. Its low profile is perceived as fragile once the original protections collapse. The ethnological information preserved and linked to past ways of life and societies is crucial to the interpretation of the cultural development handed down over generations by different communities and now transmitted to the general public through archaeological sites. This research aims to provide an overview of the main earthen vestiges from domestic, productive and funerary architecture dating from the prehistoric, protohistoric, Roman and medieval periods. For this, a bibliographical review and data collection through fieldwork were conducted for numerous case studies. These included the classification of materials, compositions and construction techniques, creating an integrated comprehensive database with information on geography, measurements and the general state of conservation.

Earthen constructions are one of the most widespread and fragile elements of the architectural heritage of the Iberian Peninsula. This situation is worsened when they lack the necessary protection and are found in vulnerable enclaves such as archaeological sites. Their geographical, cultural and constructive particularities expose them to different risks – natural, social and anthropic – which threaten their conservation and interpretation for future generations. This study aims to examine this type of heritage complex in constructive terms, focusing on constructions of a domestic and productive nature and paying special attention to those from prehistoric, protohistoric and Roman periods. Attention is also paid to later similar remains conserved. Quantitative and qualitative analysis methodologies are applied to a series of case studies found throughout the Iberian Peninsula in order to record the information on fiches examining general and specific aspects of the different techniques observed. Given the broad timeline and geography covered, as well as other identification and conservation factors, the data collected reflect a predominance of adobe over other earthen techniques which are also described, including daub, cob and rammed earth, with fewer examples identified throughout. This heritage is therefore classified to record the original states compiled from the different archives, reports and publications. Subsequently, a specific database is generated for the analysis of risks (exposure and sensitivity) and criteria, strategies or results (capacity for adaptation), gleaning as much information as possible from these characteristics.

La conservación del patrimonio cultural es una responsabilidad colectiva que requiere fomentar la educación entre las generaciones más jóvenes, para lo cual es necesario favorecer el desarrollo de un sentimiento de vinculación. Con este objetivo, el presente texto analiza la aplicación de la Investigación Acción Participativa (IAP) como herramienta metodológica para generar conciencia social y vinculación con el patrimonio cultural. Aprovechando el marco del proyecto de investigación europeo ENACT-15mC, se presenta la aplicación en dos contextos formativos distintos: el Máster Habilitante de Arquitectura de la Universitat Politècnica de València y el ciclo superior de Formación Profesional de la Escuela de Artesanos de Valencia. Además de documentar y diagnosticar la crítica situación de los comercios emblemáticos del distrito de Ciutat Vella (Valencia), ha sido posible fomentar el desarrollo de una vinculación directa entre el alumnado y su propio patrimonio cultural, así como desarrollar cierto pensamiento crítico y compromiso con una realidad social próxima. En este sentido, los resultados evidencian el potencial de esta metodología para transformar la educación en una experiencia significativa, fomentando un sentido de pertenencia y responsabilidad colectiva indispensable para la protección del patrimonio cultural.

Despite the widespread imposition of other types of industrial lime, the recovery of hot-mixed lime techniques is of interest both in its application in historic heritage interventions and its possible application in contemporary constructions. This article aims to contribute to this recovery through an initial phase of application to construction through the execution of reinforced rammed earth walls and test samples, providing conclusions on the practical implications of this traditional lime-slaking method. These test samples executions were then followed by a second phase of compression tests, incorporating further tests on samples of hot-mixed lime, air lime and hydraulic lime at different points in time. Thus, initial conclusions were established on the effect of hot-mixed lime on mechanical properties and their evolution over time compared to other industrial limes. Although the traditional method for slaking quicklime and its use in construction as hot-mixed lime is relatively straightforward, it is necessary to control its correct slaking and apply certain safety measures. The use of hot-mixed lime in reinforced rammed earth walls presents a slightly higher mean compressive strength than those which use slaked air lime and a mean compressive strength similar to that obtained with slaked hydraulic lime in initial phases, although it appears to be conditioned by the form of quicklime used. Based on these contributions the viable use of hot-mixed lime for construction or intervention in rammed earth walls is established and proves particularly advantageous in terms of structural advantages.