Italian archaeological, anthropological and ethnological missions abroad

General information on funding by the Directorate General for the Promotion of “System Italy”

The Directorate General for the Promotion of “System Italy” has a long history of support for Italian archaeological, anthropological and ethnological missions abroad. These missions are not just a highly significant scientific and scholarly activity. They are also a precious instrument in the training of local workers and the transfer of technologies in a series of sectors such as archaeology, restoration and historic conservation in which Italy’s level of excellence is internationally acknowledged.

This activity also represents a commitment to make an active contribution to intercultural dialogue and development policies in numerous countries and geographic areas, even remote ones, where they are sometimes the sole Italian cultural presence.

Archaeological, anthropological and ethnological studies range from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. In addition to the traditional sector of the Greco–Roman world, research fields also include other historic periods and geographic contexts in the Near, Middle and Far East, Africa and Latin America.

Contributions to missions are assigned following an annual call for applications. The call is published from December each year on this website.