Sustainability as an Intrinsic Quality of Archaeological Intervention: The Conservation and Enhancement of the Roman Amphitheatre of Ammaia, Portugal

Abstract

This paper argues that architectural intervention in heritage contexts—and particularly in archaeological settings—is not merely compatible with sustainability but can, by virtue of the inherent logic of archaeological practice, constitute a naturally and intrinsically sustainable form of intervention. The argument is structured around a tripartite operational framework that mirrors the fundamental purposes of heritage stewardship: Knowing (through excavation and systematic documentation), Protecting (through conservation and structural stabilization), and Enhancing (through valorization, interpretation, and public engagement). Each of these stages, when properly executed, embodies principles of sustainability—minimizing waste, respecting material authenticity, extending the useful life of existing fabric, and fostering cultural continuity without imposing irreversible transformations.