The Arko archaeological map: exploring European heritage through time

Arko The App
2 hours ago
3 min read

With Arko, European archaeology becomes more understandable, more accessible, and closer to everyone. Designed as a tool for discovery and transmission, Arko's archaeological map aims to inventory and promote archaeological sites in Europe and the Mediterranean basin, from the Paleolithic era to the year 1000. It is intended for the curious, heritage enthusiasts, and travelers who want to add historical depth to their trips.

An archaeological map for understanding history in space

Each site is identified by pictograms corresponding to major chronological periods: Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Antiquity, Early Middle Ages to facilitate immediate reading and understanding of the map. At a glance, users can grasp the density and diversity of a region's archaeological heritage.

A European and Mediterranean inventory

Today, Arko covers 15 countries and lists more than 2,000 archaeological sites. This inventory includes both major iconic sites and more discreet remains, sometimes unknown to the general public: decorated caves, megaliths, oppida, ancient sanctuaries, Roman cities, and early medieval sites.

This deliberately broad approach makes it possible to move beyond an elitist or monumental view of archaeology. Arko highlights a heritage that is often close to home, embedded in the landscapes of everyday life.

Discover, understand, plan

Arko's archaeological map is not just a reference tool: it is designed to be an active discovery tool. It allows you to:

locate major sites during a trip,
identify smaller heritage sites near your home,

Whether you are planning a cultural trip, a historical hike, or simply satisfying your personal curiosity, Arko offers a clear and structured gateway to European and Mediterranean archaeological heritage.

Arko is also an archaeological blog for the general public

In addition to the map, Arko offers a blog dedicated to archaeology, with concise, accessible, and rigorously documented articles. Each article aims to contextualize the sites, explain their importance, and place them within the broader historical and cultural context.

The goal is not to produce an academic discourse, but to make archaeology understandable and attractive, without oversimplifying it. This content accompanies the map and allows users to further explore the sites listed.

Preserving fragile heritage: an essential commitment

Archaeological sites are unique and extremely fragile witnesses to the past. Their preservation determines our collective ability to understand the history of ancient societies.

When visiting these sites, it is essential to behave respectfully:

stay on marked paths,
avoid walking on visible structures, walls, or remains,
never move or remove stones or objects.

Prospecting and detection on archaeological sites are prohibited. These practices can cause irreversible damage and permanently deprive the scientific community—as well as the general public—of information that is essential to understanding the sites concerned. Protecting the remains means ensuring their transmission to future generations.

Safety and access: preparing for your visits

Another point to bear in mind is site accessibility. Many of the archaeological sites listed on Arko are located in isolated areas, sometimes accessible only by footpaths.

Before any visit:

clearly identify authorized parking areas,
find out about access conditions,
do not take impassable or unmarked paths.

Good preparation is essential to fully enjoy the visit, while respecting the site and ensuring safety.

An invitation to explore differently

With its archaeological map and blog, Arko offers a new way of approaching heritage: comprehensive, geographical, and chronological. By making thousands of sites across Europe and the Mediterranean basin visible, Arko invites everyone to explore the past where it really belongs: in the landscapes, territories, and places we still pass through today.

👉 Discover the archaeological map and articles on https://www.arko-app.com/