Mologi: 152 archaeological research licenses were granted at the national level during the past four years – Algerian Dialogue

The Minister of Culture and Arts, Soria Moulouji, reported today, Monday in Algiers, that her sector had granted 152 archaeological research licenses at archaeological sites at the national level during the past four years for the benefit of researchers and professors belonging to various universities and specialized research centers, with the aim of carrying out in-depth scientific excavations to explore the material cultural heritage of Algeria. And re-dating many Algerian archaeological sites.

Ms. Moulouji explained during her supervision of the opening of a national forum on “The Results of Archaeological Research in Algeria” (April 29-30) that her sector “has always facilitated and simplified the procedures for obtaining the necessary licenses for archaeological excavations and excavations at archaeological sites for all researchers and national and international scientific teams, in addition to… Providing logistical and technical support for these operations, as 152 licenses were granted during the last four years to researchers and professors belonging to various universities and specialized research centers.”

The Minister indicated that in order to preserve and document archaeological discoveries, “we are currently working on preparing a new protocol in order to facilitate the process of transferring and preserving cultural property found during archaeological excavations by granting special licenses to preserve these objects.”

Properties held by research laboratories affiliated with the higher education sector in order to complete specialized scientific studies to be added to the services provided by national museums and institutions under guardianship.”
In this context, she highlighted that “archaeological research has received real support under the wise directives of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and thus cultural heritage has assumed a prominent position to be a vital cultural pillar that comes at the top of the priorities of the Algerian state’s interests in order to preserve and value it.”

Regarding the field of international cooperation, the Minister stressed “working diligently to establish cultural diplomacy, with cultural heritage as one of its pillars, by inviting researchers and specialists from different cultures and nationalities to exchange knowledge and scientific expertise that would benefit from modern technologies in the field of archaeological research, in addition to working with various agencies.” National security and military organizations, regional and international organizations, are working to recover our looted cultural heritage through various legal mechanisms.”

Mrs. Mulji also stated that the Ministry of Culture provides “through various book support agencies opportunities for researchers to publish the results of their scientific work, and also opens the way for enhancing international cooperation in the field of archaeological research by exchanging knowledge and experiences with other countries, organizing international seminars and conferences, and exchanging data and research resources.” .

The Minister added, on the other hand, that “several operations were recorded during the various development programs related to the study of the restoration and protection of monuments and archaeological sites across the national territory, as “42 operations were recorded during the period extending from 2019 to 2024, with a total amount estimated at 2.3 billion dinars.” , noting that “the freeze on 13 operations related to the restoration of monuments and archaeological sites has been lifted.”

The Ministry of Culture and Arts also worked – adds Ms. Mulji – to “restore and rehabilitate 17 ancient and nationally classified mosques and to complete studies related to the restoration.”

6 other mosques.”
The opening session of the first day of this forum, which was attended by the Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Mokhtar Didouch, the Minister of Environment and Renewable Energies, Fazia Dahlab, as well as the Director of the National Institute for Comprehensive Strategic Studies, Abdel Aziz Mujahid, and officials and representatives of various security sectors, was marked by the signing of a framework agreement between the Ministry of Culture. And the Arts and the Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energies, in addition to honoring a group of researchers in the field of archaeology with the “Archaeological Researcher Medal,” such as Muhammad Sahnouni, Suleiman Hashi, Ibrahim Bourahli, Ahmed Nouh, Dalila Sanhaji, the late Lakhdar Derias and Abdel Qader Haddouche, and this is in return for their efforts in the field. Archaeological research and training generations of researchers in the field.

The National Forum “Results of Archaeological Research in Algeria,” organized within the framework of the Heritage Month program (April 18 – May 18), which this year carries the slogan “Cultural Heritage and Risk Management in Times of Crises and Natural Disasters,” highlights the results of the research of scientists and researchers from various universities and research centers. Under the guardianship of the Ministry of Culture and Arts and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.