Cross-border co-creation of conservation perspectives for the archaeological sites Domus de Janas, Sardinia – Italy

Purpose: This article explores how co-design/co-creation among students and academics from different countries, as well as stakeholders, could contribute to providing archaeological conservation solutions for Sardinian pre-Nuragic sites called Domus de Janas. The sites are represented by rock-cut hypogeum tombs that constitute a unique heritage, but still not well preserved, interpreted and protected. Thus, the study presents the process and outcomes of co-creation work between UK (University of Portsmouth) and Italian (University of Cagliari) students and academics with the Villaperuccio and Pimentel councils and the site managers of Montessu, S’acqua Salida and Corongiu respectively.

Design/methodology/approach: The study introduces a co-creation workshop that aimed to develop archaeological conservation perspectives for the sites and focused on three themes: 1) accessibility, 2) material and structural conservation, and 3) interpretations, protection and musealisation. The workshop applied archival analysis methods to establish the values of the sites, as well as empirical architectural analysis to contextualise the established values within the contemporary physical context, and to identify the main issues that challenge these heritage assets. Focus groups with stakeholders followed by co-creation/co-design workshops were conducted to synthesise conservation strategies and concepts for the two selected sites.

Findings: Four interdisciplinary conceptual conservation proposals and restoration strategies were produced, driven by theoretical and practical understanding of the sites’ key cultural significance and values as well as conservation theories. The co-creation process and outputs are critically analysed to appraise their contribution to the sites’ significance, conservation and protection. Also, the study investigates the contribution of the co-creation activities to the participants’ interdisciplinary understanding of heritage conservation in the context of archaeology through exchanging knowledge and skills across borders. It was established that decay is an opportunity to promote the sites authenticity, while the landscape is a powerful context to be used as part of the revitalisation and musealisation strategies for a better visitor experience.

Originality/value: This study contributes original insights to the discourse of archaeological conservation and how architecture and design could be utilised as powerful tools to revitalise hidden values and narrative through co-creative processes. It highlights the original contribution of the young generation (students from multicultural backgrounds) to heritage conservation and revitalisation discourses by synthesising original proposals based on their collective values. This emphasises the need for wider inclusion and participation in conservation practices through the use of new engaging methods and tools.