Shall be considered to be elements of the archaeological heritage all remains and objects and any other traces of mankind from past epochs: - the preservation and study of which help to retrace the history of mankind and its relation with the natural environment; and - for which excavations or discoveries and other methods of research into mankind [..]

The "archaeological heritage" is that part of the material heritage in respect of which archaeological methods provide primary information. It comprises all vestiges of human existence and consists of places relating to all manifestations of human activity, abandoned structures, and remains of all kinds (including subterranean and [..]