French Society of Archaeology

Société Française d'Archéologie

Since the French Society of Archaeology (SFA) was founded in 1834, the term “archaeology” has evolved substantially over time. For the founding fathers of the SFA, archeology was simply the study of that which was old. These early antiquaries and researchers sought sites that dated to the Romans. Later members of the society became interested in the Middle Ages and other post-Roman eras and cultures.

The birth of the SFA was almost contemporary with that of the Superior Commission of the Historic Monuments. The goals of the Society were the knowledge, the study, and the conservation of the Historic Monuments. The systematic analysis of the monuments in the course of conservation or of restoration helped to preserve France’s rich religious culture and heritage.