International Association of Classical Archaeology
The International Association of Classical Archaeology (AIAC — Associazione Internazionale di Archeologia Classica) is the world’s leading scholarly body dedicated to the study and protection of the archaeological heritage of the Greco-Roman world. Founded in Rome in 1945, it unites archaeologists, academics, and heritage professionals from across the globe and organises the International Congress of Classical Archaeology every four years. Its permanent secretariat is based in Rome, at the heart of the city that has inspired classical scholarship since the Renaissance.
At a glance
- Type
- International scholarly association
- Period
- Founded 1945
- Style
- Non-profit academic organisation
- Location
- Rome, Italy
- Coordinates
- 41.8954° N, 12.4806° E
Overview
The International Association of Classical Archaeology, known by its Italian acronym AIAC, was established in Rome in 1945 in the immediate aftermath of World War II, with the mission of fostering international cooperation in the study, excavation, and protection of ancient Greek and Roman sites. It operates as an umbrella organisation for national committees and individual scholars across more than sixty countries. The association publishes research, supports fieldwork, and advocates for the preservation of classical heritage within international policy bodies including UNESCO.
History
AIAC was founded in Rome on the initiative of leading European and American archaeologists who recognised that international coordination was essential to rebuild classical studies after the destruction of the war years. Rome was chosen as the permanent seat given its unrivalled concentration of classical monuments, foreign academies, and research libraries. Over the following decades the association grew from a small European nucleus into a global network spanning every continent where Greco-Roman archaeology is practised. The quadrennial International Congress of Classical Archaeology, which AIAC organises, has been held in cities from Athens to Bonn to Valencia, bringing together thousands of scholars to present the latest fieldwork and research.
What you see
AIAC’s Rome secretariat occupies offices within the scholarly district near the Palatine Hill and the forums, surrounded by the very monuments its members dedicate their careers to studying. The association does not maintain a public museum, but it operates an important online resource — the Fasti Online database — which provides open-access records of archaeological fieldwork projects carried out throughout the Mediterranean world. Visiting scholars and students can access its publications archive and congress proceedings through affiliated research libraries across Rome.
Cultural significance
As the oldest and largest international body devoted specifically to classical archaeology, AIAC plays a defining role in setting methodological standards, promoting ethical excavation practices, and safeguarding threatened sites from looting and urban development. Its Fasti Online platform has become an indispensable reference for heritage managers, policy makers, and academics tracking the state of classical sites across more than thirty countries.
Practical information
The AIAC secretariat is located in Rome; contact details and membership information are available on the official website at aiac.org. The association welcomes membership applications from individuals and institutions engaged in classical archaeology. Check the official website for current congress dates and calls for papers.
Getting there
Rome is served by two international airports: Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA). The city centre is accessible by the Leonardo Express train from Fiumicino to Roma Termini, or by regional train and bus from Ciampino. Rome’s extensive metro, bus, and tram network connects all major academic and heritage districts. The area around the Roman Forum and Palatine — heart of classical Rome — is served by Metro Line B (Colosseo stop).
Sources & resources
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