Statement by the Organising Committee on ethical, regulatory, and contested heritage contexts

The Organising Committee of the International Symposium of Archaeometry (ISA 2026) is aware that some scientific contributions presented at the conference may address archaeological materials, sites, or datasets originating from regions affected by territorial conflicts or situations of contested sovereignty.

To ensure scientific rigour, transparency, and institutional responsibility, the Committee sets out below the principles and procedures that guide the organisation of the Symposium under such circumstances.

1. Scientific evaluation and scope of the International Symposium of Archaeometry (ISA)

The International Symposium of Archaeometry is a scientific forum for discussing analytical methods, data interpretation, and interdisciplinary research on cultural heritage.

The scientific evaluation of abstracts and submissions is the responsibility of the ISA Standing Committee (SC) and is conducted solely on the basis of scientific merit.

2. No political or legal recognition implied

The acceptance and presentation of a contribution at ISA 2026 does not constitute recognition, endorsement, or legitimisation of any territorial claims, political positions, institutional authorities, or funding bodies related to the areas or materials under discussion.

3. Roles and responsibilities of the Organising Committee

The ISA 2026 Local Organising Committee (OC) is responsible for ensuring a welcoming, inclusive, and safe setting for all participants in the 45th International Symposium on Archaeometry to be held in Turin, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or career stage.

In fulfilling this responsibility, the OC undertakes to adopt practices aimed at preventing situations that may conflict with national and international regulations and the ethical standards respected by the institutions represented within the Committee.

4. Legal and ethical models

The OC confirms its commitment to international legal instruments for the protection of cultural heritage, including the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (The Hague Convention) and its related protocols.

In the context of ongoing international developments, ISA 2026 pays particular attention to the ethical and compliance-related implications of the provenance of materials, the historical background of their acquisition, institutional affiliations, and funding sources.

5. Disclosure and provenance of materials

Authors are encouraged to showcase transparency by detailing:

the provenance of the materials analysed,
the historical and executive context of their acquisition,
the legal and ethical models applicable to their research.

6. Handling of reasonable doubts

In cases of reasonable doubt concerning provenance, ownership, or compliance with applicable ethical standards, the OC promotes disclosure, contextualisation, and open scientific dialogue.

Any reported concerns will be taken seriously and dealt with promptly by designated members of the OC.

7. Distinction between researchers and institutions

The OC recognises the distinction between individual researchers and the institutions or political entities with which they may be affiliated, and supports the principle that scientific exchange, when carried out transparently and responsibly, is a fundamental tool for knowledge production, critical assessment, and international dialogue.

8. Measures and editorial oversight

The ISA 2026 OC reserves the right, at any time, to take appropriate measures, including requesting clarifications, applying editorial conditions (such as disclaimers or context-related notes) in consultation with the author(s), or, where necessary, rejecting contributions or removing them from the Book of Abstracts, should a contribution be found to be in conflict with the principles outlined above.

In situations where an institutional affiliation may raise ethical, legal, or regulatory concerns — for example in contexts of contested sovereignty or ongoing conflict — the Committee may consider proportional editorial measures. These may include, where appropriate, the acceptance of the individual researcher’s contribution while requesting the removal or modification of the institutional affiliation in the programme, abstracts and presentations, in order to avoid any implicit institutional or political legitimisation.

FAQ on Ethical and regulatory issues

Procedures · What is the process for reporting concerns or doubts about provenance or compliance?

Any participant, attendee, or individual involved in ISA 2026 activities may raise concerns regarding the provenance of materials, the conditions of their acquisition, or compliance with applicable ethical and regulatory frameworks.

Concerns should be submitted in writing to the ISA 2026 Organising Committee through the designated contact channels. Reports will be handled confidentially and assessed by a small group of designated Committee members.
The process may involve requesting clarifications from the authors, reviewing documentation, or consulting relevant institutional or legal expertise. The aim is to ensure transparency and proportionality, not to presume misconduct.

Examples · Can you provide examples of situations that would trigger editorial conditions or rejection?

Editorial conditions or, in more serious cases, rejection may be considered in situations such as:

lack of clarity regarding the current location or administrative holder of the materials analysed;
absence of information on the date and context of acquisition of samples from regions affected by conflict or contested sovereignty;
use of terminology or framing that implicitly presents a contested territorial or institutional authority as unproblematic or internationally recognised;
evidence that data derives from activities conducted in violation of applicable laws or international conventions.

Measures are always proportional and may include requests for clarification, the introduction of disclaimers or contextual notes, or, where necessary, rejection or removal from the Book of Abstracts.

Support · What support is available for authors unsure about the ethical or legal status of their materials?

ISA 2026 recognises that authors may not always have full visibility over the legal or ethical history of the materials they study, especially in complex or long-term research contexts.

Authors are encouraged to contact the Organising Committee proactively if they have doubts regarding provenance, acquisition, or compliance. The Committee can provide guidance on best practices for disclosure, contextualisation, and transparent presentation, helping authors to align their contributions with international ethical standards without compromising scientific content.

Clarification · How will the distinction between individual researchers and their institutions be handled in practice?

The Organising Committee explicitly distinguishes between individual researchers and the institutions or political entities with which they may be affiliated. Decisions regarding abstracts and contributions are based on the scientific content of the work, the provenance and handling of data, and compliance with applicable ethical and regulatory frameworks, rather than on the nationality of the authors.

Such measures are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are intended to preserve scientific exchange while ensuring transparency and institutional responsibility. They do not constitute a judgement on the individual researcher, but rather an editorial safeguard applied to the specific context of the contribution.