 |
The Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland#
The Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland is the central authority for protection and management of archaeological and architectural heritage in Iceland. The mission of the Agency, in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Act (no. 80/2012), is to safeguard the Icelandic cultural heritage and pass it on intact to future generations. To achieve this mission the main focus of the Agency is on in-situ preservation, and on increasing public awareness and access to the cultural heritage.
New legislation was passed in 2012 and came into force on 1 January 2013. The Act merged two organizations , the Archaeological Heritage Agency of Iceland and the National Architectural Heritage Board. The new organization is under Prime Minister's Office.
The Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland is an administrative body responsible for implementing cultural heritage preservation in accordance with the law of cultural heritage. The main roles of the instutions, according to law are to:
- monitor archeological remains, protected buildings and structures in the country,
- work on strategies for conservation of the cultural heritage along with specialist committees,
- regulate and supervise the registration of protected areas and protected heritage sites , buildings and structures,
- keep records of all listed archaeological remains, monuments in cemetaries, houses and structures,
 |
- make recommendations to the Minister for designation and its abolition,
- provisional/interim protection of houses, structures and remains if necessary,
- set rules and conditions for archaeological excavations and monitoring all archaeological investigations/research,
- discuss and grant permission for archaeological excavations,
- perform necessary investigations, such as rescue research and field surveys/trial excavations to confirm the extent and nature of remains,
- monitor and handle licensing for export of remains/artifacts to other countries,
- manage and allocate grants from the institions´s funds,
- monitor the progress of projects receiving grants,
- supervise the return of cultural goods to other countries,
- establish culture heritage councils in each heritage management area and be responsible for their activities.
The Cultural Heritage Agency´s headquarters is located in Reykjavik and in addition, the Agency has offices in Sauðárkrókur, Stykkishólmur, Egilsstaðir and Selfoss.
 |
All buildings, other manmade structures and archaeological remains that are 100 years old or older are automatically protected. In addition around 500 buildings and 800 archaeological sites have been specially designated / listed.
About 40 licenses for archaeological excavations have been published annually in recent years but the size and scope of the researches are vary considerably from year to year and somewhat follow the financial position/status of of the community.