THEMATIC CLASSIFICATION

This classification is based on the ICOMOS-ICOM Cultural Heritage Thesaurus, developed in the 1980’s with the support of UNESCO and used by the ICOMOS Documentation Centre for indexation. For the purposes of the ICOMOS Open Archive, this classification has been reorganized and improved using the thematic lists developed in 2010 for the ICOMOS Membership Database, known as the Gilles Nourissier Database.

A. THEORETICAL AND GENERAL ASPECTS

• Generalities
• Concept and definition
• Art History
• History
• History of archaeology
• History of architecture
• History of conservation
• Philosophy of conservation
• Theory of archaeology
• Theory of architecture
• Theory of conservation
• Theory of restoration
• Theory of town planning
• Other

B. ARCHAEOLOGY

• Generalities
• Archaeological site and remains
• Archaeological excavations
• Archaeological finds
• Archaeological research
• Urban archaeological site
• Underwater archaeology
• Underwater archaeological site
• Prehistoric art
• Prehistoric site
• Rock art
• Rock art site
• Rock engraving
• Rock painting
• Other

C. ARCHITECTURE

• Generalities
• Building typologies
• Styles of architecture
• Building materials
• Building techniques
• Structures of buildings
• Decorations and ornaments
• Wall paintings
• Movable cultural property
• Other

D. URBANISM

• Generalities
• Urban planning
• Town and country planning
• Rehabilitation
• Legislation
• Other

E. CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION

• Generalities
• Theory and doctrinal texts
• Monuments
• Groups of buildings
• Sites
• Techniques
• Management
• Monitoring
• Social and economic aspects of conservation
• Education and training
• Legal protection and Administration
• Other

F. SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES AND METHODOLOGIES OF CONSERVATION

• Generalities
• Aerial archaeology
• Aerial photogrammetry
• Aerial photography
• Aerial surveys
• Analysis of materials
• Archaeological dating
• Archaeological surveys
• Archaeometry
• Architectural surveys
• Artificial ageing tests
• Biochemical analysis
• Chemical analysis
• Comparative analysis
• Cost/Benefit analysis
• Demographic surveys
• Dendrochronology
• Destructive testings
• Economic surveys
• Epigraphy
• Excavation techniques
• Freeze-drying
• Freeze-Thaw tests
• Gamma Ray analysis
• Heritage documentation
• Historical surveys
• Iconographic analysis
• Infra red analysis
• Laboratory tests
• Lifting of wrecks
• Magnetic surveys
• Materials testing
• Mechanical tests
• Microanalysis
• Mineralogical analysis
• Non-Destructive testing
• Petrographical analysis
• Photogrammetric surveys
• Photogrammetrical plotting
• Photogrammetry
• Photographic surveys
• Qualitative analysis
• Quantitative analysis
• Recording techniques
• Rescue archaeology
• Seismic surveys
• Social surveys
• Soil surveys
• Spot tests
• Statistical analysis
• Stratigraphical analysis
• Structural surveys
• Stylistic analysis
• Topographical surveys
• Typological analysis
• Underwater photogrammetry
• Underwater photography
• Urban fabric analysis
• Volumetric analysis
• X-Ray analysis
• Other

G. DETERIORATION

• Generalities
• Causes of deterioration
• Climate change
• Effects of deterioration
• Prevention of deterioration
• Other

H. HERITAGE TYPOLOGIES

• Generalities
• Agricultural heritage
• Archaeological sites
• Architectural ensembles
• Collections (movable)
• Cultural landscapes
• Cultural routes
• Heritage canals
• Historic buildings
• Historic gardens
• Historic landscapes
• Historic towns and villages
• Historic town centres
• Historic urban landscapes
• Human settlements
• Industrial and technical heritage
• Intangible cultural heritage
• Mixed sites
• Natural sites
• Polar heritage
• Prehistoric sites
• Rock art
• Scientific heritage
• Significant personalities (heritage related to-)
• Underwater cultural heritage
• Urban Settlements
• Vernacular architecture
• World Heritage
• Other

I. CULTURAL TOURISM

• Generalities
• Tourism management
• Tourist industry
• Sustainable tourism
• Tourism impact
• Types of tourism (urban, rural, religious …)
• Carrying capacity and visitors flow
• Tourist surveys
• Other

J. HERITAGE ECONOMICS

• Generalities
• Economic impact of heritage
• Economic values of heritage
• Methodologies of evaluation
• Heritage and sustainable development
• Other

K. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

• Generalities
• International legislation
• National/Regional legislations
• Comparative analysis
• International organizations
• Doctrinal texts, conventions and charters
• Inventories
• Other

L. PRESENTATION AND TRANSMISSION OF HERITAGE

• Generalities
• Interpretation
• Presentation
• Public awareness
• Dissemination
• Musealization
• Education
• Children
• Youth
• Other

M. WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION

• Generalities
• World Cultural and Natural Heritage
• World Heritage List
• World Heritage in Danger
• Criteria
• Operational guidelines
• Management plan
• Monitoring
• Nomination file
• Advisory body
• Tentative list
• Other

N. ANTHROPOLOGY

• Generalities
• Ethnography
• Ethnology
• Other

O. INTANGIBLE HERITAGE

• Generalities
• Oral traditions and expressions (including language)
• Performing arts
• Social practices, rituals and festive events
• Traditional craftsmanship
• Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe
• Other

O. GEOGRAPHIC AREAS

• Americas
• Africa
• Arctic and Antarctic regions
• Asia and Pacific islands
• Europe