Remainare

Remainare is a neologism used in discussions of heritage conservation and archaeology to describe the principle and practice of keeping artifacts, remains, or sites in situ—that is, in their original location and context—whenever feasible, rather than removing them for relocation, laboratory analysis, or storage. The term emphasizes the value of contextual information and ecological integrity in understanding past and present environments.

Origin and usage: The word appears in scholarly writings from the early 2010s onward as a constructed term to express a guiding stance within debates about conservation ethics and research access. It is not universally adopted, and its definition can vary by discipline.

Definition and scope: Remainare encompasses decisions at field and collection levels, including whether to stabilize, fence, or monitor a site, and under what conditions artifacts may be excavated or sampled. It is applied across archaeology, paleontology, cultural landscapes, and environmental heritage.

Methods and practices: Core techniques center on non-invasive surveying, documentation, and monitoring. Methods include photogrammetry, 3D mapping, environmental recording, and long-term stewardship plans that specify access, monitoring, and potential future analysis should in situ preservation become untenable.

Limitations and debate: Critics argue that strict in situ approaches can restrict scientific sampling, impede public access, or expose materials to deterioration. Proponents counter that remainare preserves crucial contextual data and respects the material's integrity within its ecosystem or historical setting.

See also: In situ preservation, Conservation ethics, Heritage management.