The Principality of Liechtenstein can look back on a long archeological tradition. Especially in the last 20 years, the country has obligated itself to scientifically research, document, publish, and maintain archeological finds and findings, through the ratification of the "European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage" (1976) and the "European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Revised)" (1997).

The Alpine Rhine Valley is part of a significant trade route leading from southern Germany over the Alpine passes to the South. For this reason among others, people have repeatedly left their marks since the later Stone Age in the territory of what is now the Principality of Liechtenstein.

The beginnings of comprehensive archeological examinations in Liechtenstein date from the time of the village fire of Schaan in 1849, when old walls were uncovered and documented near the Chapel of St. Peter, during reconstruction of the neighborhood damaged by fire. These walls were ascribed to a "Roman Station". From 1893 to 1896, National Administrator Friedrich Stellwag von Carion led the first scientific excavation in Liechtenstein, in the area of the Roman villa in Nendeln. Since its founding in 1901, the Historical Society of the Principality of Liechtenstein conducted archeological research in accordance with the objectives laid down in its statutes. Until the enactment of the first Historical Preservation Act in 1944, it took charge of Liechtenstein archeology itself; in subsequent decades, it did so with State support and the legislative mandate of the Government. Between 1940 and 1965, Liechtenstein archeology experienced its first blossoming. During this period, the prehistoric discovery sites "Lutzengüetle", "Borscht", "Malanser", "Schneller", and "Krüppel" as well as the Roman fortress in Schaan, which were already well-known far beyond the region, were excavated in part and published in preliminary reports.

Today, archeology and the preservation of historic sites are the responsibility of a division of the Building and Fire Authority. The Cultural Heritage Division has developed into a research office which autonomously performs all tasks of archeological interest in Liechtenstein. Monitoring construction activity is one of its main responsibilities. Emergency archeological excavations are only undertaken when sites are directly endangered by public or private construction. Archeological attention is focused on all eras, from pre-history to the age of industrialization. In parallel with time-consuming monitoring of construction activities, the inventory of found objects as well as evaluation and publication of completed excavation projects are pursued.

The offices and warehouses of the Liechtenstein Cultural Heritage Division are in a multipurpose building at Messinastrasse 5 in Triesen, where it also has a specially established restoration studio for the preservation of archeological finds.

Liechtenstein attaches great importance to the research,
documentation, and preservation of its rich archeological heritage