The Directorate of the Archive of Monuments and Publications of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, as an associate member of the consortium "European Network of Heritage Laboratories - Archives of European Archaeology", in the frame of RAPHAEL (EU - DG X), has undertaken to conduct research on the Greek archives relevant to the history and practice of archaeology. The aim of AREA is to create new possibilities for the promotion and preservation of the archives of European archaeology. Furthermore, the Ministry of Culture, after assessing the condition and importance of these archives, will endeavour to initiate a program on a national level for their conservation and presentation.