History

In the beginning of 1997, Miguel Lago, Henrique Pestana, Pedro Braga* and João Albergaria* considered that the emerging market related to the historical-archaeological heritage allowed for the appearance of business structures with possibilities of success. Through the creativity and freedom allowed in a business structure, it became possible to do Archaeology and think about Heritage in a different, more professional and innovative way, and with a greater social reach.

A profound transformation in Portuguese Archaeology was then taking place, resulting from several factors: changes in the environmental and heritage legislation, the socio-political repercussions resulting from the appearance of the rock art at Côa, and the autonomization of archaeology through the creation of IPA (Portuguese Institute for Archaeology).  Activities related to archaeology were emerging, although the lack of structures that could respond to the demands arising from the growing problems that this type of heritage raised in Portuguese society was obvious.

Archaeological activity was traditionally based on State services (institutes, museums, municipalities), in (State) universities and in some associations. Archaeologists were civil servants or professionals from other areas who, with personal effort and seasonally, carried out this activity. The State was responsible for matters concerning archaeological heritage, and in the Portuguese mentality, heritage issues are still today strongly marked by a statist attitude.

Since its foundation, ERA has considered that the management of Heritage should be framed by professional structures, with a strong capacity for innovation and rigor, moving in a demanding, competitive and correctly supervised market. This way, effective and advantageous answers can be given in a social environment increasingly concerned with the issues of our archaeological and historical heritage.

ERA is and will be a company committed to fulfilling its mission in the heritage area, investing, through thoughtful global management, in high ethical standards and technical and scientific quality, in a constant attitude of innovation, in the effectiveness of its response to customers and in the quality of its staff and employees.

* Has since left the company