Azkarate Garai-Olaun, Agustín

Agustín Azkarate Garai-Olaun (1953, Elorrio) is Professor of Archaeology at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), having graduated at the University of Zaragoza and obtained his doctorate at the UPV/EHU. He has been a professor at UNED (The National Distance Education University), Mondragón University and the UPV/EHU.

Professor Azkarate is Chief Researcher of the Built Heritage Research Group (GPAC) and director of the UNESCO Chair-Cultural Landscapes and Heritage at the University of the Basque Country.

His main line of research focuses on the assessment and management of immovable cultural heritage. His work on Santa María Cathedral in Vitoria-Gasteiz is widely acclaimed, whose master plan was awarded the 2002 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage and Outstanding Research, and the 2019 Archeological Heritage Prize of the European Association of Archeologists. EAA honored "Santa Maria Cathedral in Vitoria-Gasteiz OPEN FOR WORKS" project. The term "open for works" was created by Prof. Azkarate's team and it´s widely used internationally nowadays. 

Prof. Azkarate has authored or co-authored 12 books, 45 book chapters and 100 scientific articles, is founder and Executive Editor (2002-2008) of the journal "Architectural Archaeology", sits on several commissions and editorial boards for scientific journals and participates in national and international conferences.

He has led or co-led 30 research projects and an equal number of archaeological excavations: the Aldaieta necropolis; Labrador expedition; research into the Vascones and Franco-Aquitaine world; archaeological research into the Valle Salado de Salinas de Añana (Añana Saltworks Valley); Armentia Basilica; the city walls dating back to before the founding of Vitoria-Gasteiz and studies focussing on local-scale development in Uruguay and Argentina.

He has sat on the Basque Government and Social Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz Archaeology and Architecture Advisory Boards.

Among other awards, Agustín Azkarate Garai-Olaun received the 2005 City of Vitoria-Gasteiz Gold Medal Award.