Past Signs and Present memories was designed as a follow-up of this wider network, aiming to bridge, in the area of prehistoric art, the fields of archaeological research, at history and cultural information. The Institute pays a major attention to the project, as one of its main European priorities.

The experience in this kind of projects

The IPTomar has a long experience in activities related to the inventory, study, conservation and valorisation of the Heritage.

It runs B.A. and M.A. studies in Conservation and Restoration (with specialisation in Technology, Landscape Archaeology and Lusíada Art), Cultural Tourism and Landscape management (with specialisation in Landscape Archaeology and Landscape Monitoring).

Under the Socrates programme, of the E.U., the IPTomar organised, in 1998, 1999 and 2000, intensive courses on European Prehistoric Art, involving major European teaching and research units, namely the partners of the present application.

Together with CEIPHAR, it has published four (multilingual) volumes on European Prehistoric Art, a fith one currently being prepared.

The IPTomar also has expertise on data-base management of archaeological sites and contexts, namely using Access type and GIS applications, the Prehistory Centre having developed its own data-base programme (ArqSoft).

In the context of valorisation, the IPTomar has been and still is involved in several programmes related to scientific Museography (e.g. creation of Interpretation Centres of Archaeology for the wider public), with a specific focus on regional integrated development projects (in partnership with local authorities). This dimension is part of the project TEMPOAR (Territories, Mobility and Settlements in the Alto Ribatejo), approved by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture, and recognised by the Minister as being of "Cultural Interest".

Special attention is devoted to conservation issues. Particular attention is devoted to the youngsters. A special protocol has been signed between the IPTomar and a youth Association (ArqueoJovem), to run projects that will involve young people. National and international workcamps, summer school courses, other mobility programmes (e.g. EVS, of the European Commission), involve several hundreds of young volunteers every year. Furthermore, a protocol has been signed, involving also the Portuguese Secretary of State for Youth, whereby an Interpretation Centre of Archaeology will be runned mainly by and for young people.

• The Politecnic Intitute of Tomar is located in Tomar in an large, modern and well-equipped academic campus;
  
• It has about 180 lecturers and 3000 students; It integrates several Resource, Research and Development Centres;
  
• It is involved in several Co-operation Agreements with national and international teaching and research institutions from over 30 countries inthe five continents.

The Polytechnic of Tomar is a modern higher education institution, with Humanistic and Technological components, namely Culture and Management, Arts, Archaeology and Restoration, Cultural Tourism, Landscape Management, Photography and Design, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrotechnical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Communication and Management.

The History of the Polytechnic of Tomar has its beginning in 1973, when it was created by ministerial decree. As in the years after the conditions for its installation have not been created, just at the end of 1982 the installation of the Higher School of Technology of Tomar took place. In 1986, the first bachelor degrees were created and classes held in an old building of the historic centre of Tomar using laboratories located in several spots of the city. Finally, in 1992 it changed to a new campus with over 10 hectares.