Martin Goffriller

Martin Goffriller is an archaeologist and heritage management practitioner with a Ph.D. in Archaeology from the University of Exeter. His academic and professional career is marked by extensive work in the preservation and management of cultural heritage, with a particular focus on Spain, the Middle East and Central Asia.

During his tenure with ArCHIAM (Architectural and Cultural Heritage of India, Arabia, and the Maghreb), Dr. Goffriller contributed to several high-profile heritage management projects aimed at documenting, preserving, and revitalizing culturally significant sites. ArCHIAM’s mission centres on the sustainable preservation of cultural heritage through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates architectural conservation, landscape management, and community involvement. Dr. Goffriller was involved in over a dozen conservation projects across Oman and the GCC region, including the Bahla UNESCO World Heritage Site, where he was involved in the conservation of traditional oases communities and their earthen architecture.

His work extended to other regions as well, focusing on the deep sustainability of heritage sites by incorporating traditional knowledge and practices into modern conservation strategies. This approach was evident in his work on the documentation and preservation of fortifications and historical sites in Oman, where he emphasized stakeholder integration, community outreach, and education as core elements of heritage management. These efforts were designed to ensure that conservation projects not only preserved the physical structures but also supported the cultural and social fabric of the communities involved.

Currently, Dr. Goffriller is engaged in heritage management and archaeological research in Kazakhstan, where he is working on projects related to early urbanism and settlement patterns. While his current focus is on Central Asia, his extensive experience in Oman, Morrocco, India and other regions continues to inform his approach to heritage management and notions of deep sustainability.

• Military/defensive architecture
• Islamic art and culture
• Traditional architectural technology
• Tribalism and tribal identities
• Landscape archaeology
• Sustainable urbanism
• Architectural reconstruction