Johannes VALENTA1 | Stefanie ZECHA2
(1ArchIV – Archäologische Informationsverarbeitung J. Valenta, München | 2Katholische Universität Eichstätt (Geographiedidaktik), Eichstätt, Germany)

Keywords: public relations, heritage sites, geocacching, archaeology, heritage conservation

Abstract:
Disseminating information about heritage sites in interesting and enjoyable ways contributes to the development of their public appreciation. Geocaching can help attracting new audiences to historical features.This paper examines a new type of cache -The Heritage Cache- and its benefits. In comparison to normal geocaches, it does not have a cachebox. Learning about the monument or heritage site itself by solving tasks directly related to its location is the treasure to be found. This provides engaging and often adventurous opportunities to learn about historical features in non-formal settings. Various international studies have shown that the non-formal learning process includes 60-80% of the total process of learning (OECD, 1977; Laura-Ernst 1998).
Before anybody can log the find of a cache, the completed tasks have to be reviewed and approved by the cache owner. This implies profound scientific supervision and maintenance both of the content and the design of the on-site assignments which should address different levels of the user’s background knowledge on history.
Heritage Caches, among others have to conform to the following criteria:

  1. Caches must offer a science lesson about historical monuments
  2. Caches must be educational. The cache page, including the description and logging tasks, must assume a basic knowledge of preservation of historical monuments.
  3. Caches must be developed to provide “a unique experience of the feature”.

The authors will present findings of a Heritage Cache pilot project along the Upper German-Raetian Limes in Bavaria.