This paper reviews the challenges and prospects of woodland archaeology across Europe and proposes a European network to safeguard archaeological heritage in woodlands. Woodlands and forests cover important parts of the European landmass but are often uncharted territory on the archaeological map since traditional methods of archaeological survey do not work well here. Many forests have grown on formerly open lands used for farming or settlement, and some forests have been used for charcoal burning and wood pasture. As a consequence they contain important archaeological remains that are often well preserved but little known and protected.
Recent developments in the field of remote sensing have opened up new avenues for important archaeological research in woodlands. However, the legal and administrative framework to protect archaeological sites is of equal importance. While the economical, recreational, and ecological dimensions of forests are commonly known and accepted, their archaeological dimensions are rarely recognized.