The National Institute for Archaeological Research (Institut national de recherches archéologiques, INRA)--formerly known as the Centre national de recherche archéologique--will have a new director from 1 February. David Weis will take over as head of this structure responsible for the inventory, study, protection and enhancement of Luxembourg’s archaeological heritage.

A graduate in European studies and ancient civilisations, Weis studied at Oxford University, the College of Europe in Natolin, the University of St Andrews, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Eberhard-Karls-Universität in Tübingen. In the past, he has held the position of deputy permanent representative / agent to the European Court of Human Rights. Since August 2023, Weis has been deputy director for political affairs and director for multilateralism, the Americas and Eastern Europe at the ministry of foreign and European affairs. He has previously served in Strasbourg (Council of Europe), Brussels (European Union) and New York.

“David Weis’ appointment reflects the spirit of continuity in this work, while further developing the INRA’s services for future opportunities in this field,” commented culture minister (DP). Weis will succeed Luxembourg archaeologist Foni Le Brun-Ricalens, who was appointed in March 2022.

At the end of 2024, the culture minister presented a bill to simplify procedures for the protection of architectural, archaeological and movable heritage. In 2023, the INRA undertook and supervised more than thirty archaeological operations and 76 diagnostic operations.

This article was originally published in .