The International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage, usually known by its acronym TICCIH, is an international society dedicated to the study of industrial archaeology

Industrial archaeology

Industrial archaeology, like other branches of archaeology, is the study of material culture from the past, but with a focus on industry. Strictly speaking, industrial archaeology includes sites from the earliest times to the most recent...

 and the protection, promotion and interpretation of the industrial heritage

Industrial heritage

Industrial heritage is an aspect of cultural heritage dealing specifically with the buildings and artifacts of industry which are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations, often forming a significant attraction for tourism.The...

. It is ICOMOS' scientific committee for industrial heritage.

Its period of interest extends forward from the start of the Industrial Revolution

Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times...

 and generally includes the material and documentary remains of manufacturing and extractive industry, transport and public service infrastructure. Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of industrial archaeology, it draws in enthusiasts and professionals from many fields.

TICCIH was founded after the First International Conference for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage in Ironbridge

Ironbridge

Ironbridge is a settlement on the River Severn, at the heart of the Ironbridge Gorge, in Shropshire, England. It lies in the civil parish of The Gorge, in the borough of Telford and Wrekin...

, England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

, in 1973. It holds a triennial conference of which next will be in Taipei

Taipei

Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...

, Taiwan

Taiwan

Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...

, in November, 2012. It is organized through a Board and President who are chosen by the National Representatives of the various national committees or associated societies. It has both individual members and national societies such as the North American Society for Industrial Archaeology (SIA), the French Comité d'information et de liaison pour l'archéologie, l'étude et la mise en valeur du patrimoine industriel (CILAC) or the British Association for Industrial Archaeology]] (AIA). Members receive the quarterly TICCIH Bulletin and a discount for the twice-yearly journal Patrimonie de l'industrie/Industrial Patrimony.

TICCIH has been ICOMOS’s specialist adviser on industrial heritage since 2000 and assesses industrial sites for the World Heritage List.