In the period between 2003 and 2008 an action for scientific co-operatiom was funded by COST designated as "COST A27 Understanding pre-industrial structures in rural and mining landscapes (LANDMARKS)". As defined in the Memorandum of Understanding, the main objective of the Action is to identify and evaluate pre-industrial elements in the European landscape threatened by the abandonment of traditional agricultural and mining activities. These objectives are based on the essence that recovery of landscapes is part of the European Cultural Heritage and important for both research and creation of new resources.