Preserving the archaeological heritage in the 2010s: The new realities

Abstract

The paper examines the issue of preserving archaeological heritage in Russia and also looks at the current state of the field and the role that the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) and research institutes play in providing expertise, methodological improvement, and practical work to preserve antiquities. There have been a number of positive developments in this area: the overall volume of archaeological work has seen a 5%–15% annual increase, and mandatory archaeological inspection of land plots and rescue excavations at 17th–19th century sites have been introduced. Of special importance were the amendments to Federal Law №73-FZ On objects of cultural heritage (monuments of history and culture) of the peoples of the Russian Federation. Adopted in 2013–2014, these amendments, together with similar changes to related documents, included norms formulated and suggestions advanced by professional archaeologists. The amended regulations make provisions for the scholarly basis of excavations and for the control researchers have over archaeological fieldwork, as well as for mandatory access for archaeologists to sites currently in private hands. It is noted that research institutions of the RAS in the field of archaeology are deeply involved in many aspects of work dealing with heritage preservation.