Preservation of Russia’s Archaeological Heritage in the 2010s: New Realities

Abstract

The preservation of the archaeological heritage in Russia; the current state of this sphere; and the participation of the Russian Academy of Sciences and archaeology-related academic institutes in expert, scientific‒methodological, and practical activities associated with the preservation of antiquities are considered. Certain positive changes in this field are noted, such as an increase in the total archaeological fieldwork (by 5‒15% annually), mandatory archaeological examination of land sites, and rescue excavations on sites of the 17th‒19th centuries. The importance of the 2013‒2014 amendments to Federal Law no. 73-FZ, On Objects of Cultural Heritage (Historical and Cultural Heritage Sites) of the Peoples of the Russian Federation, is emphasized, as is that of other documents on proposals and standards formulated by the professional archaeological community. These documents specify a scientific basis for excavations, scientific control over archaeological fieldwork, and obligatory access for archeologists to sites on private lands. The deep involvement of RAS archaeological establishments in heritage preservation is emphasized.