State Inspection for Heritage Protection
Press Release
Preservation of archaeological heritage
in amendments to the Law on Protection of Cultural Monuments
On 23 January 2013, amendments to the Law on Protection of Cultural Monuments will come into
effect, which provide for substantial changes in the procedures governing protection of
archaeological heritage.
Why were the amendments necessary?
Archaeological heritage is a value for the society, and it includes constructions, buildings,
groups of buildings, improved areas, movable objects and items, as well as their context on land
and under water. It is a non-renewable source of history that belongs not only to the present
generation but also to future generations, which, with the improvement of technology, will have
better opportunities for studying it.
Latvia has joined the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological
Heritage. Its purpose is to protect archaeological heritage as a source of collective memory of
Europe and a means for historical and scientific studies.
People started to live in the territory of Latvia already 11 thousand years ago. There are
practically no written sources for the period before the 9th century. And the written sources
covering the period until the 17th century are insufficient to explain history. In Latvia, 2492
archaeological monuments have been included in the list of State protected cultural monuments,
but, like in other countries, each year new archaeological evidence is discovered in Latvia.
Archaeology is a branch of the science of history that studies history by using material
sources of history. Every archaeological site is a lead for studying history, therefore it is very
important to study the place of archaeological finds very carefully and document it according to
internationally accepted principles.
In recent years archaeological heritage is seriously threatened by the digging up of
archaeological sites facilitated by the use of metal detectors used for searching artefacts. By
removing artefacts and mixing layers of ground important information is destroyed. Heritage
experts are alarmed by the situation when finds are announced only after removal of artefacts from
the overall context of the site. The Inspection stresses that it is willing to engage in discussions
with all parties interested in this issue, to achieve the best possible solution for protection of
heritage.
Changes of the Law concerning ownership of found artefacts
From 23 January 2013, artefacts found in archaeological sites under ground, above ground or
under water (dating from 17th century or earlier) shall belong to the state. According to the
definition of the Law, artefacts are objects created by conscious human activity – items such as
jewellery, weapons, tools, household objects, ceramics, coins in intact form or as fragments, that
are found underground, above ground or under water. Archaeological sites are state protected
cultural monuments, and these can also include newly discovered sites, which shall be notified
according to the Law to the State Inspection for Heritage Protection. The amendments of the Law
define more precisely the existing notification procedure used for newly found objects that may
have historical, scientific, artistic or other cultural value. The notification period is shortened – the
Inspection shall be informed about a find in writing not later than five days after the finding, to
enable faster assessment of the archaeological importance of the site and reduce the threat of
destruction of the site.
In the future, artefacts found in archaeological sites will be stored in public museums due to their
value, to ensure that they are preserved and available to the public. The Law also prohibits
removal of artefacts owned by the state outside the Republic of Latvia.
Opportunity to notify about artefacts held in possession
In the light of the amendments of the law, to allow people to keep in their possession artefacts
already held by them, a transition period is planned, which will give the opportunity to inform the
state about artefacts owned by people. The provisions on the transitional period of the Law lay
down that the state’s ownership rights will not apply to artefacts for which a person will have
notified the State Inspection for Heritage Protection in writing by 30 March 2013.
This means that the owner (possessor) has an opportunity to declare the artefact by providing
information describing it (for example, a colour photo, information about the material of the
artefact, size in millimetres, the way it was obtained, possible dating, circumstances of finding,
place, time and other information). It is in the interests of the owner of the artefact to give this
information in a way that allows clear identification of the particular artefact to avoid
misunderstandings in the future. Information provided to the Inspection will not be publicly
available. The reporting obligation to does not apply to artefacts held in the National Museum
Collections.
Taking into consideration holidays, the declaration can be made by 2 April 2013 (postal stamp) by
mail and also in person at the Customer Service Centre of the Inspection in Riga, as well as in the
regional departments of the Inspection in Kuldīga, Cēsis and Rēzekne. To facilitate the process, a
declaration form and declaration guidelines will also be available at the Inspection.
For communication with media:
Katrīna Kukaine
katrina.kukaine@mantojums.lv
Tel. +371 67229272
Explanation of the amendments of the Law in the context of archaeological heritage:
Sandra Zirne
sandra.zirne@mantojums.lv
Tel. +371 67228503