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Territories with archaeological finds

NATIONAL HERITAGE CARE AND ARCHAEOLOGY

The archaeological component of cultural heritage, and its protection

Archaeological Heritage

Archaeological heritage (in the sense of the Malta Convention) comprises evidence and remains of human activity that carry unwritten information about the past.

This evidence can be both tangible and intangible, moveable and immovable. All elements of archaeological heritage carry cultural value; they are an inseparable part of the landscape and settlements, and help to define their character in a specific way.

Administration of Archaeological Heritage

This involves a form of cultural politics and specific management, which creates tools for its preservation and protection. It is concerned with the organisation of care for and handling of archaeological heritage, from its protection to rescue research and conservation of both movable and immovable discoveries. Archaeologists are aware that archaeological discoveries, and the territories in which they are found, possess different values for various groups in society. As part of the process of managing archaeological heritage, the archaeologist assesses its various values with the goal of preventative protection, ideally in its original location. In the process of responsible administration the archaeologist utilises all available legal regulations, including land-use planning, and all types of archaeological research.

Heritage Law

Act No. 20/1987 on Heritage Preservation is the fundamental legislative basis for the protection and management of archaeological heritage.

Malta Convention

This term refers to the Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage of Europe (International Convention no. 99/2000, as defined by Constitutional Act 395/2001).

Archaeological Heritage

Archaeological heritage is found on the territory of the entire Czech Republic, with the exception of areas that in the past were mined down to pre-quaternary strata.

Territories with Archaeological Finds

The term 'territory containing archaeological finds' (as used in Section 22, Clause 2 of Act No. 20/1987 on State Heritage Preservation) is defined as 'territory or location where archeological finds  (movable and/or immovable) were made, or a territory on which any archaeological finds have been registered,  or a territory where such finds could be reasonably expected, or at least could not be ruled out. The only territory that can be marked as not containing archaeological remains (i.e. potential finds), is a territory where it can be proven that all deposits from the quaternary period have been removed.

Archaeological Research: its components and forms

Archaeological Research

Archaeological research is a method of scientific discovery of the past of the lands we live in and their inhabitants, a tool for rescue and an instrument of protection of the archaeological heritage of the Czech Republic. It is carried out in the public interest and its results are public property.

Archaeological research is an integrated complex of specialised research and other work of experts, bringing scientific knowledge, acquisition, retention and documentation of archaeological finds and related information as part of the archaeological component of cultural heritage. Emphasis is placed on their original context, evaluation and interpretation of their historical, cultural and heritage value.

Archaeological Field Research

Archaeological field research relates to the gathering of new archaeological sources and data through fieldwork, e.g. by collection or excavation.

We distinguish two different types of fieldwork by their purpose:

  • Exploratory archaeological research (research archaeology)
  • Rescue archaeological research (rescue archaeology)

We further divide fieldwork by the invasiveness of the intervention:

  • Non-destructive
  • Partially destructive
  • Destructive

We can also classify fieldwork by its purpose:

  • investigative
  • advance
  • emergency
    • The outcome of archaeological fieldwork is a set of the removed archaeological finds (artefacts, ecofacts and samples) and a set of data, represented primarily by field documentation, that together form the basis for the findings report. Archaeological fieldwork includes all phases of archaeological work related to the collection of new data, that is: preparation (literature search, project planning); execution (work in the field) and processing (laboratory treatment and conservation of artefacts, expert evaluation of acquired movable and immovable finds and samples, preparation of discovery report, publication).

Rescue archaeology

The term 'rescue archaeology' refers to archaeological research of a threatened area, where disturbance by contemporary human activity or natural processes is unavoidable, and where it is not feasible to preserve the archaeological heritage in its original location. The goal, therefore, is the preservation of heritage outside of its original location. This is carried out by gathering as much archaeological data as possible from the threatened area.

Exploratory archaeological research

Exploratory archaeological research ('research archaeology') is carried out in areas containing archaeological remains that are not threatened. The impetus is purely archaeological, the purpose being to solve a scientific archaeological problem. Destructive and partially destructive research should only be carried out when it is unavoidable, because all other means of acquiring the scientific knowledge have been exhausted. In such cases, in line with the Malta Convention, the research project must be properly justified and authorised during the preparation phase.

Non-destructive archaeological research

Non-destructive archaeological research is completely non-invasive, and does not include excavation. It typically involves geodesic-topographical survey, aerial survey (illustration photo), remote sensing (illustration photo) and archeo-geophysical survey (illustration photo).

Partially destructive archaeological research

This type of research is invasive, however it causes minimal physical disruption to an immovable archaeological find. This involves surface collections, micro-scratches, incisions, bores, probes and sensors that register the immovable archaeological find without disturbing it. In certain cases it depends on the type of archaeological source and the specific method to be used: for example, exploration with metal detectors can seriously damage some type of sources.

Destructive archaeological research

This type of research is invasive and the main method is excavation, which impacts on the physical substance of an immovable archaeological find.

Investigative archaeological research

This type of research is carried out to locate and identify archaeological finds and their scientific and heritage value, and to define subsequent archaeological operations (e.g. advance research or in-situ protection). It can form a part of rescue as well as exploratory archaeological research. Investigative research is typically non-destructive or has limited destructive impact.

Advance archaeological research

This is a type of rescue archaeology and it is typically carried out in advance, before an endangered area containing finds is disturbed by human activity or natural processes.

Emergency archaeological research

This is a type of rescue archaeology carried out while an area containing archaeological finds is in the process of being disturbed by human activity. Typically it involves a non-standard solution of a situation that arises out of a failure to fulfil legal obligations, due to an unexpected discovery of an archaeological find. In other cases it is carried out in places where advance research is not technically feasible. 

Work in the Public Interest

Free advisory service of the National Heritage Institute (NPU)

As per the relevant legislation (Section 32, Clause 2f of Act No. 20/1987), the organisation of national heritage preservation provides expert assistance to the owners of cultural monuments to aid in their care, free of charge.

Rescue Archaeology Assistance Programme

The Rescue Archaeology Assistance Programme is a special-purpose grant to the National Heritage Institute by the Ministry of Culture. The finances of this program are intended for the support of archaeological rescue projects, where the cost of the research is borne by the Institute (as per Section 22, Clause 2 of Act. No. 20/1987 on State Heritage Preservation). Programme applications are discussed by the Regional Archaeological committee. Grant recipients can be authorised organisations, which co-operate with the Institute (NPU) in performing rescue archaeology research. Named representatives (secretaries or chairmen of Regional Archaeological Committees) from individual regional branches of the Institute are members of the Committee reporting to the Chief Executive for Archaeology at the Headquarters of the Institute. This committee reallocates the funds to the individual regional branches.

The list of representatives (regional coordinators) of individual branches, who can be approached by organisations authorized for rescue archaeology research when applying for funding under the assistance programme by 10th September of each calendar year:

  • NPÚ-ÚOP Brno ♦ PhDr. R. Stránská
  • NPÚ-ÚOP České Budějovice ♦ Mgr. J. Havlice
  • NPÚ-ÚOP Josefov ♦ Mgr. J. Kalferstová
  • NPÚ-ÚOP Kroměříž ♦ Mgr. J. Janál
  • NPÚ-ÚOP Liberec ♦ Mgr. R. Tišerová
  • NPÚ-ÚOP Loket ♦ Mgr. F. Prekop
  • NPÚ-ÚOP Olomouc ♦ PhDr. P. Michna
  • NPÚ-ÚOP Ostrava ♦ Mgr. M. Zezula
  • NPÚ-ÚOP Pardubice ♦ Mgr. T. Čurda
  • NPÚ-ÚOP Plzeň ♦ Mgr. E. Kamenická
  • NPÚ-ÚOP Praha ♦ PhDr. J. Podliska, Ph.D.
  • NPÚ-ÚOP Středních Čech ♦ Mgr. Z. Neustupný
  • NPÚ-ÚOP Telč ♦ Mgr. P. Macků

Procurement of information about the archaeological heritage fund, both for specialists and for the general public, research news, lectures, etc. (See useful links, news, including presentation of research)

Specialist information sources

System of Archaeological Data - ISAD

The ISAD system is an integrated store of all archaeological data, acquired during the care of the archaeological fund in order to ensure that the data are managed and kept current so that they might be effectively utilised both by the Institute and by other users in the field of heritage preservation, state and public administration, and for public presentation via the internet.

The non-public section is accessible at the address:

http://twist.up.npu.cz

The system is continuously updated and replenished with the aim of progressively integrating it into the Heritage Preservation Integrated Information System (IISPP), currently under development.

The main component of ISAD is the National Archaeological Register of the Czech Republic (SAS CR), as well as related applications: Important Archaeological Locations (VAL); Image-based Documentation of Archaeological Sites (ODAN); Research Overview; Archaeological Database of Bohemia (ADC) and Mapping Projects of SAS CR; the Environmental Protection Programme 250/4/98; Most Significant Archaeological Locations.

National Archaeological Register

Known by the acronym SAS CR, this system is a register of areas containing archaeological finds. The SAS CR is managed by the Headquarters of the Institute.

The basis of the system is plotting spatial demarcation of all known areas containing archaeological finds onto maps, as well as entering a description of each individual area into the connected database (a map showing coverage of the Czech Republic by SAS, or the structure of a database entry).

The spatial demarcation is plotted on maps of scale 1:10,000, accessible in digital form primarily in ArcView shape file format. The database of descriptive data is stored as a DBF file, which is part of the shape file. Data from the Register can be accessed via common digital media or via email.

The discovery of areas containing archaeological finds is an ongoing process and new areas have been continuously added to the Register. The central database of the Register, and the digital layer of spatial demarcations are updated annually.

The Methodology of the SAS CR divides areas containing archaeological finds into four categories:

  • Category I - areas where the existence of archaeological remains has been positively proven or can be reliably assumed to be found.
  • Category II - areas where the existence of an archaeological find has not been positively proven to date, but there are indications pointing to a find; probability of a find is 51-100%.
  • Category III - areas where no archaeological find has been located and so far there are no indications pointing to one. However, the area may have been inhabited (or otherwise utilised) by humans, therefore a 50% probability of an archaeological find exists. This category covers all the territory of the state, except for areas in Categories I, II and IV.
  • Category IV - areas where there is no realistic probability of an archaeological find. This category covers areas affected by mining where the layers and deposits of the quaternary period were removed.

Except for Category IV areas, all other territories are covered by the requirements of  § 21-24 of Act No. 20/1987 on State Heritage Preservation, as amended. This means that in areas of Category I, II and III it necessary to abide by § 22 of Act No. 20/1987, on National Heritage Care, as amended, that is: as soon as there is intention to carry out earth works during which an archaeological find in the sense of § 23 might be uncovered, builders are required to inform the Archaeological Institute of this intention, and to allow the Institute or an authorised organisation access to the area to perform rescue archaeology research.

As at 1/1/2010, approximately 99% of the Czech Republic's territory has been processed into the SAS CR register (state of processing of maps - coverage of the Czech Republic), with the remaining area to be added in the course of time.

The maintenance and updating of data in the SAS CR register is provided annually via a system of regional administrators, who are responsible for the accuracy of data for their respective regions. The central administration is carried out by the Institute's Headquarters (map showing division of administrative regions across the Czech Republic). The expert guarantor of the register's data at the Headquarters is A. Knechtova, technical administration of the information system is performed by P. Volf’k and L. Bečvař. Digitisation of maps and supply of data is performed by J. Ambrožova.

Important Archaeological Locations (VAL)

The application known as VAL provides an environment for complex work with information about important archaeological locations. It allows their storage and retrieval. The database of these locations was created by selecting individual areas (filed in the State Archaeological Register of the Czech Republic), which belong among the most valuable sites with well- preserved archaeological terrain and archaeological artefacts (both movable and immovable) in their original context. Each keyword includes a basic description of the location and data gained from monitoring the present state, as well as information about any current or potential threat.

Other data enable classification according to established criteria, allowing the database to be used by others in the field of heritage preservation, for decision-making by state administration as well as for informing the public. Organising the register of important archaeological locations in this way has emerged out of a commitment to the identification of archaeological heritage, to which the Czech Republic committed by accession to the Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage of Europe - the so-called Malta Convention (article 2, section "i"). Furthermore, the register paves the way to fulfilling another commitment, the formation of archaeological reservations for the protection of archaeological heritage, according to article 2, section "ii" of the same convention.

Image-based Documentation of Archaeological Sites (ODAN)

The application known as ODAN allows complex manipulation of image-based data gained as part of the research project "Imaged-based Documentation of Archaeological Deposits", carried out in the years 1999-2003. These data are further updated and supplemented, so that ultimately they will contain all the image-based documentation corresponding to every archaeological site found in the SAS CR information system. Along with the image-based records one can also display and print all accessible descriptive information. Records can also be sorted and searched according to selected criteria, and one can also directly access the corresponding linked record in the SAS CR database.

Research Overview (PV)

This application, known as PV, provides an environment for the complex manipulation of data from individual archaeological actions published in the journal 'Přehled výzkumů" [Research Overview], published since 1956 by the Czech Archaeological Institute in Brno. The scope of this journal is primarily to record archaeological research and findings in that particular period, across the territories of Moravia and Silesia.

The PV application enables storing and searching for archaeological projects by the location name, area identification (land register, administrative region, district, province), location date, year that the project took place, and by author of the article. It provides a link to the full bibliographic record in the corresponding edition of "Přehled výzkumů".

Archaeological Database of Bohemia (ADČ)

The Archaeological Database of Bohemia is a collection of data, compiled and administered in the archive of the Czech Archaeological Institute in Prague, as the central record of archaeological research and discoveries for the territory of Bohemia. Entries in the database are made on the basis of so-called "Reports on Archaeological Projects", which are provided to the archive by the leaders of fieldwork. The database contains nearly 75 thousand entries, growing at a rate of around 2000 entries per year (see www.arup.cas.cz/cz/archivy/archeo_dtb_cech.html .

Entries originating from before the late 1980s have not yet been audited, with the exception of some regional projects. The character of the database is primarily record-keeping, whilst the emphasis is on precise spatial identification of finds (PIAN system, maps of 1 : 10,000 scale).

The Archaeological Database of Bohemia is also accessible to registered users of the ISAD archaeological data information system.

Specialist Standards

Each archaeological fieldwork project must be executed in a way that is conducive to compilation of a findings report. Archaeological fieldwork must be led in a way that follows the structure set out by the Czech Archaeological Institute (see www.arup.cas.cz/cz/archivy/files/Osnova_NZ_2008.pdf. Due to the Czech Archaeological Institute's role in Heritage Law, certain standards are also defined by the internal regulations of the Institute (standards of record-keeping of field research and archiving of field documentation [no. 8/2007] and guidelines for the execution of archaeological field research [no. 3/2008]). (see www.arup.cas.cz/cz/pamatkovaochrana/interni_smernice.html.

At present, the Czech Academy of Science and its Archaeological Institute, together with the National Heritage Institute and professional members of the public, are developing general rules governing archaeological research. These will be followed by more detailed standards.

Organisations approved to carry out archaeological research

For an organisation to be approved to carry out archaeological research, it must have a permit from the Czech Ministry of Culture as well as a valid Agreement governing the extent and conditions of the research. The agreement is drawn up by the regional Czech Archaeological Institute. The requirements for approval are set out in Section 21, Clause 2.

For details of gaining a permit from the Ministry of Culture, see http://www.mkcr.cz/assets/kulturni-dedictvi/pamatkovy-fond/archeologie/Tabulka-OOPAV-zakl--udaje-WEB_2.xls

For details of drafting an agreement with the Archaeological Institute, see www.arup.cas.cz/cz/pamatkovaochrana/opravnene_organizace.html for Bohemia or http://arub.public08.cz/clanek/opravnene-organizace pro Moravu.html for Moravia.

The National Heritage Institute, its Headquarters and Preservation of Archaeological Cultural Heritage

The National Heritage Institute (NPU) has an archaeological division based at the Headquarters.

  • Administration of the National Archaeological Register of the Czech Republic (SAS CR). This includes the internet-based Information System of Archaeological Data (A. Knechtova, J. Ambrožova). User support for regional administrators of the SAS (Z. Petřikova)
  • Provision of data from SAS CR, including contractual work, as well as for the following: preparation of land-use planning analytical materials (event 16 - area containing archaeological finds); land-use planning documentation; spatial analysis of building plans; processing of forest management plans, among others (A. Knechtova, J.Ambrožova)
  • Administrative functions: expert opinions on National Cultural Properties (NKP), on regional land-use planning, and others, in line with the jurisdiction of the NPU (A. Knechtova, P. Popelařova, H. Chytra, D. Vorličkova)
  • Coordination of archaeological work at the Archaeology Committee for the Rescue Archaeology Assistance Programme - PPZAV, DEMUS and others. (M. Tomašek, A. Knechtova)
  • Management of database for record-keeping of Notifications of Commencement of an Archaeological Project, Reports of Archaeological Project and Discovery Reports. These functions are per Section 21, Clause 4 of the relevant statute. (P. Popelařova, D. Vorličkova, Z. Petř’kova)
  • Representation of the NPU, and of Czech archaeology in general at the European Archaeological Council (EAC). (M. Tomašek)

Archaeological Committee of the NPU

The Archaeology Committee is an advisory body reporting to the Chief Executive. It advises on matters of preservation, rescue and care for the archaeological heritage of the Czech Republic, which are carried out by the NPU as mandated. This includes the allocation of grants from the Ministry of Culture to the Rescue Archaeology Assistance Programme and evaluation of achievements (directory of members).

Regional Archaeological Committees

Regional Archaeological Committees (KAK) are advisory bodies on matters of preservation, rescue and care for archaeological heritage, operating in regional branches of the NPU. Their responsibilities include evaluating applications for funding under the Rescue Archaeology Assistance Programme, allocation of finances from grants and evaluation of achievements in their regions (listing of secretaries and chairmen).

The National Heritage Institute, its Central Office and Science and Research

  • 6 maps showing archaeological heritage from the publication titled "Atlas of the Landscape of Czech Republic in the Context of Protection of Cultural and Historic Landscapes
  • Relics from Prehistoric times to the Early Middle Ages
  • Relics from the Palaeolithic to the Mesolithic Periods
  • Relics from the Neolithic Period and the Copper Age
  • Relics from the Iron Age
  • Relics from the Roman Period and the Migration Period
  • Relics from the Early Middle Ages
  •  Exhibition on the history of heritage preservation in the Czech Republic
  • Archaeological Heritage in the Czech Republic - panel 17.

Other Archaeological Departments of the National Heritage Institute (NPU)

Each regional branch of the NPU also has an archaeological department.

NPU Regional Branch in Brno

Archaeological Department

  • Administrative functions
  • Fieldwork on sites under the Institute's administration
  • Provision of data on construction projects to the South Moravian Regional Archaeological Committee. (within the scope of the database in place since 2000.)
  • Contact: R. Stranska, stranska@brno.npu.cz 

NPU Regional Branch in Česke Budějovice

Archaeological Department

  • Fieldwork on sites under the Institute's administration
  • Administration of the collection of movable archaeological objects
  • Contact: J. Havlice, havlice@budejovice.npu.cz 
    • NPU Regional Branch in Josefov
  • Administrative functions
  • Contact: J. Kalferstova, kalferstova@josefov.npu.cz
    • NPU Regional Branch in Kroměřiž

Specialist Department

  • Administrative functions
  • Carrying out fieldwork on sites under the Institute's administration
  • Contact: J. Janal, janal@kromeriz.npu.cz

NPU Regional Branch in Liberec

Research Department within OEDIS

  • Carrying out fieldwork on sites under the Institute's administration
  • Administrative functions
  • Contact: R. Tišerova, tiserova@liberec.npu.cz

NPU Regional Branch in Loket

Specialist Department

  • Administrative functions
  • Co-ordinating the operation of the Regional Archaeological Committee
  • Rescue archaeology work in the Loket region, in cooperation with the Plzeň branch
  • Contact: F. Prekop, prekop@loket.npu.cz

NPU Regional Branch in Olomouc

  • Administrative functions
  • Rescue Archaeology research in the Olomouc, Litovel and Uničov regions, and fieldwork on sites under the Institute's administration
  • Monitoring and protection of areas containing archaeological finds, which should be protected under the Heritage Protection Law, for which, however there is currently insufficient information to warrant their inclusion on the Register of Cultural Heritage. Monitoring includes small archaeological probes to determine location, dating, etc.
  • Documentation within the landscape - mapping of relics on archaeological sites and surveying using GPS
  • Geographic Information System (GIS) - cooperation with Palacký University in Olomouc
  • Contact: P. Šlezar, slezar@olomouc.npu.cz

NPU Regional Branch in Ostrava

Archaeological Department

  • Administrative functions
  • Rescue Archaeology research and fieldwork on sites under the Institute's administration
  • Attempts to systematically observe certain locations (e.g. Opava and Ostrava regions)
  • Other related functions (administration of collections of finds, presentation, publication of results)
  • Contact: M. Zezula, zezula@ostrava.npu.cz

 NPU Regional Branch in Pardubice

Archaeology Department within OEDIS

  • Administrative functions
  • Fieldwork on sites under the Institute's administration
  • Administration of the collection of movable archaeological objects
  • Contact: T. Čurda, curda@pardubice.npu.cz

NPU Regional Branch in Plzeň

Archaeology Department

  • Fieldwork on sites under the Institute's administration
  • Designation of heritage and identification of the heritage fund
  • Administrative functions
  • Processing of old archaeological research
  • Contact: E. Kamenicka, kamenicka@plzen.npu.cz

NPU Regional Branch in Prague

Archaeology Department (including the following sections: preservation of heritage; research; preservation of finds)

  • Provision of expert opinions; provision of opinions on land-use planning issues; consultation with builders; coordinating the operation of the Prague Archaeological Committee; field monitoring of registered archaeological heritage in the Prague region;
  • Performing rescue archaeology in the Prague Heritage Reservation; coordination of work across the territory of Prague;
  • Processing of old archaeological research
  • Administration of the collection of movable archaeological objects
  • Work related to the presentation of archaeological research, university tuition, lecturing
  • Contacts: Head of Department - J. Podliska, podliska@praha.npu.cz; expert opinions and information about archaeological activities in the Prague area - Z. Lochman, lochman@praha.npu.cz

NPU Regional Branch for Central Bohemia, based in Prague

Archaeology Department

  • Provision of expert opinions; search for archaeological monuments and preparation of materials for their designation as Cultural Monuments; geodesic documentation of archaeological monuments;
  • Research carried out only on sites under the Institute's administration. Occasionally also carried out on Cultural Monuments owned by individuals.
  • Contact: Z. Neustupný, neustupny@stc.npu.cz

NPU Regional Branch in Telč

Specialist Department

  • Administrative functions
  • Fieldwork on sites under the Institute's administration
  • Contact: P. Macků, macku@telc.npu.cz

NPU Regional Branch in Usti nad Labem

as part of the Specialist Department

  • Fieldwork on sites under the Institute's administration
  • Administrative functions
  • Processing of old archaeological research
  • Contact: H. F. Teryngerova, teryngerova@usti.npu.cz