'Artefacts usually occur in a certain context, in other words, surrounded by other historical objects; they can be settlements, cemeteries or hidden treasures. By depriving them of context, we lose a powerful source of information', explains Grzegorz Kurka, director of the Museum of the History of the Kamień Land (West Pomerania). The archaeologist adds that only people with many years of experience and appropriate archaeological education are able to properly analyse and document such relationships.

Destruction of the 'archaeological context' therefore means, above all, an irreversible loss of information about the historical object and its connections with the surrounding environment.

'Unfortunately, illegal searchers often treat historical objects only as trophies. This approach leads to an irretrievable loss of valuable information about the monument, and thus depriving it of its scientific, historical and cultural value', says Grzegorz Kurka.

One of the most frustrating examples of the loss of archaeological context for archaeologists - as the expert describes - may be the case of two granite anthropomorphic figurines discovered in West Pomerania. 'The figurines ended up in Silesia, where years later the police recovered them from the person who had them. Unfortunately, we do not know the exact place of their discovery, which is why we cannot link them to any archaeological site. Based on stylistic analysis, we can only assume that they were cult figurines and that they have great historical value', the researcher says.

However, examples of irreversible loss of historical data are numerous. According to Grzegorz Kurka, one of the most spectacular examples is the razing to the ground of a former German cemetery in Gostyń. As he reports, bulldozers drove around the cemetery, destroying skeletal burials, which were then loaded onto trucks along with the soil and taken several dozen kilometres away to an illegal landfill. Another 'disgraceful act', the archaeologist lists, was the destruction of the resting place of the Fleming family, who had lived in Western Pomerania since the Middle Ages. On the site, there were clearly visible digs into tin coffins, the lids of which had been torn off with crowbars.

If, by accident or during amateur searches, you find an object that may have historical value, first of all you should stop the activities, secure it and not touch the find to avoid potential damage. It is also important to precisely mark the location of the discovery site.

'The appropriate services should be immediately notified, this may be the Provincial Conservator of Monuments, the municipal office (mayor, president) where the discovery was made, the district office, the police, or simply the local museum. The easiest way is to call or simply send photos of the discovered object. Based on the photo, we are able to tell whether a given object may be an archaeological monument or not. Of course, there are situations when we are not 100% certain, and then we go to the place where a given monument was discovered. Reporting such a find is easy, you only need to want to do that', describes the director of the Museum of the History of the Kamień Land.

He draws attention to the responsibility of archaeologists for appropriate documentation of discovered monuments. 'Often, completing studies and obtaining a master's degree is not enough; later experience in field work, gained under the supervision of more experienced archaeologists, also counts', he adds.

Kurka also points out that currently in Poland there is a growing number of associations of amateurs of legal searches and people with passion. 'An example could be the Kamień St. Cordula Association, which has many wonderful discoveries to its credit, including three medieval papal bulls, a medieval pilgrim shell of St. James, the medieval golden guilder of the Archbishop and Elector of Trier, and many other valuable exhibits', he describes.

Many associations of detectorists also work closely with museums. 'Moreover, we are pleased that educational campaigns for the protection of cultural heritage and the protection of monuments are organised not only by museums and the relevant services, but also by the detectorist associations themselves. We are extremely grateful to them for this, because their support is invaluable', emphasises Grzegorz Kurka.

According to the archaeologist, the currently procedure enabling legal amateur searches for monuments in Poland is simple. The searcher must submit an application to the Provincial Conservator of Monuments and also have the consent of the owner of the land on which the search will be conducted. A positive decision is issued as long as the planned search does not cover the areas of archaeological sites.

Grzegorz Kurka also points out that many European Union countries have stricter regulations regarding searches. In Greece, for example, there is a total ban on metal detector searching, and breaking the regulations is punishable by very high penalties, including imprisonment for 10 to 20 years. In Belgium, amateur searches are only allowed on beaches. A license is required to conduct searches in Germany. On top of that, obtaining permission to search in forests, for example, is virtually impossible.

According to the amendment to the Act on the Protection and Care of Monuments of 2024, from May 1 this year in Poland it will no longer be necessary to obtain permission from the Provincial Conservator of Monuments to conduct searches. Searches with metal detectors, for example, will be permitted if they are conducted by an adult who has the consent of the property owner and possessor, and after reporting the search to the register. Reports can be made with a mobile app provided by the Minister for Culture and National Heritage Protection.

Searches will not be permitted, for example, in the area of monuments entered in the register and their surroundings; monuments recognized as historical monuments; cultural parks; cemeteries, former cemeteries, war graves and tombs and places of execution; Holocaust Monuments and their protection zones.

According to Grzegorz Kurka, the amendment may be a step in the wrong direction. 'Most detectorists are competent and responsible people who are true history enthusiasts and approach their searches with great respect for the past. They work in the spirit of cooperation with museums, archaeologists and scientific institutions. I believe that the vast majority of them will observe the new regulations and act in accordance with the letter of the law. Unfortunately, I have concerns about a small group of people who are not guided by the same values. I am afraid that they may use the new regulations as a loophole to continue illegal searches', the archaeologist says. (PAP)(PAP)

PAP - Science in Poland, Ewelina Krajczyńska-Wujec

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