Degradation of archaeological sites because of archaeological research - example hillfort Ajdovščina/Rodik/Slovenia

Usually there is a degradation of archaeological sites due to natural disasters, changes in vegetation cover, intensive agricultural use, various land and building works and treasure hunters.

Usually we archaeologists do not admit that even our work has degrading effects on archaeological sites. But at this point I do not mean archaeological excavations in the so-called rescue archaeology. Rescue excavations and archaeological research is usually done because of construction work in the area of archaeological site and it is only way to save it.

Here I write about archaeological excavations and research, that is done on exclusively research and study basis. I will present one case where archaeologist left archaeological site in "disarray" and neglected. It is meant on one hand as critique of management of excavators and on the other hand a reminder to our-self. In what state do we leave archaeological site behind.

One example of poor management is the condition of the archaeological site Ajdovščina, that I wrote about previous month. Archaeological research was conducted in the 80s and 90s by the Department of Archaeology Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Situation already shocked me few years ago when I visited the site for the first time, and disappointed and angry by the condition of some archaeological features. When I visited it this year I decided that because nothing had changed and on some parts situation is getting worse I have to write something down and also inform Department of archaeology of the unfinished business they left up there.

What follows are photos of degraded and neglected areas left by archaeological research.

Poles that marked grid for geophysical survey. As they are made from wood they do not represent an environmental problem. More a visual garbage and it looks as someone will build something up there.

The section of the main bank. Because left open it has started to slide and fill by natural destruction of still standing bank. The section also degrades the whole view of the majestic ruins of the main wall around the main entrance to hillfort.

Section made through the ruins of main wall. Sliding of material is seen on bout edges.

Spoil heap of material from ruins of main wall, that is left on the bank.

Shed for tools left standing on the top of the hill.

PVC foil left laying around. Started to tear and pollute whole site.

PVC foil left laying around. Started to tear and pollute whole site. Spoil heap of main excavation on left.

Spoil heap of main trench on the top of the hill.

PVC foil left on the excavated late antiquity foundations. Started to tear as trench wasn't properly filed back. Foundations started to crumble.

PVC foil left on the excavated late antiquity foundations. Started to tear as trench wasn't properly filed back. Foundations started to crumble.

PVC foil left on the excavated late antiquity foundations. Started to tear as trench wasn't properly filed back. Foundations started to crumble.

Teared PVC foil now seen almost on half of the whole site.

This image of the archaeological site of the so-called "research" excavations is inadmissible. Similar is the surroundings of cave site of Mala Triglavca near Divača, especially plastics and PVC that are lying around. I urge the Department of Archaeology, to activate and clear all PVC at least.

For me personally such an attitude indicates a stance and that archaeological sites are only information carrier. We need only to dig them and then, take away all the data to study it in the comforts of our chair. Who gives a s*** about what we left when we dug it.

Archaeological sites are the living remnants and witnesses of life of ancestors. Archaeological sites are vital part of any landscape. Every archaeologist would have to take care and respect the environment and archeological sites and leave minimal impact on them.

We musnt let this bad examples to message to public: Archaeologists were here and we don give a f***for the environment and archeological site itself..