Are we moving in the right direction?

The Directorate for Cultural Heritage monitors the condition of archaeological remains in 16 municipalities. In 2010, a total of 1305 archaeological monuments and sites in four municipalities (Skien, Grong, Trondheim and Tromsø) were investigated for the fourth time.

Very few losses, but widespread damage

From 2005 to 2010, there have been four losses in the four municipalities. This corresponds to an annual rate of loss of 0.06%. These archaeological remains have been destroyed or removed illegally, without anyone having obtained permission from the authorities.

In the same survey, new damage was recorded at 77 archaeological monuments and sites, and a further 135 could not be located. This corresponds to an average rate of loss of 15 monuments and sites, or 1.2% of the total, every year.

The rate of loss is considerably lower than the national target, which is most encouraging. On the other hand, it is cause for concern that there has been further damage to so many monuments and sites, and that many can no longer be located.

During the control surveys carried out in the past 10 years, we have noted that a monument or site that has already been damaged, it is more likely to suffer further damage than one that is in good condition. People tend to overlook the value of archaeological remains that have been seriously damaged, and are less likely to take account of them during farming, construction and other activities. In the long run, they may be lost completely.

Underwater archaeological heritage at risk

The Directorate believes that there are considerable losses of underwater archaeological remains every year. The most important causes are theft, vandalism, developments in the shore zone and natural erosion.

Information needed to avoid uncontrolled losses

Further steps are needed to avoid uncontrolled losses of valuable archaeological remains. Information activities are an important way of raising public awareness of the archaeological heritage and how it needs to be managed.