Predatory excavations as a factor of archaeological heritage loss: the current state in the Republic of Bashkortostan

The paper aims to assess the current scale and dynamics of the illegal search and seizure of archaeological artifacts from archaeological heritage sites in the Republic of Bashkortostan. The following tasks are highlighted: 1) to determine the current state of archaeological heritage sites (included in the unified state register) in the Republic of Bashkortostan; 2) to compare indicators of “black diggers” destructive activities to display its dynamics over the past decade; 3) to consider law enforcement practice in relation to black diggers in the Republic of Bashkortostan. The scientific and theoretical basis of the study is the results of monitoring the technical condition of archaeological heritage sites under state protection, included in the unified state register of cultural heritage sites; regulatory legal acts governing the protection of immovable cultural heritage sites. The methodological basis is field archaeological research, statistical analysis, comparison, and cartography. The study revealed a general deterioration in preservation of archaeological heritage sites included in the register in comparison with the 2010-2011 indicators, and found a significant increase in the number of archaeological sites subject to predatory excavations over the past 13 years. Cartographic analysis demonstrated a heterogeneous distribution of archaeological sites with traces of plunder, revealing a concentration of the latter in the Bashkir Trans-Urals and in the northwest of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The results of the study are practically applicable in state protection of cultural heritage sites. The continuing trend of predatory excavations followed by illegal removal of archaeological material will lead to mass destruction of archaeological heritage, which will negatively affect the possibilities of interpreting the results of archaeological research and subsequent reconstructions of historical and ethnocultural processes.