ABSTRACT

War is an invasive spatial practice and naturally, these practices are detrimental for archaeological heritage. However, a form of war-related damage to archaeological heritage is hitherto unrecognised. This paper represents a first attempt to define, quantify and estimate the extent of war damage to archaeological heritage caused by deployment, placement and removal of landmines and various other explosive remnants of war (ERW). Three case studies from Croatia each demonstrate that estimated figures are staggering and that archaeological heritage is indeed gravely affected. We suggest that adequate reaction from various stakeholders is missing. This is unfortunate because the case studies also demonstrate that the loss of archaeological potential could be mitigated and controlled. Deployment and removal of explosive devices are activities which must be recognised managed as a form of war damage. Archaeological community should take a keener interest in the subject and become a relevant stakeholder in mine action.

摘要

战争是一种侵入性的空间实践，自然而然地，这些实践对考古遗产是有害的。然而，迄今为止，人们尚未认识到对考古遗产的一种与战争有关的破坏形式。本文首次尝试定义、量化和估计由部署、放置和清除地雷和其他各种战争遗留爆炸物 (ERW) 对考古遗产造成的战争破坏程度。克罗地亚的三个案例研究均表明，估计数字令人震惊，考古遗产确实受到了严重影响。我们认为缺乏来自不同利益相关者的充分反应。这是不幸的，因为案例研究还表明可以减轻和控制考古潜力的损失。部署和拆除爆炸装置是必须被视为一种战争破坏形式的活动。考古界应该对这个主题产生更浓厚的兴趣，并成为排雷行动的相关利益相关者。