In the midst of conflict and turmoil, humanity often faces difficult choices: the preservation of the past or the exigencies of the present. Ukraine, a country rich in ancient archaeology and history, finds itself at the crossroads of this dilemma. This article explores the valiant efforts of Ukrainians to safeguard their archaeological treasures amidst the ongoing war with Russia.
The Discovery of a Lifetime
Imagine a scene where a group of soldiers, including Oleksandr Koslov of the Ukrainian armed forces, find themselves in the heat of battle, yet fate leads them to an astonishing discovery. While digging trenches near the Siverskyi Donets river in eastern Ukraine, Koslov's team stumbled upon fragments of ceramics, flint tools, animal bones, and even a finely crafted arrowhead. What they initially dismissed as modern debris turned out to be an archaeological treasure trove dating back thousands of years, encompassing the stone age, the Eneolithic period, and the middle Bronze Age's catacomb culture.
A statue is wrapped and protected by scaffolding in Lviv's old quarter, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ryan Kellman/NPR
Ukraine's Rich Archaeological Heritage
Ukraine boasts a spectacular wealth of archaeological wonders, each bearing testimony to the vibrant tapestry of cultures that once thrived on its soil. From the enigmatic Scythians and their finely worked gold artifacts to the elaborate ceramics of the Cucuteni-Trypillia culture and the trading emporiums established by the Greeks along the Black Sea coast, Ukraine's archaeological heritage is a testament to its pivotal role in ancient history.
The Ravages of Conflict
However, Ukraine's archaeological treasures are now under threat as never before. The full extent of the damage is challenging to assess due to the perilous conditions in conflict zones. Museum collections from occupied cities have been looted, and cultural heritage, including churches and monuments, has been targeted for destruction at an alarming rate. Even trench-digging, essential for military purposes, is inadvertently erasing invaluable traces of the past.
Statues wrapped in protective materials stand in Lviv's old quarter in western Ukraine. Officials are taking precautions to protect statues from being destroyed in Russian attacks.
Claire Harbage/NPR
The Efforts to Preserve
Amidst the destruction, there are stories of hope and resilience. Dr. Serhii Telizhenko, an expert on Ukraine's archaeological landscape, has been using open-source satellite imagery to document the damage to ancient burial mounds, known as "kurgans." These mounds, associated with the lost language of Proto-Indo-European, have not only local but global significance. Telizhenko's work serves as a poignant reminder of what is at stake.
The Role of Best Practices
Telizhenko has authored a military handbook titled "Archaeology and Monuments in War," distributed among the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It emphasizes adherence to the Hague Convention, dedicated to the protection of cultural property during conflicts. Soldiers are instructed on how to photograph and document archaeological sites, enabling the salvage of artifacts if destruction is inevitable.
Scaffolding is set up so workers can cover a wooden altar at Lviv's centuries-old Armenian Cathedral.
Claire Harbage/NPR
Cultural Heritage Theft
Despite these efforts, the theft of cultural heritage remains a grave concern. Opportunists on both sides, military and civilian, engage in illegal excavation, often referred to as "black archaeology." However, Telizhenko rejects such terminology, emphasizing that these individuals are, in essence, looters.
In closing, Ukraine's struggle to safeguard its archaeological treasures in the face of conflict is a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving our shared human history. It calls for global solidarity and support in the protection of cultural heritage, for these artifacts are not just remnants of the past but beacons of our common humanity.
