Damage to Ancient and Cultural Heritage Sites 2024

Nyhet | Statistik - 17 December 2024

The Swedish Forest Agency's latest inventory of known cultural heritage sites shows that the proportion damaged during regeneration felling remains at an unchanged level. Compared to 2012 when the inventories started, the proportion of damaged cultural heritage sites has decreased, but the proportion of serious damage is just as large.

The percentage of known cultural heritage sites damaged during regeneration felling is consistent with recent years' surveys. In 2024, cultural heritage sites categorized as having damage or severe damage amounted to 10 percent, compared to 18 percent in 2012 when measurements began,

The proportion of known cultural heritage sites with serious damage was 4 percent at this year's follow-up. Severe damage refers to irreparable harm. This figure has decreased only marginally since measurements began.

In recent years' surveys, equal numbers of ancient remains and other cultural historical remnants have been assessed. Between 2021 and 2024, damage and severe damage to ancient remains ranged between 11 and 14 percent, while for other cultural historical remains, the range was 7 to 12 percent.

For cases where the County Administrative Board has issued a decision, damage occurring to areas surrounding ancient remains are also assessed. In recent years, the proportion of damage and severe damage to these areas has been 30 to 40 percent nationwide. The single largest cause of damage is soil scarification, followed by vehicle tracks, windthrows, and logging residues. Often there is a combination of causes of damage. The results show that County Administrative Board decisions are often not followed.

Soil scarification is the largest cause of damage

Soil preparation remains the single largest cause of damage to cultural heritage sites. The second most common cause at the national level is vehicle tracks, followed by logging residues and windthrown trees.

Regional differences

Götaland, like last year, had the highest level of damage caused by soil scarification. Here, planting on cultural heritage sites is also most common. Götaland is also the region where cultural stumps are least common—only 15 percent of known cultural heritage sites are marked with cultural stumps compared to 75 percent in Northern Norrland. A cultural stump is 1.3 meter high (±0.5 m) and is used as a marker of cultural remains to prevent damage during forestry operations.

Northern Norrland stands out with the lowest level of damage since measurements began, with 8 percent of cultural heritage sites damaged or severely damaged. Damage and severe damage caused by vehicle tracks and logging residues have particularly decreased. Southern Norrland, which saw a significant increase in the proportion of damaged and severely damaged sites last year, has returned to 2022 levels of 12 percent. Damage levels in Götaland and Svealand are consistent with recent years' results at 11 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Overall, damage levels across regions show no significant differences.

Definitions

Cultural heritage sites: A collective term for ancient remains and other cultural-historical remains. These have different legal protections.

Ancient remains: Remnants of human activity from ancient times, established through older practices, permanently abandoned, and presumed to predate 1850. Examples include Stone Age settlements, trapping pits and graves. The County Administrative Board may declare a younger relic an ancient relic if there are grounds with regards to its cultural-historical value. Governed by Chapter 2 of the Cultural Heritage Act (1988:950).

Ancient remains area:  Includes all ancient remains and surrounding areas protected under the same regulations. The extent is determined by the County Administrative Board during consultations and permit processes in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Cultural Heritage Act (1988:950).

Other cultural-historical remains: Structures with cultural historical value but not fulfilling all criteria to be classified as ancient remains, often postdating 1850. Examples include charcoal pits and house foundations. Governed by the 30§ Forestry Act, Environmental Code, and Planning and Building Act. The Swedish Forest Agency is the supervisory authority for these remnants in forested areas.

Damage Categories Used in the Survey:

1. No Damage
2. Negative impact: e.g., light vehicle tracks, debris, and pressure marks.
3. Damage: Noticeable effects that are reversible, e.g., deep vehicle tracks and some soil scarification.
4. Severe Damage: Irreversible harm that cannot be repaired.

Cultural heritage stump: A 1.3 meter high stump (±0.5 meter) used as a marker for cultural heritage site to prevent damage during forestry operations.

Regions: Northern Norrland (Norrbotten and Västerbotten counties), Southern Norrland (other Norrland counties) and Svealand and Götaland.

The survey is included in Sweden's official statistics.