Nevsky neolit

The most ancient cultural layer Northern capital could disappear under the bucket excavator
Two months - since the Legislature voted to change city law - the northern capital of living with an updated General Plan of development and new borders protection zones. and with each passing day notice specialists in this document are increasingly gaps.
Lbuckets under fortress
At this time the alarm sounded archaeologists: in Genplane not reflected protection of the archaeological objects layer. For example, in St. Petersburg in 2003 with existing legislation "for the protection of cultural layer", but in a similar federal law adopted a year later, there is no such thing at all. There, it is the object of an archaeological value. And in the Northern capital, according to the federal legislation, there are these two: Zayachy Island and the territory Nienshants fortress. But they only number of protected. In reality, if archaeologists had not been perseverance, neither the city authorities, nor the developers would not take into account their views.
Last year just was not faded - in the archaeological sense - Zayachy Island. The project improvement and replacement of communications in the Peter and Paul Fortress, to prepare the territory for paving, were required to lift the top layer one and a half metres. Archaeologists amazed: this is precisely the depth of the cultural layer, the very fact that stores information on the basis Petrova hail, and which may be lost forever.
-- We barely leadership persuaded the city history museum, in whose conduct is today Zayachy Island, agree to correct the project - told a correspondent of "the Russian newspaper" head of the architectural archaeology of the State Hermitage Oleg Ioan-nisyan. -- Agreed. Agreed by 40 centimeters.
Regarding Nienshantsa, his fate is very vague.
-- The excavations began here in 1992 - told researcher at the Institute of History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, head of the archeological expedition at the mouth of the river Ohta Peter Sorokin. - In the decade of work went in parallel with the fight for making the territory the status of protected archaeological site. Nyen - is the oldest and most valuable archaeological sense object Petersburg. This is the only place in the entire North-west, where found neolithic reliable parking. III-VI century. Yes, and altogether unique territory. Everyone already knows that until the fortress castle stood here Nienshants Land-skrona. But we found even older buildings. Before there was Landskrony kreposttsa Novgorodians. And perhaps, is not a recent discovery in the mouth Ohta.
If everything goes on the current plan, it is likely that this revelation will be the last. Yes, and perished in the flames of the fire could not be as Landskronu should explore. After a year here is to begin construction Ohta-center, which includes extensive underground work. This means a total withdrawal cultural layer "most ancient" archaeological site Petersburg.
-- Investors Ohta-center with the understanding relate to the need for archaeological research - is responsible for the silent question Peter Sorokin. -- We do not prevent, recognize the historical value territory. And we try to work as quickly as possible. Now expedition ten working professionals. We must catch gather as much historical material before the start of construction.
True, Peter Sorokin and was unable to say how much time you need to archaeologists, to be able to say clearly: the study concluded. And could culminate in general historical research in such places? And how archaeological society in general refers to the fact that a year living history - from Neolithic times - could disappear forever?
At rights initiative
According to the existing rules until last year, any construction, especially in the historic part of town, should have been preceded by archaeological research. As a result, archaeologists "to dig up" a lot of new facilities - more than 70. Scientists have produced documentation on all the newly identified addresses, handed it to the KGIOP. But today, it seems, the results of these works can be forgotten. Changed the rules of the game: from January 1, 2007 abolished the need to obtain all approvals for construction work, other than technical. Out in the history of supervisory functions of environmentalists, historians and archaeologists architecture. Sam KGIOP now unable to give or not give "good" for construction. Even within the boundaries of protection zones Petersburg.
Meanwhile, a year ago came into force "Regulations on the Procedure of archaeological field work". The federal document. There are many tough plants. For example, selective archaeological studies are unacceptable, is required to examine the object in full. And nobody timing study states: time needed, and it would take so much. But these rules themselves writing for archaeologists and not for construction firms, not even for investors and not for regional authorities. Here archeologists themselves, as their forces, and try to carry out these rules.
If they are able to negotiate with developers so that they allowed scientists to the construction "spot" before bulldozers, research, at least transient, will take place. And on the court and no no. It does not matter - whether or not protected object.
By the way, to recognize themselves as archaeologists, with private investors now agree is easier than with the public authority at work through the budget. For example, a private investor, absorb New Holland (not having the status of valuable archaeological territory), highly leveraged loyalty belongs to the unhurried work of archaeological expeditions to the island.
-- All issues with the developer we have been able to solve, as they say, in working order - says the expedition leader, researcher of the St. Petersburg Research Institute of Complex Social Research Elena Mikhailova. -- At the New Holland for two years of work, we noticed an unusually well-preserved remains of ship barn. 're Also what did not expect to find - residential quarter. Always thought that New Holland - not residential island, and "productive". So it opened another page of history of our city.
And on the territory of the Synod this Page closed. Forever. Archaeologists have also already surveyed only 20 per cent of the area subjected to total reconstruction. The remaining 80 percent were "to shave off" excavator. The object, by the way say the budget.
Fabric contradictions
It was difficult not to notice the contradiction between the desire for archaeologists to explore the cultural layer and the desire of developers to build quickly and with the least number of conditions. It is clear and specific difficulties, which consist in relations scholars and budgetary builders, whose timing, accountability, the need for a smooth delivery. This systemic contradictions. Even philosophical. "The historic settlement Petersburg" faces a choice: either follow the rules of archaeology, to turn the central part of a huge and sits excavation, or by implementing plans for the development of the city, build and restore quickly, regardless of the individual scientists. His reasoning has adherents of both points of view. For one hand, it is clear that increasing the list of structures, issuing harmonization of construction, it means not only expensive but, alas, the risk of expansion of corruption. For another - an urgent need to examine the widespread cultural layer is an axiom, which was not even discussed.
Generally archaeologists as the most reluctant to enjoy their most important reason: talk about the value of their research in general, in general, without going into details, in the sense of their findings for historical science. Probably, it is interesting to see the New Holland perfectly preserved bast shoe XVIII century. Or forged nail the same period. Good would have to see what actually opening.
There is complexity and within the archaeological circles.
-- By 2005, we have prepared documents on the 71 architectural object - Oleg tells Io-annisyan. -- All this would investigate. A total area there - a few hectares. And now the question: Are we able to cope? We have the most powerful expedition for the year is taking place about three thousand square meters. There is also another question: how to be with the general rules for government officials? We in fact involve hand labor. For example, students. And if financing more than 100 thousand rubles, we have a duty as government organizations, to announce the tender. This is two months, if not more. In general, while we observe these rules, already at the construction site of bulldozers will come and make their case ...

Opinions
Alexander Margolis,
Co-Chairman of the St Petersburg branches all-Russian society protection of historical and cultural monuments, Director of International Charitable Fund for Saving the St. Petersburg-Leningrad:
-- We once accustomed to believe that we have a whole lot: museums, historical and architectural values ... Even Heard: not whether it is time, breakwater, slightly reducing the number of those same museums. I think until we will have such a mentality, there will be a risk of losing the city. Here's an example: house-General politsmeystera Chicherina on Nevsky, 15. According to the this building was built on a foundation of a one "Winter Palace" Elizabeth, who lived here until this Winter Palace was built. Today the building rebuilt. What's there now, is unknown. I, as co-chair VOOPiK, there is not empty. And, of course, there were no archaeological explorations. What is the extent of the loss, we can only guess.

Konstantin Plotkin,
Leading specialist KGIOP:
-- Here are some figures: in 2003 our committee took into three archaeological record, in 2004 - m - six in 2005 - m - 11, 2006 - m - 17, 2007 - m - 26. I think not mistaken in saying that the city only archaeological activity is growing. And with such rapid development is linked to many problems. Including these problems relate to what is not developed many of the parties themselves archaeologists.