Kiri

East West Museum In 08.05.2019 1.1-8/1168 [email protected] Out 21.06.2019 1.1-8/1488 Traces of armed conflicts on the territory of the Republic of Estonia are part of Estonian cultural heritage, any action taken to research it with whatever means has to follow the regulations, and restrictions set in the Estonian Heritage Conservation Act. Furthermore, battlefields are often also war graves, and therefore additional restrictions foreseen by international treaties (e.g. the 1949 Geneva Convention and its protocols) have to be accounted for. Use of search device for searching for archaeological finds (in this case military artifacts) is regulated by the Heritage Conservation Act (§ 29). It is important to note that using a search device for searching for archaeological finds is only permitted for a person who has been granted a search device permit. If an archaeological object is found, an archaeological research has to be conducted by a competent person who has a certificate of competency issued by the National Heritage Board (§ 70). The research can only be conducted on the basis of a research plan that is prepared by a competent person and approved by the National Heritage Board. If an object is excavated, the person conducting the research has to grant the safekeeping and immediate conservation of the object to assure the object is preserved. After the excavation, the National Heritage Board shall ascertain the cultural value of an archaeological find. If it is found to be of high cultural value the restrictions described on Intra- Community Transport, Export and Import of Cultural Objects Act shall be implemented for the export of the object in question. With kind regards Siim Raie Director General National Heritage Board Pikk 2 / 10123 Tallinn / + 372 640 3050 / [email protected] / www.muinsuskaitseamet.ee Registrikood 70000958