Unequal Market Position in Development-Led Archaeology and the Pressure to Reduce Research Quality in the Czech Republic

Description

Abstract

Nowadays, development-led archaeology accounts for almost 100% of all archaeological excavations in the Czech Republic. The obligation of developers to finance this type of research creates market competition among archaeological organizations. Unfortunately, this competition is focused almost exclusively on excavation costs, which, combined with the unequal position of different organizations, creates pressure to reduce quality of research. As archaeological heritage protection is regulated by outdated legislation, some practical aspects are not sufficiently addressed. First, this contribution will briefly recall the basics of archaeological heritage care in the Czech Republic, with a particular focus on the administrative process and relevant legislation, as presented at the previous conference. Second, it will introduce the main types of archaeological organizations—museums, universities, private companies, and other institutions—and describe their sources of financing. The financial aspect is crucial, as different organizations have access to varying levels of resources, which directly influences their ability to conduct high-quality archaeological research. Third, the paper will examine the impact of key factors, such as the market-driven environment and financial pressures, on excavation costs and, consequently, Session overview Session overview 694 695 on research quality. The competition between organizations primarily prioritizes affordability and speed over thorough scientific investigation, which may lead to insufficient protection of archaeological heritage. Finally, the impact of all these aspects on rescue archaeology in the Czech Republic will be evaluated. Potential risks to heritage preservation will be identified, and possible improvements to the current system will be proposed.