Wie läßt sich eine intensive landwirtschaftliche Flächennutzung mit dem Schutz archäologischer Kulturdenkmale in Einklang bringen? Ein Ausblick nach der Hochwasserkatastrophe im August 2002

Abstract

In the Lommatzscher Pflege, a part of the middle Saxon LoessHill region between Döbeln, Meißen and Riesa, the archive of the soil has been exposed to a creeping decline through intensive agricultural use and soil erosion for  years. This cultural landscape which has been cultivated since the linear pottery culture benefits from excellent natural conditions of location and  specific structural features of its agriculture, so that the problem of the preservation of archaeological monuments arises with particular severity. In this fertile loesslandscape it is illustrated how new means of the conservation of the archivefunction of the soil and a sustainable preservation of archaeological substance are taken and measures of erosionpreventing are developed and realized in Cooperation with regional partners in agriculture, local authorities and societies. Yet in order to achieve this, a selection and evaluation of archaeological sites worth preserving is required.
While considering the specific and legal frame of action as well as the promotion programs of the Free State of Saxony ("sustainable agriculture") Solutions will have to be interdisciplinary and directed towards the common aims of protectionespecially because of the diversity and complexity of conservation at the centre of the preservation of nature, landscape, soil and monuments. Those who benefit from Statepromotion are to be involved in its carrying out as well as in the planning of locationrelated projects of protection and development, since a successful realization depends upon the possibility of participation of the landowners and agricultural businesses. However, the willingness to cooperate and work voluntarily bases on the identification with  the history of a cultural landscape. This identification partly has to be revived through an objectand  locationrelated conveying of knowledge. How new ways for an effective cooperation in the centre of agriculture, conservation of soil, nature and monuments could be found is the subject of a project promoted by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt: "concepts and measures for protection of archaeological monuments on agricultural used land, susceptible to erosion in the Lommatzscher Pflege". The project, in which agricultural businesses and Stateauthorities work together, does not involve regulatory proceedings and  focuses on voluntary contributions. Therefore it is important to create effective and consentdirected means for participation between agriculture and authorities. {translated by Juliane Bartosch}