The Silent Scars of War: Russian Military Actions Damage Ancient Ukrainian Burial Mounds
The ongoing war in Ukraine has cast a dark shadow over a country rich in history and culture. While the world watches the conflict unfold, a silent tragedy unfolds at a more granular level: the destruction of Ukrainian archaeological sites, specifically kurgans, ancient burial mounds that hold invaluable insights into the past.
A Team of researchers at the University of Virginia, leveraging powerful satellite imagery and open-source tools, have uncovered evidence of damage inflicted on kurgans by Russian troops. Their findings, published in a report by the Ukraine Conflict Observatory, paint a somber picture of the war’s impact on Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
Kurgans, sentinels of the past, are prominent features of the Ukrainian landscape. These earthen mounds, some reaching heights of up to 65 feet (19.81 meters), serve as silent witnesses to centuries of human history. They contain invaluable archaeological treasures: human remains, artifacts, and the intricate stories of ancient civilizations.
The researchers discovered evidence of damage to kurgans in two locations in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a region under Russian control. Their observations, based on satellite imagery analysis from February 2022 onward, point to a pattern of military activities directly impacting these archaeological sites.
The report highlights two forms of damage:
Military infrastructure built on or near the archeological sites: Satellite imagery captured evidence of structures such as military bases and fortifications constructed atop and around the kurgans, indicating their use as strategic positions by Russian forces. This could be linked to a lack of awareness regarding the importance of these sites or a disregard for their cultural value.
- Deliberate vandalism: The report reveals the creation of a large, lewd geoglyph in the shape of a phallus in an adjacent field, directly adjacent to a kurgans. This act of desecration is indicative of a blatant disregard for the sacred nature of these sites, which hold significance not just to archaeologists but also to the local community.
The report emphasizes that these acts may constitute violations of the Hague Convention. This international agreement outlines the rules of warfare and specifically states that "cultural property shall be respected and protected" throughout conflict.
The use of satellite imagery provides a critical window into the state of these archaeological sites in a war zone. "We’re able to provide a look at an occupied area, Zaporizhzhia, through satellite imagery," said Fiona Greenland, a researcher on UVA’s Cultural Resilience Informatics and Analysis Lab team. "We were able to carefully reconstruct a timeline beginning from before the full-scale invasion through to the arrival of Russian military units in the area and the corresponding impacts they continue to inflict on these ancient burial mounds."
This study offers a sobering reminder that the damage extends beyond the immediate physical destruction: While the kurgans may not appear to be directly in the line of fire, they are still victims of the conflict and their presence is often ignored.
Kate Harrell, an archaeologist at CURIA Lab, highlights the enormity of the problem: "There are thousands of burial mounds and, in this report, we only examined two sites in Zaporizhzhia oblast. Further documentation needs to take place."
This research raises several critical questions about the impact of conflict on cultural heritage:
- What are the long-term consequences of these actions on Ukraine’s cultural heritage? The damage inflicted on these kurgans is not just a physical loss. It represents a rupture in Ukraine’s cultural memory and a loss of valuable information about the past.
- How can we effectively document and protect these sites during active conflict? The use of satellite imagery offers a valuable approach for understanding the impact of conflict on cultural heritage. However, it is just one tool among many that need to be employed.
- What accountability mechanisms exist for those who damage or destroy cultural heritage during war? International law calls for the protection of cultural property during conflict. Yet, enforcing these measures is often challenging.
The findings of this study stand as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that conflict can have on cultural heritage. As the war in Ukraine continues, it is crucial to raise awareness and create a stronger framework for protecting vital cultural sites, not just in Ukraine, but globally.
These ancient burial mounds, silent witnesses to history, deserve our protection. Their destruction is not only a loss for Ukraine, but also a loss for humanity. The world must hold those responsible for these acts accountable and take active steps to ensure that valuable sites of cultural heritage are safeguarded in future conflicts.
