A while ago, I submitted a question as to the availability of a map over Birka and was told that not enough of Birka had been excavated to make such a map, and no more digs were planned. This now leads me to the next question:
In Sweden, what constitutes a go-ahead for a dig? I mean who decides what and why. Is it, for example, the government that decides it has better things to spend money one than a dig of Birka, and does it have to do with the current owners of the property, who may not want their grazing pasture dug up? Are there ever, in Sweden, I mean, private companies that sponsor digs so that the government doesn't have to foot the bill, or is that a no-no due to that company's then vested interests in the possible finds etc.? I know this is a rather large question, but I would really like to know, so that I can better understand. It seems to me that digging in Birka would be a given, as there must be more finds from what for all intents and purposes seems to be a main hub for trade, and so there must be a logical reason why it's not been and will not be excavated. For example, Sweden is more in tune with environmental problems and such than a lot of other countries and where the US government, say (no slight intended, just an example), would put a dig, they might not just on account of the environmental impact or some reason like that. Maybe there isn't enough finds in Birka to make it a viable dig? Anyhow...so, what , who, and under what circumstance can one do a dig in Sweden? CRStatistik: Postat av Tyra — 9 augusti 2004, 16:38
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