An amendment to the Act on the Digitization of Heritage Care, enacted by the Ministry of Culture and signed by President Petr Pavel in June 2024, comes into effect yesterday. The legislation introduces enhanced oversight of archaeological excavations and facilitates the digital integration of heritage protection data into the land registry. Jana Zechmeisterová from the Ministry of Culture’s press department shared details of the changes. The amendment empowers regional authorities with improved supervision of archaeological findings, particularly for large-scale rescue excavations. Regions can now set explicit conditions for how artifacts are documented and processed before being handed over. Additionally, the Ministry of Culture’s powers over archaeological organizations and private companies have been expanded. The ministry can now revoke excavation authorizations not only for a loss of professional qualifications but also for repeated or severe breaches of the law. “If an authorized organization has either repeatedly violated obligations over the last two years or committed a serious offense, the ministry can withdraw its authorization,” Zechmeisterová explained. However, the ministry’s existing control mechanisms will remain unchanged. The law also facilitates the digitization of heritage protection by introducing machine-based data transfer on conservation zones to the land registry. Starting from January 1, 2025, the system’s implementation will be gradually rolled out, with its launch officially announced in the Collection of Laws and International Treaties. This development means that the land registry will now include data on protected areas and buildings, providing a comprehensive view of monument protection. “The inclusion of protected areas in the basic register will allow for seamless sharing across public administration, ensure modern updates, and guarantee data accuracy,” stated Culture Minister Martin Baxa. The Ministry of Culture anticipates minimal financial impact from the amendment, estimating costs at approximately CZK 3 million. The expenses will primarily cover updates to the Integrated Information System of Monument Protection to accommodate the new requirements. By digitizing records and streamlining archaeological supervision, the amendment aims to modernize and enhance heritage care, ensuring the responsible management and preservation of cultural artifacts while promoting efficiency in public administration. Source: CTK