THE RECENT archaeological research at Zuckermandel, an important part of the area at the foot of Bratislava Castle, known as Podhradie, is to be halted, the Bratislava Open civic association warned in mid April. The Zuckermandel findings were in a protected historical area, and as such they enjoy the biggest level of protection, activist claim.
Activists have warned, however, that development activities might halt all excavations and research in the area, regardless of their importance. “Currently, the investor is presenting the need for quick construction of administration buildings for the ČSOB bank, as they want to maximise their profits to the detriment of our history,” activists claim.
Bratislava Open requires all construction preparations to be suspended in order to protect the archaeological site. They want a team of experts, including archaeologists from the Archaeological Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Nitra, and professionals from Austria and the Visegrad Four countries, to evaluate the ongoing excavations and lay out future steps for the site. They are also calling on the Monuments Board to scrutinise the case and proclaim Zuckermandel a national cultural monument so as to secure its protection.
Finally, the activists expressed fears that due to the planned construction, the already uncovered parts of the archaeological site will be covered with soil and levelled. Moreover, the findings have yet to be presented to public, nor have they been adequately described. Activist fear that the site’s importance will be downplayed.
