A new finds of black archeologists on the Poltava Battle field

August 10, 2015. Luckily or not, but modern metal detectors are becoming more affordable every year, even for people with average incomes. Hundred people prefer to spend weekend or even a full vacation digging somewhere on the battlefield being armed with spade and appropriate computerized equipment.The use of such equipment for gain, undoubtedly, is a criminal offense but nevertheless such kind of outdoor activity is becoming more and more popular in Ukraine.

All findings are generally not plotted to the map and enter the black market in the hope of selling them to foreign tourists. The state which budget is bursting at the seams, unfortunately, can not properly protect all battlefields. The state also can not organize an appropriate archaeological survey of these fields. Only due to support of the Swedish Society of the Military History (SMB) the first archaeological survey of the Poltava Battle field was made by Swedish-American group of archaeologists headed by Bo Knarrström and Adrian Mandzy eight years ago. 

Many finds on the Poltava Battle field were made by the local villagers in their gardens. Many discovered cannonballs, musket balls, firearms and cold steel were transferred to the Poltava Battle Museum, where they can be seen by visitors.

But nevertheless some findings, even though they were made by black archaeologists, can be very interesting for military history. Not long ago a three pound cannon ball and a handful of musket bullets were found near the village of Petrovka where Russian army crossed Vorskla river on June 20, 1709. 

It is well known that there was no fighting with Swedish army there because Russians soon left their first fortified camp being seeing that an enemy is not going to advance. Within a few days a new fortified camp was completed near the village of Yakovtsy. So may be these findings, even though they were made by black archaeologists, can be very interesting for military history. I was lucky to learn about these findings before they were sold out and take a picture.