Applying for a permit to disturb an ancient relic
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Applying for a permit to disturb an ancient relic
The excavation, covering, alteration, damage, removal or other interference with an ancient relics is prohibited without a permit issued under the Heritage Act, i.e. an interference permit (subsection 2 of section 1 of the Antiquities Act,).
A permit may be granted for disturbing an ancient relic (kajoamislupa) if the relic causes disproportionate harm in relation to its significance (section 11 of the Antiquities Act,). A permit to disturb an ancient relic is applied by a landowner or other operator who intends to carry out an operation that may have an impact on a scheduled monument.
A permit to disturb an ancient relic is is required whenever an activity is carried out on the site of a relic. This applies even if the project is subject to another type of authorisation, such as a building permit or a permit to extract land resources
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You can apply in writing using the form below. As a general rule, applications for an access permit will be processed within 60 days. This period covers the time between the initiation of the case and its resolution.
The application becomes pending when it reaches the National Board of Antiquities' registry. If the application is incomplete, the National Board of Antiquities will ask the applicant to complete the application within the deadline. The need to complete the application will increase the time taken to process the application. A longer processing time should also be foreseen if further investigations, e.g. field inspections, are required to process the application.
Applications for permits are processed by the Cultural Environment Services Department of the National Board of Antiquities.
Information to be included in the application for an access permit
(see detailed instructions for filling in the form)
In their application, applicants must provide sufficient and relevant information on the following points:
1. Information on the applicant
2. property details and land ownership
3. the relic site concerned by the project
- What is the ancient relic and where is it located?
- Is the entire site affected?
- How will the project affect the site?
4. Project information and project plan
- Project plan for the excavation
- Harm to the applicant caused by the relic
- Reasons why the project cannot be carried out without disturbing the relic
- Timetable of the project
Application form
Application for an excavation permit to disturb an ancient relic (Word file, in Finnish) Updated 20.1.2024 Päivitetty 20.1.2024
Instructions for filling in an application for a permit (pdf, in Finnish)
The matter concerning the permit to disturb an ancient relic can be initiated by submitting a written application to the Finnish Heritage Agency record office
- by e-mail kirjaamo@museovirasto.fi
- or post Museovirasto, PO Box 913, FI-00101 Helsinki
Processing cost
The Finnish Heritage Agency charges a fee in accordance with the Regulation in force at the time. The fee is charged for both positive and negative decisions.
The processing fee for the permit to disturb an ancient relic is 1140 euros. The price is valid from 1.1.2024 to 31.12.2025.
More information