Cultural environments in the forest consist of ancient remains and other cultural relics. They are protected by different regulatory frameworks.
Cultural relics in the forest can be divided into two categories: ancient remains, which are protected by the Heritage Conservation Act, and other cultural relics, which are protected by the Forestry Act.
Examples of ancient remains are pit traps, old settlements and prehistoric graves. Ancient remains and surrounding areas must not be damaged when logging.
Examples of other cultural relics in the forest are the remains of log driving along streams, heaps of stones cleared from the fields, stone walls, charcoal pits, tar piles and old cottages left by forestry workers.
Caution when logging
All known cultural relics are registered by the Swedish National Heritage Board, and are marked in SCA’s mapping system. Anyone who is planning a logging operation must always check to see whether the logging will affect any known cultural relics, and write instructions for the logging team and machinery operators. Felling trees around a cultural relic so that it can be seen is often desirable, although it is important not to damage the relic when carrying out this task.
We aim to proceed with great caution when working close to ancient remains and other cultural relics.