A resident of the Lipetsk region faces up to six years in prison for excavations with a metal detector

A resident of the Usman district will appear in court for illegal searches for antique objects, which led to damage to the cultural layer. According to investigators, the man extracted historical finds from the ground with the help of a metal detector and shovel, without having permission for archaeological work. He now faces up to six years in prison.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the Lipetsk region, the 40-year-old man conducted searches from September 2024 to March 2025 in the vicinity of the village of Oktyabrskoe. Before that, he had studied old maps on the internet and talked to people who had also searched for archaeological objects without special permission.

Excavations took place on the territory of the object of cultural heritage "Plot of cultural layer of the village of October XVII-XVIII centuries". Among the discovered objects are 40 buttons, nine scale coins, three rings and other metal finds of historical, scientific and museum value.

Examinations confirmed that the search work damaged the cultural layer – the layer of land in which traces of human activity and information about the historical past are preserved. As part of the investigation, archaeological, cultural, historical and commodity examinations were conducted. The crime was identified by the FSB of Russia in the Lipetsk region.

Investigation completed, indictment confirmed. Now the criminal case will be sent to the court, which will consider it on the merits.