Black Diggers

BLACK DIGGERS

Treasure hunters who do not have official permission to carry out excavations automatically fall into the category of “black searchers.” They are also referred to as “black archeologists” or “black diggers.” Some of them are simply people pursuing a favorite activity, and do not obtain permission to dig. Often, they join history clubs that have such permission. But others dig not for a local or official museum, but for money: collectors pay well for military memorabilia, medals, and especially weapons.

There is a hierarchy among the “black searchers”:

Toughs -  small, well organized groups that look exclusively for military equipment and weapons. They mainly find bullets and explosives.

Professionals - they live off searching the forest. They usually go out in the field for two to three months at a time. They find an untouched location and dig out anything of value. Aside from weapons and military supplies, the “professionals” take German helmets, buckles, buttons, and anything with an SS symbol.

Archaeologists - those who are not searching for any material benefit. They insist that searching is their hobby.

Bandits - mainly boys, 17-18 years old. They do not dig themselves, but collect things left behind by the professionals. Out of curiosity, they might find a grenade and throw it into a campfire to see what happens. This is the most insane category.

“Black diggers” turn over the earth, extracting half-decayed relics of war: weapons, ribbons and medals, personal items left on the field of battle, skulls and bones. But, for them, bones are junk, a by-product of the trophy business for which no one in the market will pay a kopek.

Their attention is focused on weapons, military awards, and personal valuables. Buttons, buckles, and other small items they can sell. Badges and medals are in high demand. Collectors buy them up. Bones do not sell.

“Black searchers” are sometimes supported by business groups who sell their finds. Under the guise of junk metal, they sometimes export period tanks and cannons. Restored items show up in museums. If “black diggers” are able to repair the weapons they find, there is a demand for them in the criminal world, since their serial numbers are often removed during cleaning. Explosives recovered from shells are also in demand.

The scariest part is that “black diggers” have no scruples about endangering their own or others’ lives. Many of them drag their dangerous finds home, not even considering the consequences.

All illegal excavation of firearms falls under Article 222 of the Russian Criminal Code. It prescribes punishment for trade in arms and ammunition, and also for storage or transportation. Even a few bullets or a part of an explosive device can land you in court. The maximum punishment is eight years in jail.