ISSN 2184-8793 ISSNe 2975-9056 From the wording of the above law, one concludes that there is an explicit distinction of caves in two categories a) those for which there is evidence that they are linked with human existence, and b) those for which there is no such evidence. Article 6 par 4 of the same law stipulates that "ancient monumental buildings are protected by law, without requiring the issue of any administrative act", ie without requiring the issue of an act of monument characterization. Then in Article 7 par 1 there is a provision that "ancient monumental buildings dating back to 1453 are owned by the state and are things that can’t be subject to transactions or usucapion." As a result, caves are included in the monumental ancient buildings dating before 1453, for which there is evidence that they are linked to human existence. The Ministry of Culture and Sports is the competent authority for the caves of this category, i.e. caves for which there are findings proving previous human presence. According to PD 4/2018 regarding the organizational chart of the Ministry of Culture (Gov. Gazette Α’22) "the Ephorates of Palaeoanthropology - Speleology are responsible for caves and paleontological remains, for which there is evidence that they are linked with human existence; more specifically, for the identification, investigation, excavation, study as well as for the protection of caves and all kinds of findings found inside. They are also responsible for coordinating the paleoanthropological and paleontological research as well as for the promotion of the country’s speleological wealth”. The Ephorates of paleoanthropology – speleology is divided in departments, responsible for issues relating to caves. These departments are: 1) Department of Prehistoric and Historic Antiquities, responsible for planning, technically organizing and carrying through speleological excavation research of prehistoric (Palaeolithic to Bronze Age) and historic sites, for cave protection, for the study and promotion of findings in special speleological museums or exhibition halls of regional museums, as well as the stone carving lab for the study and classification of stone tools found in excavations and research. The department is also responsible for the appropriate layout of the caves and the surrounding natural environment, their conservation and protection, the supervision of current excavations, the autopsies for the identification of caves, the recording and electronic registration of cavities, positions and findings, the record keeping of photographs, drawings, maps, declarations, bibliographic information and library facilities. For the implementation of its goals, the Ephoria cooperates with the local government and local bodies and participates in European and international programs. 2) Department of Achaeological Works and Studies, Geology and Paleontology, responsible for identifying, exploring and evaluation of caves, as well as supervising the studies for their promotion, geological research and studies in terms of geomorphology, hydrogeology, paleoenvironment, sedimentology, petrology and geochemistry of the caves. Also, it is responsible for the operation of the Geological
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTE4NzM5Nw==