The Past Is Not What It Used to Be

Contemporary Myths, Cold War Nostalgia and Abandoned Soviet Nuclear Bases

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6045147
AutoresGrzegorz Kiarszys (0000-0001-5304-7409, University of Szczecin, autor de correspondencia)
Año2024
Volumen34
Número4
Páginas813-832
Fecha de publicación2024-11-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCambridge Archaeological Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0959-7743 • E-ISSN: 1474-0540
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s095977432400026x
OpenAlexW4403774210
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas22

This article delves into the contemporary social perception of the three abandoned Soviet Cold War tactical nuclear bases in Poland, focusing on often overlooked phenomena in archaeological studies such as the contemporary myths (folk tales, contemporary legends, modern folklore, etc.) and nostalgia that have emerged around these sites. While contemporary myths and nostalgia are distinct phenomena with different outcomes, they share a common feature: a mythologized approach to the past. Established historical and archaeological narratives, derived from detailed studies, often coexist with alternative versions of the past inspired by folk imagination. This article aims to highlight their cultural value as an integral part of local identity, actively shaping the perception of material heritage. Contemporary myths offer insight into another layer of collective perception of the past, while nostalgia delves into the emotional aspects of human existence, coping with transience and searching for meaning

Ancient history · Cold war · Mythology · Political science · Politics · Archaeological Research and Protection · Classics · History · Law · Memory, Trauma, and Commemoration · Nuclear Issues and Defense