The Past Is Not What It Used to Be

Contemporary Myths, Cold War Nostalgia and Abandoned Soviet Nuclear Bases

Bibliographic Data

ID6045147
AuthorsGrzegorz Kiarszys (0000-0001-5304-7409, University of Szczecin, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume34
Issue4
Pages813-832
Publication date2024-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCambridge Archaeological Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0959-7743 • E-ISSN: 1474-0540
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s095977432400026x
OpenAlexW4403774210
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited22

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