Många bäckar små : hur arkeologi och historiska källor kan användas i dagens vattenlagstiftning och rättsprocesser

Sammanfattning: Many small brooks - how archaeology and historical sources can be used in today's water legislation and legal processes This thesis analyses how archaeology and archaeologists can be involved in legal processes in different ways. It covers various examples of how historical and archaeological material can contribute as evidence; moreover, the process when the expertise of an archaeologist is required.  My intention is to apply legal archaeology in order to simplify knowledgebases regarding legal processes; therefore, the understanding of the legal history behind water powered industries and its historical legislation, one can retain a sufficient understanding of its current purpose and legal rights. The thesis addresses recent laws and regulations linked to both archaeology and water legislation; furthermore, it explains how history and archaeology are relevant in the current water legislation. I will use A. W. Brian Simpsons method for legal archaeology to study current water legislation. In order to use the method in knowledgebases I have reworked his method. The altered version is called: legal archeology in current legal proceedings. The results demonstrate that many older water powered industries can have legal rights based on permits from older legislation. For example, adverse possession and privilege letter. The laws that are linked to cultural heritage should have the same value as the laws that are linked to other interests. However, it seems that cultural heritage in practice does not have the legal protection that the law says, especially when cultural heritage is compared with other interests.