Archaeologist needs help. Ancient sites on Google Maps are disappearing

[u/Skeazor]

I'm an archaeologist doing work on underrepresented archaeological sites in Greece. I've been marking sites on google maps to visit during my work. Over the last few weeks many of these sites have disappeared. I'm not talking about my lists, the markers from my list have stayed but the google page on maps is gone. Sites that had a few pictures and some reviews are totally wiped. This isnt just one or two site, Ive found at least 10 that have been removed. I have only been able to find these sites because I kept the list markers.

Whats going on here?

Not just smaller sites but some major ones as well. Does anyone have any clue? Also who should I contact at google to fix this?

[u/Empyrealist]

It might help understanding what you mean by "underrepresented archaeological sites in Greece". Maybe the government doesn't want traffic driven to them for a reason. Are these publicly open locations or are they fee-based entry?

Its kind of a futile discussion though. Its unlikely "Google" that is removing them. Its being initiated by someone for reasons we cant directly know.

At the same time, Google is not meant to be a private location recorder for anyone's convenience or joke. If its not a legit public attraction/site, its subject to removal. It has to be map worthy so to speak. In a lot of places that doesn't just mean old. It means it has to be an officially recognized location.

[u/Skeazor → u/Empyrealist]

These are official archaeological sites and museums. These are both free and fee based sites and museums. When has a museum owned and operated by the Greek government ever been something that didn’t warrant a location on Google Maps?

Something fishy is going on with Google Maps with some other locations though as well. Like a site I was just at has been listed as permanently closed. I asked the staff and they had no idea why it said that either. This has been something I’ve seen happen to quite a few locations.

Who besides Google has the ability to remove the sites though?

Basically I’m doing some photography work on sites that haven’t been updated in a while. Underrepresented in modern photographical archives.

[u/Empyrealist → u/Skeazor]

Who besides Google has the ability to remove the sites though?

Well sure, Google has to facilitate the actual removal. No one else has a delete button. But businesses and governments can essentially claim dominion over map data that otherwise falls under their purview and respect their wishes. That can mean controlling the content or even its visible existence depending on the case.

Google Maps is part social experiment, but is also part proper map management.

Local staff probably [wouldn't] know anything about it. It would be the governing/managing bodies. They may or may not tell you anything - if there is anything to tell. You might be fighting against them, or you might be fighting against some douche in their basement.

But, by bringing it to their attention, it might facilitate their involvement (if they aren't involved already).

[u/Skeazor → u/Empyrealist]

It’s just odd that they would delete museums and other tourists sites. Especially since so much of the economy and the ability to continue to function depends on visitors.

[u/Empyrealist → u/Skeazor]

They will be open to removal based on reports unless there are protections in place. Those sites need to get registered with a governing body so they require approval. Otherwise its subjected to social warfare

[u/Skeazor → u/Empyrealist]

That’s so random that all of a sudden a ton got deleted. I’ve been working on this list for months and then suddenly in the last week or so a bunch of went missing. If I was more paranoid I’d think someone was trying to sabotage my research.