The ARCHAEOLOGIST

28 Pages·2010·1.45 MB·English

Autumn 2009
Number 73
The ARCHAEOLOGIST
This issue:
IfA CONFERENCE
2009 AND THE
IfA ANNUAL
REPORT
Rethinking
PPG 16
p8
The ACES project
p9
M5 in Memorium
p45
C
O N T E N T S
1 Contents
2 Editorial
3 From the finds tray
4 Formal review of IfA’s Disciplinary Process Andrea Bradley
page 10 5 Announcements of the results of Disciplinary Investigations
6 Rethinking PPG 16 Roger Thomas
8 PPG 16 and Archaeology in Museums Philip J Wise
9 The ACES Project: building a better understanding Kate Geary
10 IfA Conference: Torquay 2009
11 Industrial Archaeology: reaping the benefits of redevelopment? Kenneth Aitchison
12 That’s not my field: creating and maintaining professional identity in an interdisciplinary world
Andrea Bradley
13 An International Affair Catherine Cavanagh
16 Out of the Ether: information Management of Archaeologists Martin Newman
17 Post-Excavation and Project Management Amanda Forster and Rebecca Beardmore
18 Seaside Heritage: colourful past, bright future? Kathryn Whittington
page 39
19 IfA Annual Report 2008/9
36 Regulatory Change in the Marine Area: impacts on our underwater cultural heritage and maritime
archaeology Mark Dunkley
37 Workplace Training – new research, new skills and inspiration for the future Kate Geary
38 A look in the Rearview Mirror: the archaeologists who built our roads Kathryn Whittington
39 Conference Tours John Mullis and David Divers
40 Rethinking PPG 16 Andrea Bradley
page 41 41 ‘I’m on the train!’ – New technologies and the historic environment: a practical guide for geeks,
nerds and technophobes John Crawford
42 Communities in the Field Abby Guinness
page 48 44 Illustration and Survey: what do we need? Kathryn Whittington
45 M5 in Memorium Peter Fowler
48 Celebrating the counter intuitive heritage of Blackpool Jason Wood
51 Members news
52 New Members
Autumn 2009 Number 73 1
lOnce again the autumn issue of TAfocuses on the major topic of discussion at the seminar before this F R O M T H E F I N D S T R A Y
activities at our annual conference and our year year’s AGM, which returns to the Society of
long activities as an Institute in the form of the Antiquaries of London and will be held on 12
Annual Report, and once again you have a October.
temporary Editor to bring you this issue. Alison will
return in the winter with an issue focussing on The Institute continues to grow and change, and
aScotland and Wales. This issue contains reviews of we are currently working on the new Strategic Plan
the sessions from this year’s conference in Torquay. for 2011–2020 the draft structure of which is IfA’s Annual Conference 2010
Many interesting papers were given and we are available for comment on the IfA website, and will We are pleased to announce that our 2010 Annual
lucky that several speakers have generously be updated as we go through the process Conference will be in Southport at the Southport TAG 2009, Sessions confirmed and call for papers
allowed us to print their papers here alongside the (www.archaeologists.net/modules/icontent/index.php? Theatre and Convention Centre on 14–16 April. We Sessions have been accepted at TAG 2009 from Martin
reviews so that the whole membership can read page=224). This is an important document, as it received a great deal of positive feedback from this Newman of IfA’s Information Management Special
them. Peter Fowler’s memories of the M5 motorway outlines the work we will be doing for the next ten year’s conference and it seems that members are keen Interest Group, and Andrea Bradley and Peter Hinton of
iexcavations can be read on 45, and Jason Wood’s years, and it is important that we get member for us to continue to use professional conference IfA. Martin’s session, ‘On the record: the philosophy of
praise of Blackpool on page 48. Two papers from feedback so please do read it and send your thoughts facilities. With this in mind we have chosen to repeat recording’ aims to look and why and how we choose to
the session ‘Rethinking PPG 16’ can be read from to [email protected]. this format, though in a location further to the north. record archaeology and whether the choices we make
page 6. These are particularly timely; since the The facilities are excellent and the centre is within easy can be regarded as artefacts in their own right. Andrea
conference the draft version of PPS 15 and On a final point, next year’s conference will be in distance of a large number of hotels. Southport also and Pete’s session, ‘Bad archaeology: a debate between
associated guidance has been published for Southport from 14–16 April 2010. We had excellent boasts a large number of attractions and is easily academic and commercial archaeologists’, looks at the
rconsultation. Readers may find it interesting to feedback from delegates about this year’s conference reached by car, rail or air. For the first time this year we tricky issue of what Good and Bad Archaeology is, and
decide to what degree the two writer’s aspirations centre, so we are continuing to use specialist have chosen to break our traditional link with the week where it is found. Proposals for papers are being
have, or have not, been met by the proposed facilities, but this time are heading further north. We running up to Easter. We hope that this allows people accepted until the end of September. See the TAG
guidance, please send us your views for inclusion in hope to see as many of you as usual there. who normally find the timing difficult to make it to website www.dur.ac.uk/tag.2009/call_papers.html for
the IfA’s response. The Institute will be responding to conference next year. more details.
this draft and we anticipate that this will be the
o
Workshop: Ancient cremations: reigniting
Note for insolvency practitioners
the debate
IfA hopes that none of its members will ever need to refer administrators and
9–10 October 2009, Cardiff University School
Kathryn Whittington liquidators to an advice note on what to do when an archaeological organisation
of History and Archaeology
Public Relations Coordinator becomes insolvent or goes into administration, but should that situation arise
Róisin McCarthy, one of our HLF funded
information is now available from IfA. It can be downloaded from our website at
bursary holders, is hosting a two-day
www.archaeologists.net/modules/icontent/inPages/docs/administratorsliquidators.pdf
workshop on ancient cremations at Cardiff
t
University. The keynote speaker will be
Wessex Archaeology’s Jacqueline McKinley,
and the themes will cover experimental
Is England’s Past for Everyone? learning and outreach in the historic cremation, post-graduate research into the
environment area and evidence of ritual practice. The
2–3 October 2009, Armada House, Bristol registration deadline is 30 September 2010,
i
Supported by Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage and the Council for please email [email protected] for
Delegates outside this year’s conference venue. © Sarah Cole Photography British Archaeology, this conference marks the conclusion of the Victoria more information or to book a place to
County History project, England’s Past for Everyone. Aimed at teachers and discuss these burning issues.
learning professionals, colleagues from the heritage and museum sectors,
local authorities and those involved in setting up or running volunteer
Notes to contributors Contributions and letter/emails are always welcome. TAis made digitally EDITED by projects, the conference will cover topics such as identifying local funding
d available through our website and if this raises copyright issues with any Kathryn Whittington, partners, running successful outreach projects, and working with schools.
Themes and deadlines authors, artists or photographers, please notify the editor. Accessed IfA, SHES, There will also be the chance to get outside and explore the diverse history
Winter: Archaeology in Scotland digitally, web links are especially useful in articles, so do include these University of Reading, of Bristol itself. Apology
and Wales where relevant. Short articles (max. 1000 words) are preferred. They Whiteknights, PO Box 227, On page 8 of issue 72 of The
deadline: 15 October 2009 should be sent as an email attachment, which must include captions and Reading RG6 6AB Online booking now available at Archaeologist we incorrectly printed Eliza
credits for illustrations. The editor well edit and shorten if necessary. www.EnglandsPastforEveryone.org.uk/conference Alqassar’s name as Algassar and didn’t
publish her up-to-date employment
Spring: tbc Illustrations are very important. These can be supplied as originals, on DESIGNED and TYPESET
details. Although she used to work for
CD or as email attachments, at a minimum resolutions of 500kb. More by Sue Cawood
E Cambridgeshire County Council she is
detailed notes for contributorsfor each issue are available from the
now Archaeological Planning and
editor. Options expressed in The Archaeologistare those of the authors PRINTED by Duffield Conservation Officer at Buckinghamshire
and not necessarily those of IfA. Printers ltd (Leeds) County Council.
2 The Archaeologist Autumn 2009 Number 73 3
w ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE RESULTS
e OF DISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATIONS
i
v
Formal review The Disciplinary Regulations of the IfA
Case number one the requirements of a Written Scheme of
e require a regular review by an external
Investigation, breached the principles of the Code of
of IfA’s disciplinary authority of the allegations dealt with
r The Institute’s Disciplinary regulations set out the conduct1.12 and 3.3.1 of the Standards & guidance
under the Institute’s disciplinary
disciplinary procedure by which the Institute will for Archaeological Watching Briefs and

procedures procedures. On 19 August 2008, Mr Peter determine whether an allegation requires formal Archaeological Field Evaluation. In addition, in his
w
Savill (Counsel, of 12 College Place, investigation, and if it does how that investigation will failure to respond to reasonable curatorial requests,
Southampton) carried out a review of the be carried out. If formal disciplinary proceedings take Dr Ford had breached the IfA Code of approved
e Andrea Bradley IfA’s system for dealing with disciplinary place, each party is given an opportunity to present practice for the regulation of contractual
his/her case or to defend himself/herself against the arrangements in archaeologyclause 17. The Panel 1
matters at the IfA office in Reading,
i allegation. The procedures also allow for representation agreed that sanction should be in the form of a
inspecting files and reports from all cases
v and appeal against the findings and any sanctions. formal reprimand, the wording of which would be
brought since the last review which took prepared by the IfA (Executive Committee). The IfA
e place in July 2006. In the event of a formal reprimand the Institute will should publish an account of the case in accordance
publish an account of the case and may identify the with article 37 of the Disciplinary regulations.
r
Mr Savill produced a report to summarise the member concerned.
outcome of the review, which found that ‘the IfA, Therefore, ‘ln accordance with clause 22 of the lfA’s
w its officers and those tasked with performing roles A Disciplinary Inquiry Panel conducted a hearing on Disciplinary regulations you are formally
within the disciplinary process, have acted 28 January 2009 to investigate allegations that Dr reprimanded for breaching the Code of conduct, by
diligently and properly’. Overall, Mr Savill was Steve Ford MIfA had breached the Code of conduct. failing to follow a Written Scheme of Investigation,
e satisfied that the Institute has been treating Following an appeal by Dr Ford an Appeal Panel and for breaching the IfA Code of approved practice
disciplinary matters in a ‘fair, transparent and conducted a hearing on 29 June 2009. The Appeal clause 17 by failing to respond to reasonable
i
impartial manner and takes seriously its Panel found that Dr Ford had, in his failure to follow curatorial requests’.
v
responsibilities’, complying fully with the
Regulations. His report identifies some areas for
e
improvement in the process, but confirmed that the
system as it stands is ‘evidently fit for purpose’. Case number two Member of the Institute had not acted in accordance
r
with Rule 1.7 of the Code of conduct.
Recommendations for improvement of the system The Institute’s Disciplinary Regulations set out the
w included more detailed logging of correspondence disciplinary procedure by which the Institute will Recognising the circumstances of the case, Council
and documentation (building on improvements determine whether an allegation requires formal agreed with the Panel’s recommendation, in
made since the last review) more detailed recording investigation, and if it does how that investigation accordance with clause 22 of the IfA’s Disciplinary
e
and formalisation of correspondence issued will be carried out. If formal disciplinary proceedings Regulations, that the appropriate sanction is an
between the organisation and investigators, more take place, each party is given an opportunity to anonymous formal reprimand:
i
timely and detailed communication of procedures present his/her case or to defend himself/herself
v
to those under investigation and more against the allegation. The procedures also allow for ‘ln accordance with clause 22 of the lfA’s 2
e comprehensive recording of decisions and representation and appeal against the findings and Disciplinary Regulations you are formally
outcomes of the process. Mr Savill also offered his any sanctions. reprimanded for deliberately making material
r opinion and advice in relation to three areas of the misrepresentations in the course of a formal
Regulations themselves, relating to terminology, the In the event of a formal reprimand the Institute will application for membership of the Institute and with

enforcement of regulations and procedures for publish an account of the case and may identify the a view to facilitating your validation as a member.
w
appeal. member concerned.
In particular, you are reminded that all members of
e IfA Council has taken into consideration Mr Savill’s A Disciplinary Inquiry Panel conducted a hearing on the Institute have a continuing duty under Rule 1.7 of
recommendations and the system has been altered 16 January 2008 to investigate allegations that a the lfA’s Code of conductto abstain from conduct
i in line with his recommended improvements. The member had breached various clauses of the Code of involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or
v next review will be carried out at the end of 2009. conduct. Following an appeal by the individual misrepresentation in archaeological matters and not
concerned an Appeal Panel conducted a hearing on knowingly to permit the use of their name in support
e Andrea Bradley 24 November 2008. The Appeal Panel found that a of activities involving such conduct’.
IfA
r
[email protected]
4 The Archaeologist Autumn 2009 Number 73 5
P P G 1 6
R e t h i n k i n g
Roger M Thomas
The emphasis of PPG16 (or at least, in the way it has the EU EIA Directives, and development-led
been interpreted by practitioners) lies very much on a excavation appears to fall under it. (This could also
notion of ‘recording’. The phrase ‘preservation by be termed ‘compensation’ but this term can carry an
On 24 July the draft PPS ‘Planning for the record’ is common shorthand: if archaeological implication of financial payment in return for
remains cannot be preserved intact, a ‘record’ of damage, and may therefore be best avoided.)
Historic Environment’ was released for
what has been destroyed can (so the thinking goes)
consultation. This will replace the legislation serve as some kind of substitute for the remains I believe that this ‘rethinking’, to look at
themselves. development-led investigation in a new way, would
which has shaped the way commercial
bring a number of benefits
archaeology operates for the last 18 years. At
Of course, this is generally recognised to be a rather
conference this year a session ‘Rethinking flawed argument. Once the remains have been ■ First, it makes it explicit that the purpose of Of course, moving to this way of doing things would
destroyed, their original archaeological potential has development-led archaeological work is to make pose significant challenges for all concerned, and
PPG16’looked at the legacy of PPG16, and
been lost irretrievably (however thorough any prior useful contributions to knowledge. devising satisfactory procurement and regulatory
ways in which the new planning legislation excavation has been). systems would need careful thought. In particular,
can improve upon our current practise. A ■ Second, it aligns the test for the adequacy of there might need to be much more investment ‘up-
Perhaps because of unease with the phrase proposed development-led work with that for front’ of time, thought and effort in developing
review of the session can be seen on page
‘preservation by record’, the term ‘mitigation’ is often whether ‘research’ excavation on an unthreatened project designs and methodologies.
40 but two of the sessions contributors, used to describe development-led excavation. This site should be permitted. In each case, the test
also seems wrong, though. The word ‘mitigation’ would be: ‘will the anticipated again in However, and notwithstanding the challenges of
Roger M Thomas, and Philip Wise have
means the reduction of harm, but the harm caused to knowledge and understanding be enough to make implementing such an approach in practice, I am
kindly provided their papers for fuller archaeological remains by destroying them cannot up for the loss of the remains themselves?’. This is convinced that it is the right direction in which to go
publication. These were written before the really be ‘mitigated’, because the harm is total. a coherent and logical position. in. Very substantial resources are being devoted to
development-led archaeology, and it is incumbent on
publication of the draft PPS.
In short, although much very good archaeology has ■ Third, an emphasis on producing knowledge and us to ensure that we maximise the value of the results
been carried out under PPG16, the policy itself understanding would place a premium on obtained. Moving to a system which emphasises the
emphasises the making of records, more or less as an academic insight, innovation and elegance in production of knowledge and understanding, rather
end in itself. PPG 16 does not stress that the purpose research design. At present, competition seems than of records, seems an essential step in the
of archaeological work is to make socially often to be on the basis of who can ‘record’ a evolution of our professional practice.
worthwhile contributions to our understanding of the given body of deposits at the lowest cost. If the
PPG16 has brought many benefits in England: past. aim was to increase understanding, the question
greatly improved archaeological protection, would be: who can secure the optimum balance This piece was written before the consultation draft
increased archaeological investigation and a It is, though, extremely important that we are able to between the resources spent and the results (in of PPS15 and its accompanying practice guide were
powerful stimulus to the development of demonstrate the public benefit which our work terms of increased understanding) obtained. This published.Both documents emphasise the need for
professional standards in archaeology. Now, with produces. For this reason, I believe we should could result in greater increases in understanding development-led investigations to yield advances in
a new Planning Policy Statement (PPS) for England ‘rethink’ the way we look at development-led being obtained for the same level of expenditure. understanding,and for that new understanding to be
on Planning and the Historic Environmenton the archaeological work. In some cases, it might even result in lower costs made publicly available.This provides the policy
horizon, it is opportune to consider what might for developers, through particular investigations basis for implementing the approach outlined above.
be improved on for the future, both in English In essence, rather than seeing such work as an being more sharply-focussed. In all cases,
and other UK planning guidance. This piece attempt at ‘preservation by record’ or as ‘mitigation’ continuous critical review of resource allocations
concentrates on one specific (but central) issue: (an attempt to ‘reduce the harm’ to remains), we in relation to emerging results would be needed Roger M Thomas
the approach we take to development-led should see it as a form of offsetting. Development- throughout every stage of the work. English Heritage, Head of Urban Archaeology
excavation. led archaeology should be seen as a process which e-mail: [email protected]
provides a benefit of one kind (increased This approach might lead to more satisfying work (as
understanding of the past) in return for – or to offset it would be aimed at producing a clear public
– a harm of a different kind (the irreversible loss of benefit), and also to a situation in which it was
archaeological potential which occurs when remains commercially advantageous to reward intellectual
are destroyed). ‘Offsetting’ is a term which is used in and academic excellence.
6 The Archaeologist Autumn 2009 Number 73 7
P P G 1 6 The ACES project –
and Archaeology in Museums
building a better understanding Kate Geary
Philip J Wise ACES stands for Archaeology and
Construction Engineering Skills and is a
promoted a better understanding between the
Leonardo Da Vinci-funded project that
archaeology and construction sectors but has also
aims to increase understanding and
enabled a better understanding between
From a museum perspective PPG16 has been a ground. This lies in the hands of others: the cooperation between archaeology and archaeologists and engineers across the partner
disaster; there is no reference to the role of development control archaeologist, the project the construction sector through training. countries.
museums and as a result the concerns of museum manager and the developer.
archaeologists have been ignored. More information about the project can be found on
The results of these two premises – keep everything the project website at http://aces-project.eu. The
and keep it for ever – has been a long term challenge The project partnership, led by IfA, includes project is due to complete in November 2009.
The first omission in PPG16 relates to ensuring that for museums, which in some individual cases has archaeologists and construction specialists from
information resulting from excavation and other resulted in a crisis. This may manifest itself in two Turkey, Poland, Norway and the UK. Drawing on the Kate Geary
fieldwork is available to the public. Museums have a ways experience of all the partners, the project has so far IfA Training and Standards Manager
leading role here as we are often seen by the public developed good practice guidance for managing the [email protected]
as a key resource for understanding an area’s 1 some museums have reached capacity and are relationship between archaeology and construction
archaeology, yet too often the information is unable to accept any more archives specific to each country. The next stage is to distil the
inaccessible in ‘grey literature’, seen by many common elements of this national guidance into Excavations at Fenchurch
archaeologists as inadequate. There are, of course, 2 others have tried to keep pace but archives are trans-national e-learning modules which can be Street, London. Photo:
many units with excellent publication records and we now being stored in unsuitable conditions as delivered to students and as CPD to archaeology and Wessex Archaeology Ltd
should also acknowledge the role of English Heritage museum directors struggle to find space to construction professionals across the partner
in funding the recent Roman Grey Literature Project accommodate the tide of material coming in countries and beyond.
undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology. The fact
remains, however, that there is no requirement in However many, if not all, of these crisis situations The aim of the e-learning modules is not to train
PPG16 to publish. could have been avoided if a requirement had placed construction engineers to be archaeologists (or vice
on the developer to make adequate arrangements for versa) but to promote a better understanding of each
The second omission relates to the long - term the deposition of excavation archives in museums. sector’s priorities and requirements at the different
curation of archaeological archives. This is of stages of a development or construction project. In
particular concern as the onus tends to fall on local Slowly and painfully some museums are grappling the UK, this builds on, and is supported by, the good
authority museums, which are being increasingly with these issues. The Museum of London is practice guide Archaeology and development – a
squeezed in terms of funding and geographical remit. undoubtedly the trail blazer here with its LAARC good practice guide to managing risk and maximising
Many museums feel that it would have been project, and the MLA and EH are now working on a benefit (Barber et al 2008) produced by CIRIA in
reasonable for the financial responsibility for storage, joint approach. The Archaeological Archive Forum partnership with IfA. The importance of early
as well as excavation, to have been placed on also acts a meeting place for the sector and has archaeological advice in any construction project is a
developers. achieved some success, most notably with the recent key message throughout, as is the promotion of a
publication of ‘Archaeological archives: a guide to better understanding of health and safety
The situation has been made infinitely worse by two best practice in creation, compilation, transfer and requirements.
premises which have been prevalent in archaeology curation’.
for many years. Firstly, that excavation is an The e-learning modules will be developed over the
unrepeatable experiment and consequently there is a So to satisfy the needs of museum archaeology a summer and are due to be tested early in the
duty to preserve the results of this experiment ‘by revised PPG16 must insist on the publication of the Autumn. The engineering module, aimed at
record’ which can thus be continually re-interpreted results of fieldwork. It must also include a clear role archaeologists, will be tested on a range of
for infinity. The record is, in effect, a virtual for museums in terms of the long-term maintenance professionals, including contractors, curators and
archaeological site. Secondly, that museums have a of the excavation archive. Lastly it must address the consultants, at different stages in their career in order
duty to preserve their collections for ever. This is issue of the future funding of archives in museums. to determine the best target audience. Work at Heathrow’s
especially difficult because museums do not chose Terminal 5 by
what they are expected to collect – they cannot Philip J Wise Working with partners from a range of European Framework Archaeology.
decide how much archaeology comes out of the Chairman Society of Museum Archaeologists countries, each with their own systems for dealing Photo: Wessex
with the archaeology-construction relationship, has Archaeology Ltd
thrown up some interesting challenges, but the
sharing of experiences and best practice has been
very valuable. As a result, the project has not only
8 The Archaeologist Autumn 2009 Number 73 9
C o n f e r e n c e 2 0 0 9 C o n f e r e n c e S e s s i o n
Industrial Archaeology:
Some of the reaping the benefits of redevelopment?
Kenneth Aitchison
many exhibitors.
© Sarah Cole
Photography
y
We didn’t realise it at the time, but the IfA successful commercial archaeology had been in
g
conference session “Industrial archaeology: developing cutting-edge methodologies and
o
interpretations for industrial archaeology. PPGs 16
reaping the benefits of development?” may have
l
been a last public hurrah for the archaeology of and 15 in England have taken the discipline far from o
its first principles and the hobbyist environment with
the industrial transition. Since the April e
a disproportionate focus on artefacts over monuments
a
conference, we have learned that the University
in which industrial archaeology was still deeply
h
of Manchester is to close the University of embedded within twenty years ago. The development
c
Manchester Archaeology Unit and that of the brownfield sites has been a series of one-off
Three hundred delegates Ironbridge Archaeology is no longer renewing opportunities to add to our knowledge of the recent r
a
attended IfA’s three-day past, which has been seized superbly – but now the
staff contracts. These two powerhouses of
conference in Torquay skills and understanding that made that knowledge-
industrial archaeology are effectively no more. l
this year. For the first creation possible may be at risk of being lost forever. a
time we chose to use a One of the session slides showed a trench quite i
r
conference centre, and literally full of scissors – now we know that this can
t
all were impressed with Organisations that specialise in the archaeology of be a painful experience. A painfsul experience
the facilities available. industrial production and consumption will – scissours removed
There was an enjoyable inevitably end up working on a very high proportion Kenneth Aitchison from a dtrench. Photo:
range of events, displays of brownfield sites – and these were the first sites IfA Head of Projects and Professional Development South Yorkshire
n
y and trips to see historic houses in Devon, Torre where work stopped. While transport infrastructure Archaeology Service
a Abbey and Kents Cavern. Summaries and reviews and large-scale engineering projects may be i
u are available in this issue, and in several cases we continuing, albeit at a lower level of intensity than at
q have had papers submitted for inclusion as well. this time last year, it is site investigation budgets
The stage is set for the annual conference © Sarah Cole Photography
r You may have already seen the papers relating to (including archaeology) on smaller scale projects –
o PPG 16, but we have also printed papers from such as housing on brownfield infill – that have been
T Peter Fowler on the M5 excavations and from cut most heavily by developers.
Jason Wood on the heritage of Blackpool.
:
e But these have not been cases of over-specialised
We are extremely grateful to our sponsors, session organisations that were unable to diversify their
c
organisers and speakers for their continued income streams. Both of those organisations did
n
support and help with event. Special thanks also plenty of non-industrial archaeology, they were just
e
have to be given to the conference centre staff who very good at that particular specialist angle. The
r helped make the conference run so smoothly. We problem has been that their parent organisations –
e
hope to see you next year in Southport. the University of Manchester and the Ironbridge
f
n Gorge Museum Trust – did not allow their
commercial archaeological companies to build up
o
reserves that would see them through difficult times,
C
and when they were no longer providing them with
sufficient income (as had done throughout the boom
l
years of the late 90s and first eight years of this
a
decade) they have just switched off the financial
u
support.
n
n
The session itself – organised by two curators, Jim
A McNeilof South Yorkshire Archaeology Service and
Helen Gomersallfrom West Yorkshire Archaeology

A Service, was a great success. It showed just how
f
I The English Riviera. © Sarah Cole Photography
10 The Archaeologist Autumn 2009 Number 73 11
C o n f e r e n c e S e s s i o n Questions raised by the session included C o n f e r e n c e S e s s i o n
• what is our professional identity and what can we
An International Affair
do to reinforce it positively? Do we value our
That’s not my field: unique contribution and demonstrate that value to
IfA Buildings Archaeology Group
others the best that we can? Do we and do others Catherine Cavanagh
creating and maintaining
see us in a positive or negative light? Would we
want to change our identity and what would we
professional identity in
change? (Andrea Bradley)
Andrea Bradley As buildings archaeology progresses in its The church of Beta Maryam
an interdisciplinary • in a multidisciplinary world, where do we sit in methods and applications, so too does its was conserved in the 1960s
relation to colleagues in planning, urban design world - wide appeal. Last year’s Buildings and has recently received
world
and construction, and how can we learn from protective roofing. It is part of
Archaeology Group (BAG) newsletter included
y each other’s needs and approaches? How do we the site of Lalibela, one of
projects in Hong Kong, Afghanistan and
t open up new dialogues and break with tradition in the most famous and most
i the way we do things to achieve common goals? Malawi. This year’s conference session visited tourist attractions in
t
n This session developed from an interest in the (Steve Shaw, Andrew Townsend) continued BAG’s exploration of the global. sub-Saharan Africa, which
concept of ‘professional identity’. Every has 11 rock-carved churches
e
• in interdisciplinary terms, what is the location and
profession is talking about it: economists, thought to date to the 13th
d nature of archaeology itself and its boundaries
Papers covered a mix of policy and practice in century. © Niall Finneran
teachers, IT and medical professionals,
i with other disciplines such as art, conservation or
Albania, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Cambodia, Ethiopia and
therapists, bankers, literary experts and museum studies? How can we share the roles of
l Portugal, yet common themes emerged and were
a mathematicians. As archaeologists we must interpretation and representation? For example,
expanded on in lively discussion sessions chaired by
n also think seriously about who we are and how far are, say, artistic methods of representation
Michael Rhodes, who has experience of working in
o where we want to be – particularly at a time comparable to the way we ourselves create the Hong Kong. Comparing practice in different inscribed sites are immediately put on the danger list.
archaeological ‘record’ we produce? (Alistair
i when we are being thrown together with so countries, the result of different twentieth century Angkor, not rediscovered until the nineteenth century,
s Grant)
many different disciplines working in the regimes (from communism to dictatorship) shone a became a WHS and was put on the WHS in Danger
s
light on approaches in the UK. list at the same time; it took about twelve years for it
e ‘historic environment’. • how do we imagine ourselves (what is our
to lose its danger status due to the civil war.
f ‘culture’?) and how are we imagined by society
o (public, clients, government)? What is our duty to Policy and politics
r The session aimed to question and to explore the the public in our relations with them and in the Brian Ayersnoted that Albanian policy and practice
y
p identity of archaeologists from the point of view both way we present ourselves? (Greg Bailey) World Heritage Sites (WHS) were the subject of four are more closely intertwined than in the UK,
g
of archaeologists and of non archaeologists. Speakers of the papers - Angkor, Brasilia, Butrint and Laliblela. although the system is more bureaucratic and relies
were Steve Shaw of the Cities Institute, London • and ultimately, what is it to be an archaeologist However, UNESCO WHS status, for all its kudos, on a high level of private funding. Fortunately, Butrint o
Metropolitan University, Andrew Townsend, Bristol today, and what should it be in the future? (papers does not guarantee statutory protection in individual did not become the nuclear base that Khrushchev l
o
& Region Archaeological Services and Chartered will soon be able to be viewed on our website at countries. Conservation work at Lalibela is funded by considered it suitable for when he visited, but perhaps
Institute of Building (CIOB), Alistair Grant, public www.archaeologists.net/modules/icontent/index.php?) the World Bank and European Union, but the site has we could learn from Albanian construction police e
Alistair Grant artist, Greg Bailey, University of Bristol (screen How can we broaden our horizons, our theory no effective management plan and coordination of who have the power to bulldoze illegal development? a
discusses his public art media and archaeology), producer of ‘The Van’, and and our method while keeping our identity intact? permissions is tricky, as it effectively comes under the h
projects.© Sarah Cole Andrew Marvell,Chief Executive of Glamorgan- (Andrew Marvell) protection of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church while Brazil is at the forefront of conservation but with c
Photography Gwent Archaeological Trust. permits for archaeological work are controlled by the three tiers of government that can list buildings, r
As archaeologists we know that when environmental Antiquities Authority. heritage legislation is complex. In fact, it even a
or market forces change, the political situation is restricted Oscar Neimeyer, the centenarian architect
s
volatile or threatening, a community’s identity is Even in England and Wales, protection cannot be of Brasilia, from altering his previous designs in
g
often exerted or reinforced in response. It would be assumed; WHS are identified in the draft Heritage Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo. Advantages over the
n
nice to think that in these months and years of Bill, which is on hold, and are intended to be defined system in England for example, are that movable
i
economic instability, there is not only a challenge as Heritage Assets alongside the other designation fittings and collections can be designated and that
d
to be overcome but also an opportunity to redefine categories. Since the conference, the government setting is a material consideration. Brazil was among
l
and strengthen our identity. We need a strong department for Communities and Local Government the first countries to realise the value of their i
u
professional profile, but it might be dangerous to has published a Planning Circular on the Protection modernist heritage through designation. It also had
sustain an identity anachronistically – the message of World Heritage in England, accompanied by clear listing criteria from the start, while England has b
from this session was move with the times, embrace Guidance for the Protection and Management of only recently defined these.
change, adopt a new image, new technologies and World Heritage Sites in Englandfrom English
new ways of seeing and doing – it will make us Heritage. International links
stronger. But don’t let us forget who we are in the
process. But WHS inscription has the potential to influence The presentations may have inspired holiday plans
local procedures. If the condition to have national among the audience, but tourism is a threat as well
Andrea Bradley legislation and a buffer zone in place is not met, as an opportunity for international links and funding.
12 The Archaeologist Autumn 2009 Number 73 13
C o n f e r e n c e S e s s i o n Arqueologia, although a commercial company, has a C o n f e r e n c e S e s s i o n
strong improving ethos. It has created a database of
materials used in construction, and provides training
for colleagues in other organisations – our own Peter
Decorated, reinforced concrete bus shelters are a distinctive and
Hinton having been invited to speak at one of its
ubiquitous feature of roadsides throughout the countries of the
Lalibela now has an airport, reducing what was a conferences. It is fortunate that Dryas Arqueologia is
former USSR. The themes of these mosaics in Azerbaijan reflect local
three-day journey until the 1960s but increasing the taking the initiative as, despite five universities
folklore, customs or industries and often include soviet-era
impact of tourism. In Angkor, visitor numbers have providing archaeology courses in Portugal, none do
symbolism. © Dick Moore
grown from 40,000 to 2 million in 2008; yet this buildings archaeology nor are there any restoration-
y
interest means that the WHS is jointly coordinated by focussed architectural courses.
g
France, Japan, and UNESCO. Cambodia’s competent
o
heritage authority, APSARA, is in part the result of Part of leaving a legacy is using local craftsmen, collaborative working. It suggested a positive future for
y
multi-national technical and political collaboration. working with young archaeologists, and providing buildings archaeology but that more training and l
g o
training. At Butrint, this process has come full circle contrasting philosophical approaches of these greater recognition of its importance is required.
o e
Dick Moore’s response to threatened bus shelters was with Albanians now training American archaeologists. countries, such as on whether to conserve, replace or
l a
o a personal one: along with many visitors to rural The speakers agreed that working with students is re-carve statuary faking a damaged appearance. This summary is based on my interpretation of the
h
Azerbaijan, he was entranced by the mosaic designs useful and engenders reciprocal benefits. Despite different techniques and attitudes to following papers and related discussion. Further details
e
of the post-World War II bus shelters, but this was International teams are learning from one another’s conservation, collaboration has proved beneficial for of the papers and our newsletters are available from Butrint isc an Archaic
a
tempered by local negativity towards the outmoded approaches to conservation in Angkor, and an the country and its conservation policies. the BAG pages of the IfA website. Greek, Rroman, Late
h a
iconography of the former Soviet Union. Despite the Ethiopian research student in Winchester is training to Antique, Byzantine and
c existence of a nationwide historic environment be recognised as a church archaeologist. Geraint Buildings archaeology Coimbra, Portugal Lília Basílio,Dryas Arqueologia Venetian site in
s
r
record, legislation is necessary to ensure this aspect Franklinwas fortunate to spend two months on Butrint, Albania Brian Ayers,The Butrint Foundation southern gAlbania
a
of the country’s past is not lost but, without local secondment with the state heritage agency IPHAN, In contrast to conservation, the role of archaeology is Lalibela, Ethiopia Dr Niall Finneran,University of opposite Corfu. For the
n

s support, funding for protection or recording are and in October 2009 he is leading a tour of Brazil for to record and understand, an approach which has Winchester last 15 years, the
i
g unlikely. This highlights the issue of different cultural the Twentieth Century Society. been criticised as enabling the loss of assets that have Azerbaijan Dick Moore,Network Archaeology Butrint Fodundation has
n values, and possible conflicts between local and been documented. At Coimbra and elsewhere, the Angkor Alexandra Coxen,English Heritage and been wolrking with
international heritage, political ideology and public Conservation developer can use recording to improve public ICOMOS Cambodia. Albaniani colleagues
i u
d art, drawing parallels with murals in Belfast and attitudes towards demolition and Dryas capitalised on Brazil Geraint Franklin,English Heritage and authorities to
l Sardinia. We ignore intangible values at our peril, Many of the risks to the historic environment were this, asking the council to sponsor information panels protect, cbonserve and
i and the priority in Butrint is to work with local identified as natural, such as rising water levels or on the site, a short course and exhibition – perhaps Catherine Cavanaghwith a debt to those at the session present the site and its
u
communities and partners to ensure a sustainable earth tremors in Butrint, and pervasive vegetation we in the UK should be more ambitious? Buildings Archaeology Group environs. © Butrint
b
Lília Basílio speaks in future that embraces tourism. there and at Angkor. While in Azerbaijan, road [email protected] Foundation
the Buildings improvements, changing ideology and neglect impact When archaeological recording is unlikely to
Archaeology Group Inspired by the Coimbra project, Lília Basílioand her on street furniture. Designation and development happen, for example of the bus shelters in
session. © Sarah Cole colleagues have taught themselves to analyse control are key issues in Brazil and Portugal. Azerbaijan, what is the solution – guerrilla recording
Photography buildings and are spreading the word. Dryas and posting images online? Previous study of Lalibela
On-site conservation in Albania has been informed has been largely limited to the field of art and
by targeted research and supported by developments architectural history, heavily descriptive but with little
in public policy, procedure and practice. The work thought to the analysis of the building techniques
has been undertaken against a backdrop of and construction history of the excavations
exceptionally rapid change in the country presenting themselves. Niall Finneranhighlighted how buildings
considerable challenges. archaeology can add more detail to the story of this
Ethiopian site.
What of the philosophy of conservation? Lalibela’s
churches were originally hidden, reached by Not only is analysis of buildings rare in Africa, in
underground passages, but the need to preserve them Portugal its inclusion in archaeological projects
has changed their setting: they are now viewed as remains marginal, mainly restricted to a few
they were never designed to be, and the protective academic teams and concentrated on ecclesiastical
roof has a striking visual impact. In Angkor, buildings – publication is rare. It has yet to pervade
conservation teams from different countries work Portuguese contract archaeology, where 80% of
alongside each other, as much as they can given the archaeological work is developer-funded, and to
400km2scale of the site; alongside Cambodian some extent the same could be said of the UK.
experts, countries as diverse as Japan, France, India,
Poland, China, Germany, Italy and the USA are The overall tenet of the session, across five
represented. Alexandra Coxenhighlighted the continents, was a welcome to interdisciplinary and
14 The Archaeologist Autumn 2009 Number 73 15
C o n f e r e n c e S e s s i o n Post-Excavation and C o n f e r e n c e S e s s i o n
Project Management
Out of the Ether: Amanda Forster and
Does post-excavation ever
Rebecca Beardmore
Information
go to plan....? Reflections
Management for management techniques and approaches to
on a session on post- n
publication, alongside project specific examples
Archaeologists o
excavation management providing a spotlight on the areas outlined above. The
discussion that followed the session picked up on i
t
most of the points raised throughout the day, and it is a
Martin Newman probably fair to say that everyone attending felt the v
session had been interesting and stimulating, if a
At the beginning of 2008 Birmingham
inconclusive. c
Archaeology began a HLF/IfA Bursary placement
x
in Post-Excavation Management which aimed to The session confirmed that problems in post-
e
presenting a case study using the Heritage Gateway. provide a hands-on training programme in the excavation run deep, and cannot be solved by the
-
It's not just potsherds This is a web portal for historic environment data mechanics of analysing and publishing the results introduction of process alone. The prevailing t
managed by the National Monuments Record at impression was that, from every corner of the post- s
and bones any more. This session was the first event organised by the of archaeological investigation. To aid the training
English Heritage that uses web services to collate and excavation experience, there are some common o
Information new Information Management Special Interest programme, post-excavation management was
present datasets from differing sources. The final contributing issues which add to the problems in p
management is integral
Group (IMSIG). The session was preceded by split up into the range of tasks a manager may
paper of the session also dealt with access via a post-excavation. A resounding conclusion of the
to modern
the group’s AGM including the election of a portal: Dan Hulland Stuart Jeffreypresented a web undertake or require during the analysis, session was that across the profession and
archaeological practice.
committee. services case study, HEIRNET the Historic Environment publication and eventual deposition of an within projects, there is a demonstrable
Photo: Edmund Lee
Information Network (www.britarch.ac.uk/heirnet/). archaeological archive. The process of splitting up need for more open and honest
communication during the post-excavation
the role itself highlights the complexity of the
The session opened with a paper by Edmund Lee Those who presented papers have been invited to process. Added to that, from specialists,
process, and perhaps also explains why the role
t titled ‘Everything we know informs everything we do’ contribute versions for inclusion in the first edition of managers, planning archaeologists and
n of Post-Excavation Manager within commercial
A vision for Information Management. This set the the group’s newsletter. Future IMSIG events are being ultimately through to clients, there is a
e scene for the papers that followed by examining the planned including a joint meeting with the Forum on organisations is becoming increasingly common. professional desire for consistency so that
m current state of historic environment information Information Standards in Heritage (FISH). If you Despite management tools such as MAP2 and all involved in the project are aware of
management in theoretical terms as well as looking would like to join this new group please contact the MoRPHE, and the apparent development of what is expected and what can be achieved
e at what needs to be undertaken to make information IfA office. For information on the activities of the specialists in Post-Excavation Management, the at different stages of reporting (e g
g management central to good practice. Case studies IMSIG see the group’s page on the IfA website evaluations, post-excavation assessment).
process itself is still fraught with problems and
a showcased a wide range of current projects and (www.archaeologists.net/modules/icontent/index.php?
continues to be seen as main source of escalating
n recent developments. Jay Carverlooked at page=221) Another conclusion of the session was that
budgets and over-running end dates.
a multidisciplinary working for the Highways Agency’s there is a real demand for training, in terms
m Cultural Heritage Management Plan which is drawing Martin Newman of both new recruits into the profession and
together datasets from a range of partners. Guy English Heritage, Datasets Development Manager in updating the skills of those already practising. Amanda Foster
Hunt’s paper concerned digital data creation on site, [email protected] The post-excavation management bursary placement Perhaps more fundamental was the suggestion that speaking in the post-
n using a developer - funded site to test approaches afforded the opportunity to look at the day-to-day one of the major inhibiting factors to successful post- excavation and
o and examine how theoretical approaches could be running of post-excavation across different excavation was the existence of artificial boundaries project management
i adapted to produce a hybrid system that worked in a organisations, and the idea for the conference within something that is a very organic and human session. © Sarah Cole
t practical environment. Mike Middletonand Susan session was born out of this exploration into the experience. The concept of post-excavation Photography
a
Caseyconsidered the impact of the INSPIRE directive process. Rather than perpetuating the blame culture management itself could be causal to its problematic
m
(http://inspire.jrc.ec.europa.eu/) and presented the which has seemingly developed, the session aimed success rate: has our vision of the archaeological
preliminary findings of a study of the spatial to provide an opportunity for the views of all process becoming too fragmented to make it work?
r
The Heoritage Gateway depiction of heritage objects, looking at spatial data archaeologists (specialists, project managers and
projectf has employed quality and the current state of polygonisation in consultants) to be aired together. Our hope was to We plan to bring a summary of the session together
iterativen usability testing Scotland. David Thomasand Tom Perttalked about a get past individual cases in order to reveal those over the next six months for publication. If you are
to captuire common user major National Assembly for Wales supported causal and contributing factors inherent to the way interested in talking some more about post-
journeys and inform initiative Csgliad y Bobl – the People’s Collection, things are done and which may, with due care and excavation, a discussion blog has been set up at
redesign work on its which is creating an online archive illustrating Welsh attention, be avoidable. www.postexcavation.wordpress.com.
web interfaces. Photo: history using photographs, documents and film. The
Heritage Gateway theme of online access continued with a sobering The call for papers was well received and the session Amanda Forster and Rebecca Beardmore
Project look at website usability testing, with Cat Cload soon included papers covering training, standards, Birmingham Archaeology, University of Birmingham
16 The Archaeologist Autumn 2009 Number 73 17