The Archaeologist 70 - Winter 2008 Heritage Protection

28 Pages·2009·1.79 MB·English

Winter 2008
Number 70
The ARCHAEOLOGIST
This issue:
HERITAGE
PROTECTION
Heritage
Protection
Reform – an
English Heritage
overview
p15
IfA, the Heritage
Protection Bill
and planning
guidance
p16
Conservation
areas –
protecting the
jewels in
Institute of Archaeologists England’s crown
SHE’s, University of Reading, Whiteknights
p34
PO Box 227, Reading RG6 6AB
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]
[email protected]
www.archaeologists.net
C
O N T E N T S
1 Contents
2 Editorial
3 From the finds tray
7 View from the Chair Gerry Wait
page 15 8 Survey results: Members’ views on Continuing Professional Development Kenneth Aitchison &
Kate Geary
9 Pay, quality and the role of IfA Kate Geary
10 Disability and the archaeological profession – call for participants Tim Phillips
11 Building Foundations - a geotechnical standard for soil description Frigga Kruse
12 Outsourcing: Cambridgeshire’s archaeological field unit goes west Adrian Tindall
14 Protection and understanding through earthwork survey – a purely British practice? Kate Page-Smith
15 Heritage Protection Reform – an English Heritage overview Sarah Buckingham
16 IfA, the Heritage Protection Bill and planning guidance Peter Hinton
18 Heritage Protection Reform: a brief history Rachael McMillan
20 HPR: strategies for designation Lucy Oldnall
21 Training and capacity building in the historic environmentPaul Jeffery
page 28
22 A Planning Policy Statement for the historic environment Charles Wagner
23 Archaeology under cultivation: reforming Class Consent Vince Holyoak
24 Heritage protection in the English marine zone Mark Dunkley
26 The Queen’s Speech: English Heritage responds Peter Beacham
28 A Scottish perspective on planning reform and the historic environment Jim MacDonald and
Malcolm Cooper
30 Protecting archaeological sites on the farmland of Wales: monitoring and management
page 32 Gwilym Hughes,Peter Gaskell and Mike Yates
32 Heritage Protection in One Cornwall Nicholas Johnson
34 Conservation areas: protecting the jewels in England’s crown Christopher Catling
page 34 36 Protection of waterlogged sites: by whom, for whom? Tim Malim and Ian Panter
38 Objects in the rear view mirror: archaeology and roads Magnus Alexander
40 Protection in action: conserving St Davids Bishop’s Palace Kathryn Roberts
42 Buildings Archaeology Group Update Jonathan Mullis
43 Re-designing IfA Sue Cawood
44 British Archaeological Awards Alison Taylor
46 Review Underwater Archaeology: The NAS Guide to Principles and Practice (2nd ed) Martijn Manders
47 Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 – an update Kate Geary
48 Professional training for ceramic archaeologists Victoria Bryant
50 New members
51 Members news
Winter 2008 Number 70 1
l F R O M T H E F I N D S T R A Y
a
Heritage protection
When this issue of TA was planned last summer the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Cultural
archaeological world looked flourishing and Property in the Event of Armed Conflict’. Given the
Will we (ever) get a Heritage Protection Bill?
optimistic, and a new way to protect our past was a destruction of archaeological sites and artefacts in
topical theme. Kenny Aitchison’s report Archaeology current and recent conflicts in which we are Speaking at the launch of Heritage Counts on 30 October
i
Labour Market Intelligence:Profiling the Profession engaged, this is a disgraceful situation to be in. Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and
2007-08had just shown that the market for Sport, deliberately lowered expectations that a Heritage
archaeologists was at an all-time high and growing This December therefore there seem few grounds for
Protection Bill will form part of the next Parliamentary
steadily, there was real progress towards improving optimism, but we are at least assured (p26–7) that
session. The next session, hardly surprisingly, will be
pay and conditions, and we were assured that a new English Heritage intends to implement every aspect of
dominated by legislation to support the Government’s
Heritage Bill, with input from IfA and other heritage protection (such as improved HERs) that is
r
archaeological interests, was expected in 2009. feasible without primary legislation, and frameworks programme of tackling financial instability. However, he
are in place for better training and conditions for did point to the priority being given to a new Planning
As articles were collected over the autumn the mood archaeologists when an economic upturn appears. Policy Statement to combine and replace PPG 15 and 16, which he thought could deliver most of the reforms in
darkened. Building schemes were halted and Significantly too, Government has assured us that a
the draft HPR Bill without primary legislation. These and similar comments provoked the following exchange in
archaeologists lost work, (today at least half our new draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS) for the
Parliament:
members are now seriously worried about their jobs historic environment for England will be released
oor have already lost them), IfA’s registered early next year, updating PPGs 15 and 16, with
Mr. Jeremy Hunt (South-West Surrey) (Con):Will the Secretary of State confirm Andy Burnham:I do not accept the
organisations find it impossible to plan for substantial similar proposals in Wales. As it is through these that
improvements for staff benefits as the recession gets some 98% of the historic environment is protected, rumours that the heritage protection Bill has been dropped from the Queen’s Speech? If hon.Gentleman’s criticism.In the
worse, and expectations for the Heritage Protection we must fight hard to ensure that any changes that is the case,is that not the final nail in the coffin for the Government’s heritage recent spending round,English Heritage
Bill to be announced in the Queen’s Speech were strengthen not weaken heritage protection, and to policies? We have seen lottery money plundered,the Government telling churches to received an increase in funding.We
downplayed and finally abandoned. Alongside this, maintain determined optimism that the longer-term turn themselves into cafés and gyms and now the denial of the vital parliamentary time have worked with all parties in the
and more seriously for protection of the prospects for archaeology could, just possibly, be that would allow the heritage sector better to look after the heritage that belongs to us heritage sector to introduce the first
tarchaeological resource on a world scale, accession bright. all.When can we have a positive vision for our heritage sector? Is it condemned to yet heritage protection Bill for 30 years.
to the Hague Convention has been put on hold. Now
more years of neglect and decline? That is clear evidence of the
that ratification is underway in the US, as UNESCO
Government’s commitment to the
says, the UK ‘will be the only international power,
sector....he will know that the Planning
and the only major combatant in the 2003 invasion
Bill will require us to bring forward a
of Iraq, not to have legislation under discussion to Alison Taylor (more) Heritage at Risk
new planning policy statement on the
enable it to sign and ratify the 1954 (Hague) [email protected] In one useful outcome of the build-up to HPR English
i built heritage,replacing planning policy
Heritage announced the first all-encompassing register of
guidance 15 and 16.We will do so
neglected or decaying historic treasures, and introduced
shortly,and we will issue that statement
new ways to save them (http://www.english-heritage.org.
uk/server/show/ ConWebDoc.13844). Simon Thurley, said: for consultation.We recognise the
‘Even in its first year, our Heritage At Riskproject will importance of the built heritage and we
Notes to contributors Contributions and letter/emailsare always welcome. TAis made EDITED by Alison Taylor,
constitute the most detailed picture ever gathered of the are taking active steps to protect it.
d digitally available through our website and if this raises copyright issues IFA, SHES,
true state of the nation’s heritage. Year on year we will be
Themes and deadlines with any authors, artists or photographers, please notify the editor. University of Reading,
able to see how much of this heritage has been rescued
Spring: New techniques for Accessed digitally, web links are especially useful in articles, so do Whiteknights, PO Box 227
and how much is still at risk.’ In London, Mayor Boris
prospection, dating and include these where relevant. Short articles (max. 1000 words) are READING RG6 6AB
Johnson said he would use this new Register to help bring
identification preferred. They should be sent as an email attachment, which must
London’s listed buildings at risk back into use. £60 million
deadline: 1 February 2009 include captions and credits for illustrations. The editor will edit and DESIGNED and TYPESET
has been earmarked for empty properties, with listed
shorten if necessary. Illustrations are very important. These can be by Sue Cawood
buildings identified as a priority. These include non-
supplied as originals, on CD or as emails, at a minimum resolution of
E residential listed buildings, such as a 19th-century
500 kb. More detailed Notes for contributorsfor each issue are PRINTED by Duffield
sailmakers and chandlers in West India Dock Road and a
available from the editor. Opinions expressed in The Archaeologist are Printers Ltd (Leeds)
former workshop and engineering works in Southwark.
those of the authors, and are not necessarily those of IFA.
2 The Archaeologist Winter 2008 Number 70 3
F R O M T H E F I N D S T R A Y
Cirencester Excavation Committee remembered
Cotswold Archaeology hosted a nostalgia fest in
Cirencester this October to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of Cirencester Excavation Committee.
Alan McWhirr, Christopher Catling and Tim Darvill
spoke on archaeology in the town in the ‘60s, ’70s
Future of human remains in Avebury Museum
and ’80s respectively, noting just how many of
Portable Antiquities Scheme’s future assured English Heritage and the National Trust are consulting on the future
today’s archaeologists got their first taste of
The launch in November 2008 of the annual report (for of prehistoric (2000 – 3700 BC) human remains (9 inhumations, 4
archaeology in the town. Neil Holbrook, Chief
2005/06) of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) was cremations plus disarticulated bone) excavated near Avebury, after
Executive of Cotswold Archaeology, successor to
used by Culture Minister, Barbara Follet, to say that an the Council of British Druid Orders requested reburial. Simon Mays’
CEC, talked about the transition from voluntary to
independent report had come out strongly in favour of assessment demonstrates that the remains are of international
A medieval silver gilt mount professional excavation in the town, and recent
PAS. The report by Kate Clark (p52) concludes that ‘PAS research importance as well as being a valued part of the museum
or terminal, with a man’s discoveries.
is generally well managed with a clear sense of display, and this particular Druid group makes no claim for
bearded face emerging from
direction, efficient administration and excellent continuity of ethnicity, belief, customs or language. Yet scientific
foliage, found in Oakley, Buckinghamshire and
reporting on outputs … PAS appears to be programmes such as absolute radiocarbon dating could be halted
acquired by Buckinghamshire County Museum.
well-liked, delivering genuine partnership The oldest and the proposed options are for reburial (with remains either
© Portable Antiquities Scheme
and good value for money.’ The full report surviving member available or unavailable for future study), and retention in the
can be seen at of the Cirencester museum, with access for Druid ceremonies (‘where reasonable’).
http://www.finds.org.uk/wordpress/wp- excavation Relevant consultation papers and a questionnaire are available from
content/uploads/2008/11/pas-final.pdf. This committee, ‘Sam’ www.english-heritage.org.uk/aveburyreburialconsultation. The
also recognises that PAS needs more Sheppard Frere, at deadline is 31 January 2009. This test case affects a collection that
A 7th-century gold cross pendant from Lincolnshire, now
funding from all its partners. the 50th has as high research potential and little connection with modern
acquired by North Lincolnshire Museum. © Portable Antiquities
anniversary religious groups as any we are likely to excavate, so archaeologists
Scheme
celebrations, wiith Cotswold Archaeology trustees Carolyn Heighway should take time to make considered responses.
and Richard Bryant.
Protection of the Underwater Cultural And more endangered sites
Heritage This time it is UNESCO that is calling on the UK Government to take urgent action to protect world heritage sites endangered by
This UNESCO 2001 Conventionis CPD STUDY PACK CLUB: Ready access to CPD resources development.These include Stonehenge,Edinburgh’s Old Town,Neolithic Orkney,Georgian Bath and the Tower of London.Tall
designed to guarantee preservation of the Any members frustrated in their professional obligations towards new buildings in London and Bath,and failure to tackle road problems at Stonehenge put the status of these sites at risk,as does
underwater cultural heritage through a CPD should try the CPD Study Pack Club (www.cpdclub.co.uk), says the decision in Edinburgh to site a hotel,housing and offices next to the Royal Mile.More generally,UNESCO is critical of UK’s
specific protection and cooperation Michael Heaton.Though set up primarily for construction
failure to protect the character and settings of world heritage sites,and ‘lack of clarity’in managing conflicts between
framework among its States Parties. On 2 professionals and estate managers, much of its educational material
conservation and development.
October 2008 in Barbados, twenty States is relevant to professional archaeology but not yet available through
ratified the Convention, which will traditional archaeological courses. Subjects include Law (contract,
therefore come into force on 2 January tort collateral warranties etc), Contract Management, Practice
2009, with the First Meeting of States Management, Health and Safety, Property Development Economics, Bronze Age Review
Parties of the Convention scheduled to take Site Investigation etc. The club is endorsed by RICS, so it ought to be This new free-to-access and peer-reviewed online journal is dedicated to furthering The Mold cape, a sample of the
place in spring 2009. good enough for us. Membership is free but members are charged understanding of the period c. 2500 BC - 800 BC in Britain and neighbouring regions. It will British Bronze Age © the British
£150 for six packs, which are delivered (and returned) one at a time publish interim excavation reports, reviews, databases and other articles. The first volume can be Museum
on a six week cycle. The club doesn’t provide specifically found at http://www.britishmuseum.org/bronzeagereview and includes
archaeological material, but as most of the booklets are produced by goals and recommendations for Bronze Age research in Britain.
the College of Estate Management at Reading University (near IfA Suggestions, comments and new chapters are invited by 31 January, and
offices), that omission could be corrected if enough sign up. these will be used to create a research agenda for the Bronze Age in
Britain, with publication by British Museum Press. To submit to subsequent
Kate Geary,IfA’s Training & Standards co-ordinator adds – IfA issues or to find more contact the editor Ben Roberts,
members are reminded that any activity can count towards CPD if it [email protected].
addresses a learning need identified in their personal development
plan. More information on IfA’s CPD scheme, and guidance on
producing a personal development plan, can be found on at
http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/icontent/index.php?page=20.
4 The Archaeologist Winter 2008 Number 70 5
F R O M T H E F I N D S T R A Y
V I E W f r o m
t h e C H A I R
Nautical Archaeology Society 2008 Annual Gerry Wait
Conference: encouraging access
This Conference, held in November in the Historic
Dockyard, Portsmouth, concentrated on ways to
open up marine archaeology to a wider audience.
This is one of the most exciting times in the IfA’s
Mark Beattie-Edwards reviewed the HLF ‘Diving
history – what with Heritage Protection Reform, local
into History’ project, Sarah Ward considered
IfA Annual Conference for Archaeologists, 7-9 April 2009
government reorganisation, the movement to
benchmarking competency and broadening access,
Our 2009 annual conference will be held at the Riviera
modernise and broaden the Institute to reflect the
and Nigel Nailing asked whether the Newport Ship
International Centre in Torquay. There will be the usual range
breadth of work our members do, and issues of
provides access for all. Rebecca Stalker presented
of informative and topical sessions including heritage
accreditation. On a broader canvas our profession
‘Splash!’ an innovative programme for under-
protection reform, the PPS and circular, good practice
must also examine the pressures and threats of an
privileged teens, and Matthew Harpster, spoke of an
guidance, the Marine Bill, community archaeology, training
NAS-inspired programme to protect the maritime economic recession, the effects of which we’re only Gerry in Valetta, September 2008
and new technologies. Excursions and social events include
just beginning to witness. It may be a cliché, but to
heritage of Northern Cyprus. Irena Radic Rossi
Devon manor houses and landscapes, Torre Abbey and
be asked to take a leadership role at a time like this is our livelihoods may depend upon it. They will in any
moved us to the Aegean to showcase work with
Torquay, a wine reception in Torre Abbey and a social BBQ.
both a great compliment as well as a humbling case drive the way that Government works, and
protective cages which give in situprotection in
The provisional programme and booking form can be
experience. However, the Council and the Executive clauses in the PPS will reverberate for good or ill in
Croatia, while David Blackman presented a way of
downloaded from the website or requested from the IfA office.
Committee are full of people on whom I – and the the world of developer-led archaeology.
visualising an ‘Ancient Dockyard in Sicily’. Gordon
Institute and its members – can rely.
Le Pard presented the global HLF Big Anchor
Project, Philip Robertson the ‘Sound of Mull It may be a This also gives the opportunity to advance self-
We have just passed our AGM, when we voted regulation – the jargon for this is erecting ‘barriers to
Archaeological Project’, Mark Holley introduced cliché, but
overwhelmingly to make important changes to our entry for professional practice’. What it really means
new methods of rapid field survey for submerged
to be asked
Institute. The least significant change is in our name, is using membership in the Institute - and the
sites in the Great Lakes, and Mike Williams gave a
where we substituted ‘for’ in place of ‘Field’, to take a corporate quality assurance badge of Registered
wonderful overview of
the M2 Submarine retaining the IFA or IfA acronym, but even this is leadership Organisation – as a basic requirement for undertaking
deceptive. Underlying it is a fundamental change in work (where appropriate) arising through the
Anniversary Project. role at a time
how we view ourselves and how we intend to act. planning process. This is an important first step in
like this
We are not losing sight of the importance of field levelling the commercial/competitive playing field,
NAS 2009 is planned
archaeology, but we are giving precedence to the is both a great allowing IfA ROs to raise the standard and value of
for the 6 to 8 November
unifying concept of the historic environment. compliment archaeological work and to set more appropriate
at the Historic
Increasingly our members are not field archaeologists wages and terms and conditions. This is by no means
Dockyard, Portsmouth. as well as a
so much as archaeologists and heritage professionals the end of the changes. The Heritage Bill may not be
Sarah Ward humbling
whose work spans many disciplines. In recognising in the next parliament, but creating the PPS and
experience.
this diversity and the opportunity it gives us to have a Guidance – arguably more important to many of us –
political voice, we are taking the first steps towards will continue apace. IfA’s advocacy role must
aligning IfA as a premier professional institute and therefore continue.
consultee.
We are also facing a serious economic situation, with
To support this we have updated nearly all of our all the threats that a recession brings. The Institute
Archaeology and development. A good practice guide to managing
Institute’s core documents, significantly the criteria will be looking carefully at what we can do to
risk and maximising benefit
for membership and registration, and our codes and support our members, including how we promote the
B Barber, J Carver, P Hinton, T Nixon 2008 £80
standards. Registered Organisation scheme, balancing
The Construction Industry Research and Information Association
membership subscriptions in a period of economic
(CIRIA) has just published this manual for its members. Guidelines
Does this matter? Yes, to every one of us, and to all turmoil, offering and promoting training, and
cover the organisation of UK archaeology, relevant legislation, and
other archaeologists working in the UK. Our internal providing other benefits.
how archaeological investigation can be integrated into development
revolution coincided with chances to be involved in
projects. It strongly promotes IfA Registered Organisations. The text
drafting fundamental heritage legislation and its Gerry Wait
reflects current law and planning guidance, though it flags up
supporting PPS, planning circular and guidance. Even Chair, IfA
proposed changes under HPR. A list of contents can be found at
if the Heritage Protection Reform Bill did not
ciria.org/acatalog/C672.html, for those unwilling to spend £80.
materialise this year as expected, the importance of Director, Nexus Heritage
getting these documents right cannot be overstated – [email protected]
6 The Archaeologist Winter 2008 Number 70 7
S u r v e y r e s u l t s : PAY, QUALITY
and the role of
Members’ views on
As part of the recent consultation on IfA
minimum salaries, arising from the project to
Continuing Professional Development
benchmark archaeological salaries against
those in comparator industries, some
respondents questioned whether IfAshould
Kenneth Aitchison & Kate Geary really be seeking to influence pay and
conditions across the sector. Some felt this
C
brought it too close to a trade union role while
Members will remember that during the summer Kate Geary
others felt that pay was an area governed by
they were canvassed for views on Continuing market forces that we should leave well alone.
Yet IfAis not alone in setting recommended
Professional Development (CPD) as part of a Typically, IfA members’ employers will contribute to contracts mean that some employers see little point
minimum salaries. ICON, the Museums
the costs of CPD only if it meets the needs of the in investing in training or development for these new
project run by the Professional Associations
employer as well as those of the individual – and Association, CILIP(the Chartered Institute of graduates. Unlike archaeology, it seems, junior site
Research Network (PARN). The research allows us while two thirds of respondents told us that their Library and Information Professionals) and staff are an infinite and renewable resource, refreshed
employer does contribute, most (53%) told us that the Society of Archivists all make similar each year.
to coPmpare our responses with 6000 respondents
they also contribute personally, suggesting that a recommendations, feeling that it is
from 24 participating professional associations. shared sense of responsibility is the norm. The But this may not be the case much longer. According
appropriate to influence pay because of the
support of employers in identifying training needs to the latest labour market intelligence figures,
Participants were self-selecting, meaning that impact that low pay has on standards and
and development opportunities through the appraisal (Aitchison & Edwards 2008 Profiling the Profession
quality of work.
responses probably came from those with strong or development review system is invaluable and IfA 2007/08, with data collected just before the current
Registered Organisations are strongly encouraged to economic downturn), numbers employed in
opinions, so we were cautiously pleased to learn help in this way. Responses also provided helpful This is not to suggest that the adage ‘you pay peanuts, archaeology grew by 29% between 1997-98 and
you get monkeys’ is true. Archaeologists, in common
data about members’ use of online planning and 2002-03 and by 20% between 2002-03 and 2007-
that IfA members generally feel positive about
with conservators, archivists and museum staff, are
D recording tools. The options for doing this are 08. At the same time, numbers studying archaeology
the concept of CPD, and that the requirements currently quite limited, but we hope to offer more in mostly skilled, dedicated people, motivated by a love peaked in 2006-07 and have since declined. A new
of their discipline. However, every year the industry
the future. generation of students with different priorities and
of the Institute are important drivers in focusing
loses highly competent, experienced staff who
expectations, coupled with the potential for tuition
their participation. In 2009 IfA will be moving towards a system reluctantly decide that they can no longer afford to fees to rise further, may mean that this trend will
pursue their chosen career. The fact that they are
whereby members will need to demonstrate they are continue. Graduates, quite reasonably, expect that
replaced with less experienced staff inevitably leads
keeping their skills up to date (see Roger White and their investment in gaining academic qualifications
to concerns about quality of work. It is hard to
Kenneth Aitchison, TA 67), and results of this survey will result in a job with opportunities for progression
quantify this loss, but approximately 40% of people
will be useful in refining IfA’s systems for delivering and career development. If archaeology can’t offer
who have left IfA since we started collecting data on
this goal. The transition will involve a robust them that, it is likely that they will look elsewhere.
reasons for leaving in 2006 gave as their reason that
communications strategy. Even though at the time of
The views expressed will help us to develop IfA’s the survey eight of the previous nine issues of TA they are also leaving archaeology. This loss of It might seem wholly inappropriate to be talking
approach. Currently, our system is ‘input-based’ – contained articles or references to CPD, it was experience is illustrated clearly in the difficulties about better pay, conditions and opportunities for
members are recommended to accumulate 50 hours disappointing to receive some replies which many organisations face in recruiting for senior and progression at a time when many organisations are
of CPD time over any two year period. Only 8% indicated that there is still confusion about CPD and specialist roles. struggling and when redundancies are inevitable. In
thought this the best approach, 33% preferring an its value. the short term, the picture is likely to get very
output-based system – valuing the resultsof CPD It’s not just about pay. Access to training and gloomy indeed. But a short-term crisis doesn’t mean
rather than hours spent at it – and 55% would like a We would like to thank both PARN for their work, opportunities for career development are also that we can forget about development needs in the
combination system. Worryingly, 15% stated that and the 196 members who took the time and effort to important factors in retention of staff. Lack of medium and long term. We must stop accepting the
they had undertaken no CPD at all in the last 12 reply to the survey. The full report is available on IfA’s investment in training for junior or temporary site loss of skilled archaeologists as inevitable and deal
months, though this may reflect lack of recognition of website. staff suggests that they are not valued, a concern with the reasons behind it, complex and difficult
the range of activities that can contribute. The biggest repeated by many candidates interviewed for though they may be, in a coherent and unified way
motivators are to improve performance in current Kenneth Aitchison workplace learning placements. Yet, alongside this once and for all.
roles and a sense of professional duty – exactly the IfA Head of Projects and Professional Development are complaints by employers that archaeology
sentiment of IfA’s Code of conductand our current Kate Geary graduates are underprepared for contract archaeology Kate Geary
approach. IfA Training and Standards Coordinator and lack essential skills. Ironically, short-term Training & Standards Co-ordinator
8 The Archaeologist Winter 2008 Number 70 9
Disabilit y
Geotechnical test-pitting
and the archaeological profession
– call for participants
Tim Phillips
T
he recession is proving hard for many people and the first degree in the subject. The IAA project also found
number of jobs being advertised has been decreasing that a significant number of archaeologists have a
since last summer. With fewer jobs available, recognised disability and are working successfully
potential employees find themselves in a more within the profession. This is not surprising, as many
competitive environment, and for an archaeologist so-called ‘disabilities’ are not visible or easily
carrying the tag ‘disabled’ the situation can be even recognisable. Indeed, in talking to working
more difficult. archaeologists, it appeared to the IAA project team
that nearly everyone knew or had worked with A typical soil profile exposure in geotechnical trial
Building Foundations –
Until recently, little was known about the extent and somebody with some form of disability. pits – why not log archaeology at the same time?
nature of disability within archaeology. The Inclusive,
Accessible,Archaeology(IAA) project (see On the back of the success of the IAA project, a g e o t e c h n i c a l s t a n d a r d
http://www.britarch.info/accessible/) looked at the English Heritage has commissioned the Department
issues surrounding disability and archaeology in of Archaeology at the University of Reading to carry f o r s o i l d e s c r i p t i o n
Higher Education, especially fieldwork training. The out another project looking at disability within the Frigga Kruse
project found that around 14% of undergraduate archaeological profession. This has been funded by a
Archaeology students small grant through HEAP and is being carried out in
In 1999 the British Standards Institute (BSI) a common language with the geotechnical and civil
have some form of close consultation with the IfA as a major
published BS 5930:1999 Code of Practice for engineers with whom we have contact but we would
recognised disability, stakeholder. The brief is to produce good practice
also make ourselves more employable as geotechnical
highly significant as guidelines for the employment of disabled Site Investigation, which outlined the
personnel (who usually work under better conditions
the vast majority of archaeologists in the profession. These are to be terminology and system for describing and
for greater pay).
people working in based on the good practices already being followed classifying soils for engineering purposes.
archaeology have a by employers and employees. The guidelines will be
Recently, this was replaced by BS EN 1997- In the spirit of embracing multidisciplinary approaches
published as an IfA Professional Paper.
2:2007, Eurocode 7 Geotechnical Design. as well as progressing our own profession we should
Ground Investigation and Testing, and take another look at our most basic medium, the soil,
The project team is now looking for participants
and the feasibility of adopting the existing standard for
willing to tell their story, whether this be positive or consequently the structural national codes we
its description. We would then have the possibility of
negative. We would therefore be very eager to talk to work with will be withdrawn by March 2010.
logging soil for engineering purposes and yet include
anyone who has had experiences of disability within
information vital to the archaeologist: after the
archaeology, either at a personal level or with the Since 1999, the geotechnical profession used a
geotechnical full-stop there has always been a space
people they have worked alongside or supervised. All national standard for soil description which is
for additional information at no extra cost.
the information will be used anonymously and becoming obsolete before archaeologists got around
presented in such a way that no individual or to lobbying for changes that would allow more
Let us build the proverbial foundation to our profession not by
organisation can be identified. The participants will archaeologically significant information to be logged,
also be invited to comment on the draft of the such as spot-dating finds, organic content, finding faults with the system and demanding change, but by
guidelines. waterlogging and the nature of context boundaries. embracing the system, speaking the lingo, applying it in site
investigations, and presenting workable examples. We can
Many disabilities are not If you are interested in participating in the project In light of the new Eurocodes being implemented by
then lobby for realistic alterations when the time is right and
easily recognisable. This and might be willing to tell your story, please contact institutions of which the BSI is only one, hesitation is
archaeology gains its deserved recognition amongst site
photograph of one of the [email protected], tel. [phone] likely to have cost archaeologists their chance to
investigation professions.
volunteers on the IAA suggest aforementioned changes at an overseeable,
project is of a student Tim Phillips national level. Instead, commercial archaeologists
excavating on site; she has Department of Archaeology should collectively be looking to adopt BS EN 1997 – Frigga Kruse
diabetes and a visual School of Human and Environmental Sciences 2:2007, or more simply, Eurocode 7, which is Arctic Centre, University of Groningen
impairment, but you would Whiteknights catching on fast. It would enhance our knowledge of PO Box 716, 9700 AS Groningen
not know that just by PO Box 227 the civil engineering dawn across Europe and carve The Netherlands
looking at this image Reading RG6 6AB out a niche for ourselves in which we not only speak [email protected]
10 The Archaeologist Winter 2008 Number 70 11
O FARLEFT
Cambridgeshire’s (left to right) Chris Gosden,
utsourcing: Chair Board of Trustees,
archaeological field unit Oxford Archaeology, Paul
Spoerry, ex-manager of
CAM ARC now Head of
goes west
Adrian Tindall
Oxford Archaeology East,
and David Jennings, Chief
Executive, Oxford
Archaeology. Photograph:
Since the advent of contract archaeology local authorities have represented only a fraction of its work, while local James Fairbairn
considered transferring their archaeological units to an external government bureaucracy caused frustration and
delay, with corporate obligations occupying one third LEFT
provider (‘outsourcing’) as a way of reconciling curatorial and
of staff time. Outsourcing also offered commercial Consultation and selection Some of who they are
contractual roles. This has rarely if ever been successfully carried freedom to compete more successfully, and it The eight outline tenders were independently scored best efforts of the network provider). Many legal getting – ex-CAM ARC, left
out, yet in July 2008 Cambridgeshire County Council’s archaeological removed risk from the local authority. against a weighted matrix and brought together to documents had to be prepared – transfer agreement to right, Richard Mortimer,
field unit, CAM ARC, became Oxford Archaeology (East). This create % scores. Three shortlisted organisations were and disclosures, framework agreement and standard Toby Gane, Aileen Connor,
Market testing invited to submit more detailed proposals. One conditions, pension admission agreement, and a James Drummond Murray,
marked the end of a long and complex process which, because no
In February 2007 market testing of potential partners withdrew, and two made presentations to staff and service level agreement covering outreach and Elizabeth Popescu, Steve
guidance existed, proved a learning experience for all. and informal consultation of staff and unions began. the Programme Board. Their brief covered cultural learning. Transfer finally took place on 1 July. Macaulay, Paul Spoerry,
A notice and briefing document in the Official and employment issues such as job security and Mark Hinman. Photograph:
Respected RO Journal of the European Union invited interest from mobility, project ownership and research interests. Comfort and optimism James Fairbairn
The field unit had operated as a trading unit of the Registered Organisations, bringing sixteen responses After questions, staff completed feedback sheets Success was due to various reasons. Staff and unions
County Council since the early 1990s, competing for that included universities, other units, which were collated for the Programme Board in were fully engaged from the outset, and Unison was
development-led contracts in eastern England. A multidisciplinary consultancies, and an EU preparation for the second round of presentation and helpful and constructive, commending the openness
medium-sized Registered Organisation with a environmental agency. Discussions with a interview, which covered areas such as business fit, of the process – indeed, we were invited to make a
turnover of around £2m a year, it was successful and representative sample identified the significant issues financial viability, legal issues, and employment joint presentation to an EU employer and trade union
respected. In 2006, it relocated to customised and emphasised the high regard in which CAM ARC terms. conference on Reforming Public Services. It had the
leasehold premises and was re-branded as CAM ARC. was held. Inevitably, there was discussion within the support of politicians and senior managers, providing
profession, sometimes ill-informed. For example, this Preferred bidder a smooth political passage and freedom to engage
Arguments for outsourcing were simple. It operated was not a cost-cutting exercise – CAM ARC received Following a supplementary questionnaire to clarify and negotiate with potential partners. It was well
in one of the most competitive archaeological no subsidy and outsourcing would not lead to financial and other issues, the Programme Board resourced, with a dedicated Project Manager and a
environments in the UK, its market share in savings. The ritual spectre of the ‘Tesco Unit’ was also unanimously agreed to recommend Oxford strong Programme Board and Project Team, with the
Cambridgeshire had fallen significantly, and it was raised, though quite how working for an organisation Archaeology (OA) as its preferred bidder, in services of a specialist procurement consultant and
increasingly competing for work elsewhere. Its of 15,000 non-archaeologists was professionally accordance with the clear preference of staff. This dedicated business support. And the timescale was
commercial contracts with the County Council preferable to working for one of 300 archaeologists recommendation was formally approved by the ambitious but realistic. Although it took over 18
was never explained. County Council’s Cabinet in January and by OA’s months to complete (the wheels of local government
Board of Trustees in March 2008. grind slow), the project maintained its momentum and
Following briefings to staff and the Joint Consultation kept to a minimum uncertainty for staff and disruption
and Negotiating Group of relevant unionsa Transfer had to be cost-neutral, but obligations of business. Finally, the professional reputation of OA,
questionnaire invited informal views. Feedback from included redundancy and pension liabilities, and its obvious cultural fit with CAM ARC ensured
The changing face of
staff was generally open-minded and constructive. The leasehold commitments, and outstanding post- that staff felt comfortable and optimistic.
the field unit from AFU
vast majority preferred a Registered Organisation, and excavation and publication costs. To offset these, a
(top left) to CAM ARC
most preferred a public or not-for-profit organisation framework agreement awarded OA all archaeological The transfer marks a new era, in which we hope the
(top right) and Oxford
to a private sector partner. Whilst there was no clear work on County Council developments for four years business will prosper and its reputation for promoting
Archaeology East
mandate for change, there was no overwhelming after transfer – a normal local government practice the research and understanding of archaeology in
(bottom), with
resistance to it. A Programme Board was set up to following an open tender process. Cambridgeshire and the east of England will develop
the common theme
provide strategic direction and political management, yet further.
of a brooch from
a Project Team to implement the process, and a Staff Legal processes and documents
Barrington Anglo-Saxon
Group to represent staff and unions. A Shared Folder The due diligence and TUPE transfer process was
cemetery
provided access to project documents, a TUPE carried out by a Project Team of representatives from Adrian Tindall
question and answer log, and a message board for finance, HR, Unison, payroll, pensions, property, Archaeological Risk Management Former Head of
staff views. A Pre-Qualification Questionnaire was facilities management, IT, public relations, and legal 40 Queens Road Archaeology
issued to ROs which had expressed an interest, services. This long and complex process included the Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3EP Cambridgeshire County
requesting further information about the scale and close down and transfer of financial accounts, collation 01284 767681 or 07715 050318 Council
nature of their business, their ‘cultural fit’ with CAM and provision of HR information, reassignment of [email protected]
ARC and their vision for its future. property leases and transfer of IT systems (despite the
12 The Archaeologist Winter 2008 Number 70 13
The author, studying Protection and understanding through HERITAGE PROTECTION REFORM –
Deepdale Iron Age/
Romano-British earthwork survey –
Settlement, AN ENGLISH HERITAGE OVERVIEW Sarah Buckingham
Langstrothdale,
a purely British
Yorkshire on behalf
W
of English Heritage
practice?
adequate supportfor the reformed system, politically,
financially and through its operation by suitably skilled
practitioners, with English Heritage leading and
hat is Heritage Protection
enabling informed debate on and advocacy for
Reform? As a phenomenon that has been with
resourcing and capacity within the sector.
us for eight years it should need no introduction,
but it is worth recapping why we are where we Experience of implementing change has shown that
are today. Heritage Protection Review – as it thoroughgoing reform is an incremental process, to be
achieved step by step over several years. Rachael
originally was – originated in response to
McMillan (p18) sets out the background to reform and
sectoral concerns as a ‘once in a generation
charts the path taken so far – but we anticipate a
opportunity’to look at systems for designating
further five to ten years activity before all the pieces are
Kate
and managing the historic environment with finally in place.
Page-Smith
fresh eyes, with the intention to
Sarah Buckingham
With a tradition stretching back over 300 years, analytical landscape investigation, analytical survey and reviewsystems that have been in operation for many Head of Heritage Protection Reform
earthwork survey and investigation has had a monumental investigation, earthwork survey, archaeological years – 120 years in the case of protection of ancient [email protected]
survey, archaeological investigation etc. Perhaps it is monuments
impact upon archaeological research in Great Britain.
terminology that has hindered creation of a shared
Increasing interest and international recognition of landscape
identity. consolidatepiecemealdevelopments that have built
Kenilworth Castle. English Heritage at its best combines programmes to increase understanding,
archaeology could make this valuable and versatile specialism
up to a complex, sometimes inconsistent, system;
protect historic fabric and character, and provide public enjoyment. These aspirations should apply
a cornerstone of archaeological methodology. Yet, despite Most developer-funded work is focused on individual while maintaining robust protection of what is special
too to assets with less obvious appeal. Photograph: English Heritage
continued encouragement from English Heritage and Welsh sites and there is rarely the opportunity to explore the
and Scottish Royal Commissions, the discipline has remained landscape setting. Overcoming this requires input from recalibrateour measures, to re-align them with
curatorial archaeologists, as mentioned by Paul Belford contemporary reality, addressing issues such as
isolated, with little international communication and
at EAA and further emphasised by Mark Bowden at the sustainability and community involvement. Protection
discussion. It even appears that analytical earthwork survey is
2008 IfA conference in Swansea. Presently there are and management of the historic environment must
fundamentally a British technique.
few opportunities for curators to insist upon analytical not be seen as a quirky or antiquated regulatory
earthwork survey, so it could even become extinct in backwater; it must sit within the mainstream of
Eager to dispel this myth, at the 2007 European England, despite the attempts by English Heritage and environmental management.
Association of Archaeologists conference in Zadar, IfA to train EPPICs in the discipline. These schemes
Croatia, I mustered speakers from Ireland, Sweden, provide excellent transferable skills; however the job English Heritage is working with Government and the
the Netherlands, Spain and the USA as well as opportunities are limited. historic environment sector to ensure that Heritage
England for a session on ‘Investigating Field Survey’. Protection Reform is implemented as an essential
Mark Bowden from English Heritage, Paul Belford It is sad that one of the original methods of component of modernised approaches to managing
from Ironbridge Archaeology and Margaret Gowen archaeology seems to be dying out. The multi- the historic environment – ‘Constructive Conservation’.
from Margaret Gowen & Co Ltd all provided disciplinary approach provides greater understanding We see this reform as based equally on three legs
excellent insights into the history and current of sites and their landscapes, and offers
condition of analytical earthwork survey, but other comprehensive and cost-effective evaluation for culture changenecessary to manage the historic
speakers (perhaps because the title was too vague) projects. The EAA session demonstrated great environment in an integrated and constructive way
talked about walkover survey or landscape international interest, and if this was developed this through the reformed system, to be achieved through
archaeology in general. Disappointingly, this would enhance its status in Britain. This is certainly training and practical project work, embracing new
reaffirmed the impression that analytical earthwork something to strive for, and I hope this is a catalyst approaches to secure wider engagement and
survey is indeed a British technique. for the successful return of analytical earthwork involvement
survey to the forefront of archaeological research.
I believe that other countries haveundertaken this components of reform,including a Heritage
earthwork survey as we know it, but varied Kate Page-Smith Protection Act, a Planning Policy Statement for the
terminology makes it difficult to distinguish. Even Nexus Heritage Historic Environment, and a unified list of designated
within English Heritage, it may be referred to as [email protected] heritage assets as the key enablers of the new approach
14 The Archaeologist Winter 2008 Number 70 15
f Planning guidance
I A
• provides the framework for managing the 95-98% of the historic environment in England and Wales not covered by
,
the Bill
• levers in c £180m of heritage research, mainly from the private sector (2007 figures)
Heritage • funds 58% of archaeological posts in the UK (2007 figures)
the
So far, either through TAF or on its own, IfA has
Protection
• staged meetings, seminars and conference events to sound out membership views
• contributed to policy documents
• participated in working parties on local authority delivery
Bill
and planning • contributed to workshops and private meetings with DCMS, Cadw and English Heritage
• commented on the draft White Paper, responded to the published White Paper and commented on the draft Bill
• fed into draft circulars and guidance that support the Bill
guidance
• provided written evidence to the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which conducted pre-
legislative scrutiny on the Bill
• given oral evidence on behalf of TAF to the Committee’s Inquiry
Peter Hinton • written to the Secretary of State and the Welsh Minister on the White Paper and to the English Minister on the CMS
committee report clarifying our position and emphasising our support
• provided briefings to APPAG on the importance of the Bill and on areas of potential concern
This article is probably out of date and possibly
• provided a voice for members to Government and the heritage agencies
wrong. Your editor keeps as short a lead-in time as
possible for TA,but this still tends to overlap with
important developments. Now being a time of great As ever with such advocacy, there is a mixture of Time will tell how successful this approach has been.
uncertainty, the Bill has been overtaken by larger public statements on the record, briefing behind the We know our contributions have improved some areas
political developments, leaving the sector to drive scenes and coordinated choreography. Getting the of policy, and our evolution into a more broad-based
forward reforms on a more piecemeal basis. right mix can be difficult when positions change institute at the AGM can only strengthen us. IfA has
Nevertheless, many of the processes stimulated by unexpectedly, or when a culture stands in the way of never before had the level of influence and respect in
the Bill will proceed, as EH colleagues explain in this creative solutions. Throughout, IfA has been Government that it has now. And that’s just as well:
TA, so it is helpful for members to see how IfA is supportive and constructive – we want positive while much of the guidance, including the all-important
involved. responses to our suggestions, not defences against Planning Policy Statement for England and revised
criticism – though making it equally clear that our planning guidance documents for Wales, remains
The development of the draft Bill and planning support cannot be unconditional while so many areas unseen, the Institute must retain room to manoeuvre
guidance has kept your institute on its toes over the remain to be clarified or improved. and the leverage to effect further improvements.
last year or so, and a great deal of Council and staff
time has been spent on advocacy, advice and
At the time of writing the key issues to sort out remain
occasionally argument about the draft Bill and related
• confirming that the PPS adequately covers all aspects of the historic environment including artefact scatters and
documents. Mostly we have worked through The
palaeoenvironmental deposits
Archaeology Forum (TAF) to ensure the sector is
• ensuring that the PPS/circular enables local authorities to specify opportunities for public participation and to provide
presented consistently, but when necessary have
public benefit including provisions for storage, conservation and display of artefacts and archives in museums and other
acted independently (see http://www.archaeologists.
appropriate depositories, and for improved standards of publication and dissemination of results
net/modules/icontent/index.php?page=217). More
• including in the PPS/circular mechanisms to enable use of the IfA registered organisation scheme to address deterrents to
importantly, on most issues we have been ahead of
good practice
the consultation, influencing drafts before they
• addressing the failure to notify archaeological authorities of destructive works outside the planning process, as in the (to be
appear.
abolished) 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act
The Bill • removing class consents that allow protected sites to be ploughed – a problem that would not be replicated for future
• provides unified registers of all heritage assets in England and Wales designations but will remain a threat to current scheduled sites
• devolves responsibility for consents to local authorities • working through the implications of changing the criterion for protection from national importance to ‘special
• requires local authorities to maintain or have access to a Historic Environment Record archaeological interest’
• abolishes the need for separate Conservation Area consent • making sure that local authority historic environment services not only maintain a Historic Environment Record, but are
• permits Heritage Protection Agreements between owners, local authorities and EH/Welsh Ministers to govern provided with adequate skilled staff, and engage in strategic planning, education and outreach as well as development
the management of assets and avoid repeat consent applications control
• plugs important loopholes in Conservation Area protection
• avoids future class consents permitting cultivation of protected monuments Your institute will continue to work hard with its TAF colleagues to keep these issues firmly on the governmental radar.
• extends the range of maritime resources that can be protected
• provides interim protection for sites and structures being considered for designation Peter Hinton
• implements the 1954 Hague Convention by indicating how the UK will protect heritage abroad during IfA Chief Executive
armed conflict and by indicating assets to be protected at home [email protected]
16 The Archaeologist Winter 2008 Number 70 17