Evaluating the archaeological resource in store
Duncan H. Brown
Head of Archaeological Archives
duncan.brown2@english-heritage.org.uk
REALISING THE BENEFITS OF PLANNING–LED
INVESTIGATION IN THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT:
A FRAMEWORK FOR DELIVERING THE
REQUIREMENTS OF PPS5
A draft report by the Southport Group
3.3. Accessible archives and
dissemination
3.3.1. The consensus is that archives
are often seen as the end product
of a project and that once in store
they are left gathering dust and
fulfilling no useful function.
3.3.1 The consensus is that archives
are often seen as an inconvenient
by-product of a project and that
once in store they are forgotten
and unused.
Evaluating the Archaeological Resource in Store
Informing the Future
Society of Museum Archaeologists
This project aims to provide the facts that will
inform discussion of the ways in which to address
what is fast becoming a crisis. Information on the
quantity of undeposited archive material, the
available space in repositories, the relationship
between archaeology and other collections in our
museums and the character of the users of archive
material, will help the profession as a whole to argue
the case for particular solutions.
The objectives are to:
update the existing map of collecting areas across England, incorporating boundary changes, while also
including information on individual collecting policies
add onto the map the presence of specialist curatorial expertise in archaeological archive management,
including provision of security and access
establish procedures for continuing to update the map of collecting areas to inform future enquiries
establish the date of deposition for archaeological archive material in permanent storage, in order to
assess whether more material has been collected since the advent of PPG16 and developer-funded
archaeology
identify areas of the country where an archaeological resource centre might provide an acceptable
solution for the continued provision of access to archaeology collections
clarify the relationship between archaeology and other types of museum collections (e.g. costume,
social history etc) to compare the amounts of space available and the levels of supporting expertise
characterise the users of archaeological archives, including universities, archaeological contractors,
individual enquirers, school groups, volunteer workers and members of the public
establish the quantity of undeposited archive material currently held at contracting archaeological
organisations and with no identified final repository
produce a report that provides up-to-date figures on the size and distribution of the archaeological
archive resource, the ways in which it is accessed and the possible ways forward.
The objectives are to:
1.
update the existing map of collecting areas across England, incorporating
boundary changes, while also including information on individual collecting
policies
add onto the map the presence of specialist curatorial expertise in
archaeological archive management, including provision of security and
access
establish procedures for continuing to update the map of collecting areas
to inform future enquiries.
http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/sma_map/index.cfm?CFID=33&CFTOKEN=0DC716E4-F70346DC-9E2ABBED910233BD
http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/sma_map/index.cfm?CFID=33&CFTOKEN=0DC716E4-F70346DC-9E2ABBED910233BD
http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/sma_map/index.cfm?CFID=33&CFTOKEN=0DC716E4-F70346DC-9E2ABBED910233BD
http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/sma_map/index.cfm?CFID=33&CFTOKEN=0DC716E4-F70346DC-9E2ABBED910233BD
http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/sma_map/index.cfm?CFID=33&CFTOKEN=0DC716E4-F70346DC-9E2ABBED910233BD
2
establish the date of deposition
for archaeological archive
material in permanent storage, in
order to assess whether more
material has been collected since
the advent of PPG16 and
developer-funded archaeology
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
99
97
95
93
91
90
88
86
84
82
80
78
76
74
72
70
68
66
64
62
60
58
56
53
49
46
Document boxes per year
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
98
96
94
92
90
88
86
84
82
80
78
76
74
72
70
68
66
64
62
60
Boxes of finds per year
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Number of projects per year
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1960 1961 1962 1965 1967 1970 1972 1974 1976 1977 1979 1981 1984 1986 1988 1991 1993 1997 2001 2005 2009
Boxes of finds per year
1200
1000
800
Of 7,288 boxes of bulk finds
400
200
98
19
96
19
94
19
90
88
86
92
19
19
19
Number of projects
19
84
19
80
82
19
19
78
19
76
19
72
70
74
19
19
19
68
19
64
62
66
19
19
19
60
0
19
c. 6,500 collected before 1997
600
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1960 1961 1962 1965 1967 1970 1972 1974 1976 1977 1979 1981 1984 1986 1988 1991 1993 1997 2001 2005 2009
Site archive grading at Southampton Museums
Grade 1
sites with archives that meet current
standards
Grade 2a
sites with acceptable archives compiled
before current standards were put in
place
Grade 2b
sites with archives that do not meet
current standards
Grade 3
sites with archives that are irretrievably
below current standards
Potential numbers of boxes of finds for dispersal at Southampton
Find type
Grade 2a Grade 2b Grade 3
Totals
Ceramic building material
377
165
38
580
Shell
296
111
120
527
Slag
124
157
14
295
Stone
188
28
66
282
Burnt clay
118
96
20
234
Clay pipe
27
3
8
38
Flint
24
2
1
27
Charcoal
10
6
9
25
Mortar / plaster
17
2
1
20
1181
570
277
2028
Total
3
identify areas of the country where an archaeological
resource centre might provide an acceptable solution for the
continued provision of access to archaeology collections
An Archaeological Resource Centre is defined as:
An accredited centre dedicated to the collection and curation of
archaeological archive material from within a defined area, that is
staffed and managed to provide the best possible access to the
archaeological resource for the purposes of enquiry, exhibition,
learning, research and general interest.
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/archives/aaf_arc_guidance_2010.pdf
Developing an Archaeological Resource Centre
Guidance for Sustainable Storage and Access to Museum Collections
Archaeological Archives Forum
1 Introduction
2 Defining an Archaeological Resource Centre
3 Creating an Archaeological Resource Centre
Phase 1: Preparation
Phase 2: Funding
Phase 3: Decision-making and project management
Phase 4: Design
Phase 5: Development
Phase 6: Completion
4 Maintaining an Archaeological Resource Centre
Sources of Further Information
Useful Contacts
Appendix 1 Summary list of documents required
Appendix 2 Case studies of existing archaeological resource centres
Appendix 3 Case studies of developing projects
4
clarify the relationship between archaeology and other
types of museum collections (e.g. costume, social history
etc) to compare the amounts of space available and the
levels of supporting expertise
5
characterise the users of
archaeological archives, including
universities, archaeological contractors,
individual enquirers, school groups,
volunteer workers and members of the
public
6 establish the quantity of
undeposited archive
material currently held at
contracting archaeological
organisations and with no
identified final repository
In many parts of the country, crammed and overstretched local museums are
refusing to accept any more finds.
And local government cutbacks are likely to place even more pressure on
staff and facilities.
As a result, archaeology units are reaching bursting point with finds and
records unable to find a permanent home.
…may be storing over 15,000 boxes of archaeological finds and records on
5,000 sites, at an annual cost of perhaps £0.25m.
http://www.famearchaeology.co.uk/2010/11/fame-highlights-storage-crisis/
7
produce a report that
provides up-to-date figures
on the size and distribution
of the archaeological
archive resource, the ways
in which it is accessed and
possible ways forward
2E2 CAPACITY-LOSS IN LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Economic pressures are intensifying on Local Authorities, the most important
organisations in caring for our historic environment. Local Authority historic
environment capacity is closely linked to the level of local political support. Resources
are under exceptional strain and restructuring and capacity reduction is a reality and
likely to accelerate. While options are limited, we need to work together to ensure that
the necessary expertise is available to local authorities and that it is sufficient to deal
not just with the day-to-day planning casework but also with pro-active plan-making and
information gathering so that the sector is prepared for the inevitable upswing in
economic activity when it comes.
5B2 UNDERPINNING LOCAL PLANNING PROCESSES
The government is making changes to the planning system which will lead to both
a national planning framework in the form of an overarching policy statement or
statements and a greater degree of autonomy for local communities through a
Localism Bill expected to be enacted spring 2012. PPS5 puts the historic
environment at the heart of spatial planning and makes it clear that
understanding significance is the key to successful conservation in both plan
making and decision making. EH has an important role as statutory consultee
within the planning system (contained in Measure 6) to ensure that the changes
proposed by the government are implemented in a way that embeds the
principles of PPS5. This Activity will ensure that role is underpinned by
appropriate guidance, toolkits and partnership protocols.
REALISING THE BENEFITS OF PLANNING–LED
INVESTIGATION IN THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT:
A FRAMEWORK FOR DELIVERING THE
REQUIREMENTS OF PPS5
A draft report by the Southport Group
14. Improved standards and better guidance for
archive compilation and curation
The AAF updates its existing guidance on the
selection and retention of finds with more
comprehensive recommendations to include all
archive material.
4.2
Project
Phase
Action
Personnel
responsible
1
The Project Specification must specify the
necessity for a clearly defined selection
and retention strategy that takes account
local, regional and national research
frameworks.
Project executive
2
Consider the research aims and
objectives of the project and the research
potential of the archive when formulating
a selection and retention strategy.
Project manager
Project team
3
Consider the requirements of the archive
repository and their collection policy when
formulating a selection and retention
strategy.
Project manager
Project team
4
Include in the Project Design a fully
formulated selection and retention
strategy that sets out a clear mechanism
for deciding what should be retained for
archiving and how other material should
be dispersed.
Project manager
Project team
5
Agree the selection and retention strategy,
as part of the Project Design, with the
Project Executive and the Archive
Curator.
Project manager
Project executive
Archive curator
Procedure
Project
planning
www.deepstore.com
Deepstore archive deposition costs
EH box grant per standard box (0.017m³ / c 260x550x120 mm)
Ten boxes (1.7 m³)
Deepstore deposition charge for ten boxes
Deepstore monthly charge for ten boxes
= £18.10
= £181
= £16
= £0.96
/ £11.52 p.a.
For £181 ten boxes could be deposited and stored for fourteen years