Archaeological heritage management in the Netherlands
The present situation of the archaeological heritage management in the
Netherlands
The frame of the archaeological heritage management and its main characteristics:
Spatial planning instruments
2007 was the date of the implementation of the Malta convention and the introduction
of the market in archaeology. Presently the implementation is under evaluation; there
will be a report and a discussion at the parliament planned in 2011.
By the implementation, archaeological heritage was connected to spatial planning
processes. Spatial planning instruments at central, regional and local level provide
important instruments for protecting the cultural heritage. When municipalities draw
up a land use plan, or give an exemption from a land use plan, they must take into
account the archaeology. The aim is to preserve the archaeology in place (situ) but
this is difficult in a densely populated country as the Netherlands.
Other legal instruments include environmental impact assessment, whereby the
cultural environment is one of the objects screened, and legislation governing the
exploration of natural resources, which include the possibility of laying down
instructions concerning archaeology. Furthermore there are around 1500 listed
archaeological monuments.
In accordance with the Valletta Convention, developers are required to pay for any
necessary excavations or other archaeological work.
Quality control system
Because excavations can be contracted out within a competitive market a quality
control system is needed. This system includes a privately organized part, another
part governed by legislation for example the excavation permit (the new Monuments
and Historic Buildings Act) and a supervisor. The privately organized part consists of a
Quality Standard (KNA), which guarantees a basic standard for all archaeological
work. Supervision is carried out by The National Heritage Inspectorate (EGI). Its main
task is to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Monuments and Historic
Buildings Act of 1988 pertaining to archaeological monument, excavations and
artifacts.
The controlling system for the archaeological excavations was elaborated in advance
(by the governmental body, the Inspectorate), which incorporates the quality control
in the market archaeology. Presently there are 23 accredited firms, they have
permanent permit for different type of archaeological interventions. Municipalities
employ own or private archaeologists, to help their work. There are 5 universities with
an excavation permit.
Recently there is yearly 4000 archaeological activities, from which about 400
excavations are conducted). The selection of the archaeological sites to be excavated
is based on the elaborated national research agenda.
Managing archaeological information
The findings become in most cases the property of the provinces were they are
excavated.
The information about archaeological sites, reports of excavations, etc. are collected
by the Dutch cultural heritage institution (Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed /
Cultural Heritage Agency – RCE, they have 300 employees), which is the successor of
ROB, then RACM. The institution is responsible for monuments, archaeological
heritage and landscapes.
The Rijkdienst manage the database of archaeological heritage and the information which the municipalities and others should know (with the known sites and the
expectations too) - is out in the internet, although the system is not open to
everybody. One should apply for access and software is needed. There are 2 maps
within the database: one on the known sites, the other on the archaeologically
sensitive zones. The Rijkdienst has very small budget for archaeological activity in the
field.
Main task for the Rijksdienst is to execute the legal means related to the heritage
management, to do research and to collect and connect the information and make it
available for those who may be involved.