The ARCHAEOLOGIST

26 Pages·2007·1.51 MB·English

Autumn 2006
Number 61
The ARCHAEOLOGIST
This issue:
ARCHAEOLOGY
AND IDENTITY
and
THE IFA ANNUAL
Institute of Field Archaeologists REPORT
SHES, University of Reading, Whiteknights
POBox 227, Reading RG6 6AB
tel [phone] From disability
fax [phone] to inclusion
email [email protected]
p10
website www.archaeologists.net
Edinburgh 2006:
Conference
sessions
p12
Experiences of
archaeology in
Japan
p42
C
O N T E N T S
1 Contents
2 Editorial
3 Finds Tray
6 Notes from IFAKate Geary
page 30
7 HLF and EPPIC: delivering workplace learning in archaeology Kate Geary
8 IFA Groups: an updateKayt Brown
9 Our Portable PastPete Wilson
10 From disability to inclusion – disability training at ReadingRoberta Gilchrist and Tim Phillips
11 Cost comparison in the construction industry and its applicability to commercial archaeology
Michael Heaton
12 Conference 2006: Visions of the future: tackling the historic environment, nationwide
Peter Hinton
14 Conference 2006: The Beaker People project: mobility and diet in the British Early Bronze Age
Mike Parker Pearson
page 38 16 Conference 2006: Identity and material cultureDuncan Brown,Ciorstaidh Hayward
Trevarthen and Nicky Powell
17 IFA Annual Report 2006
30 Conference 2006: Ethnicity and identity in the Roman armyDavid Breeze
32 Conference 2006: Recent discoveries in British archaeologyRoger Mercer
34 Conference 2006: Engineering and archaeologyDavid Jordan
37 Conference 2006: Diggers ForumChris Clarke
page 41
38 Conference 2006: Plenary session: where is the IFA going? Tim Howard and Peter Hinton
40 ‘If we want change in archaeology, it’s up to us.’ Diggers’ Forum, IFA and Prospect: joint
page 42
conference Chris Clarke
41 The Marothodi Institute for Archaeology in Africa: Sharing the past, touching the future
Mark Anderson
42 Experiences of archaeology in JapanCaroline Pathy-Barker
44 The Aggregate Landscape of Gloucestershire: Predicting the Archaeological Resource
David Mullin
46 Review: Guidelines on the X-radiography of archaeological metalworkJohn Price
47 Review: The Archaeology of Identity: Approaches to Gender, Age, Status, Ethnicity and
ReligionEve Nimmo
48 New members
Autumn 2006 Number 61 1
l FROM THE FINDS TRAY
This TA, as usual each summer, includes IFA’s It’s good to report on plenty of energy from IFA
a Annual Report, which provides a definitive Groups. The Scottish Group were the mainstay of
overview of our work in the preceding year, with our conference in Edinburgh, Maritime Affairs are
financial details etc. It reports a welcome increase in yet again setting up an international conference
members especially amongst students. We also have (Portsmouth, p5), Finds Group continue their
reports from our highly successful Edinburgh invaluable seminars and are planning more Community digging in Harringey
conference, which had a broad theme of ‘Identity’ professional papers, and the Diggers Forum, as seen Following their successful community excavation at
but included sessions aimed at the core businesses in various reports, made a fine showing at Shoreditch last year, the Museum of London has taken
of professional archaeologists and IFAitself. We are Edinburgh (p37) and are having regular meetings up David Lammy’s challenge to run a similar project in
i
now starting to plan for the 2007 conference, which for members, including a significant joint seminar his constituency. They chose Bruce Castle Museum and
will be held on our home ground at Reading. with Prospect (P40). In a short time they have made Park in Harringey, and invited schools, community
themselves a part of IFA’s conscience that cannot be groups and individuals to work with professional
SALON-IFA, introduced at the Winchester ignored. archaeologists, learning archaeological techniques and
conference in 2005, has proved to be a popular finding out more about the Tudor tower (and Victorian
r benefit for members, giving a fortnightly round up With IFAmembers taking over the world we are rubbish dumps). David Lammy joined in the digging
of archaeology and related activities. With more IFA celebrating the summer holidays by including two on 14 July when he launched National Archaeology
members becoming Fellows and wider mutual unusual foreign reports, from South Africa and Week – we are not told if he is ready for a career
interests between the Society of Antiquaries of Japan. Both are a timely reminder of how much change. Londoners look at London’s past
London (SAL) and IFA, this seemed the time to British archaeologists have to be grateful for.
merge into one SALON for all. Members of course
are still encouraged to send news and comment One final reminder – IFA’s AGM will be held as
o (excavations, open days or other events, publications usual at Burlington House, Piccadilly, on 2 October. Recovering‘the Decent Pleasures of Heart and Mind’: Placing the forgotten architectural culture of 17th-century Scotland in its
etc) directly to [email protected], and We hope to include presentations on the Heritage European context.
all who have signed up (and we encourage more of White Paper and on IFAtraining initiatives, and 10-11 November 2006, Coaltown of Wemyss, Fife
you to do so, email as above) will continue will of course be following the business part with a Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) and the Department of History, Dundee University
receiving it each fortnight. This is also a good time good party. Hope to see many of you there!
to remind all members that they are welcome to Leading researchers from across Europe will examine, question and portray aspects of the architectural culture of Scotland in the
attend SALlectures, and also to use the superb century before the Union. Issues range from the cult of Mary Queen of Scots to the sourcing of visual inspiration, decoration and
t library at Burlington House, providing they materials. The conference explores cultural explanations for the architectures of the period and seeks to reconnect 17th-century
introduce themselves to chief librarian Bernard Scottish culture to its European context.
Nurse before their first visit. As ever the IFAis
grateful to the Society for its cooperation, and we Alison Taylor Contact: AHSS, The Glasite Meeting House, 33 Barony Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6NX. Tel: [phone], [email protected]
hope to build on this over coming years. [email protected]
i
‘Dig, Dive and Discover’– a new Heritage Lottery-funded Maritime
Archaeology Project
The ‘Dig, Dive and Discover’ Project, with an award from the Heritage
Notes to contributors
Lottery ‘Young Roots’ scheme and generous support from other
Themes and deadlines Contributions and letter/emailsare always welcome. It is intended EDITED by Alison Taylor, IFA, organisations, particularly Tees Archaeology, has offered maritime
d
Winter: Archaeology and Urban to make TA digitally available to institutions through the SAL/CBA SHES, University of Reading, archaeology-related activities to Sea Cadets based at Hartlepool. These
Regeneration e-publications initiative. If this raises copyright issues with any Whitenights, PO Box 227 activities include a 5-day field school to excavate and record a foreshore
deadline: 25 Sept 2006 authors, artists or photographers, please notify the editor. Short READING RG6 6AB shipwreck site, maritime research sessions provided by Hartlepool
articles (max. 1000 words) are preferred. They should be sent as an Reference Library in order to explore and document the histories of
email attachment, which must include captions and credits for DESIGNED and TYPESET by twelve locally-built ships, and web-authoring and design sessions
illustrations. The editor will edit and shorten if necessary. Illustrations Sue Cawood provided by Hartlepool PortCities. The project runs from April to
are very important. These can be supplied as originals, on CD or as September 2006.
E emails, at a minimum resolution of 500 kb. More detailed Notes for PRINTED by Duffield
contributorsfor each issue are available from the editor.
‘Dig, dive and discover’ – basic training at Hartlepool
Opinions expressed in The Archaeologist are those of the authors,
and are not necessarily those of IFA.
2 The Archaeologist Autumn 2006 Number 61 3
FROM THE FINDS TRAY The Second MAG International Conference: Managing
the Marine Cultural
Heritage II: Significance
Auditorium of Action Station - HM Naval Base,
Portsmouth, 27-28 September 2006
British Association This two day conference will present and debate issues
for Biological surrounding determining, presenting and managing
Glass workshop: IFAFinds Group training session Anthropology and significance in the marine archaeological field.
16 November 2006, LAARC, Mortimer Wheeler House, 46 Eagle Wharf Osteoarchaeology
Road, London N1 7ED (BABAO) 8th Annual Arange of international speakers who will present their
The IFAFinds Group will be running a glass workshop and training Conference experiences include Marnix Pieters (VIOE Flanders Marine
session on 16 November, complementing the glass seminar held in July. 15 – 17 September University of Institute, Flanders), LN Santhakumaran (Kerala State,
Suggestions so far for the programme include handling glass on site, Birmingham India), Nic Flemming (UK), Stephen Kay (ArcheoMar
recording and writing glass assessments, archiving and looking at The programme will include papers and Project, Italy), Jonathan Moore (Parks Canada), Ray Sutcliffe
Roman and medieval glass, and post-medieval bulk glass. Places will be poster sessions on (UK), Brunenko Ivana (Dubrovnik University, Croatia), Ole
limited and further details will be posted on the Finds Group webpage. Physical Aggression: The contribution of Varmer (Titanic Team, US), Mark Staniforth (Flinders
anthropology to the investigation of violence University, Australia), Marek Jasinski (Norwegian
The Finds Group will be running and conflict, from past societies to the University of Science and Technology, Norway)
more training sessions on a variety present day
of finds categories during 2007 and Written in bone: The use of history and For more information see the Conference website:
remember that membership of the anthropology for investigating medicine, www.magconference.org
New Code of Good Practice for
group is free to IFAmembers. Please disease and biology in past societies or email [email protected].
Marine Heritage
contact the secretary, Nicky Powell Movement, migration and mobility:
The Crown Estate and the Joint
[email protected]. Bioarchaeological perspectives
National Archaeology Policy
Committee (JNAPC) have just
There will also be an open session, for
produced a new code to provide Network Archaeology
posters and papers on any topic.
Glass jar from Prittlewell © Andy Chopping, MoLAS guidance to developers working in the Peter Hinton reports ‘It has come to the IFA’s attention that Network
For further details see www.babao.org.uk
marine environment on how to protect Archaeology has been using stationery bearing the IFA’s Registered
or email [email protected].
the UK’s marine cultural heritage. This Archaeological Organisation logo. The IFAwould like to clarify that
Pots and Pans: domestic artefacts of base metal Code looks to build on the principles Network Archaeology has not been registered since 31 March 2004.
Finds Research Group AD 700-1700 Autumn Meeting, set out in the original and offers The IFAhas been assured by Network Archaeology that it will make
Saturday 23 September 2006, Somerset County Museum, Taunton. guidance to developers on issues such no further unauthorised use of the RAO logo’.
Based around the new exhibition of English bronze cooking vessels, the day meeting will consider all aspects of cauldrons, as risk management and legislative
skillets and related household implements including their form, manufacture and use, combined with a chance to get a close implications, with a comprehensive
look at the material. Those attending the meeting are invited to attend a meeting of the Antique Metalware Society on a list of expert contacts for further
complementary range of topics at the same venue on Sunday. All welcome (society members free, non-members £5). advice. The aim is to encourage a
The Resolution
For further details contact [email protected] (tel: [phone]) responsible approach to preserving
Culture Minister David Lammy has taken action to protect a
cultural marine resources. Copies of
wreck, believed to be that of the 70-gun war ship Resolution,
the Code can be downloaded from
recently discovered by divers on the seabed in Pevensey Bay, off
http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/13
Planning inspector supports archaeological condition the Sussex coast, following a recommendation from English
91_jnapc_code_of_practice.pdf or free
An inspector refused to delete a condition imposed on a mixed retail and residential scheme in Hitchin, Herts, concluding Heritage under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. The site
copies obtained from CBAoffices in
that it still served a valid planning purpose. comprises a cluster of at least 45 iron guns lying on top of ballast
York.
material, other artefacts and a timber hull. Archaeological
The condition stated that no development should commence until a programme of archaeological observation and investigations to date have concentrated on confirming the
recording of the construction groundworks had been undertaken. The appellants stated that a written scheme of identity of the site through the recording of the ordnance and
investigation had been agreed and a report prepared, which indicated that a 12th to 14th century kiln had operated on the ballast. In 1669, the Resolutionwas the flagship in an expedition
site and this was of regional significance. They stated that the condition was either no longer required or had alternatively against the Barbary Corsairs and took part in an unsuccessful
been discharged, since the development was virtually complete. The inspector disagreed. The effect of allowing the appeal attack on the Dutch Smyrna convoy, which resulted in the Third
and removing the condition would be to grant permission without any archaeological investigation, whilst the results of Dutch War. She sank during the Great Storm on 26 November
the investigation had clearly demonstrated that the condition was fully justified. Moreover the agreed scheme required that 1703. Substantial sections of the hull of the wrecked warship
full details of the finds should be lodged with the local museums service in order that the details could be properly exist beneath a mound of ballast. The designation of the
recorded and made available to the public. This had not been done and consequently the condition had not been Resolutionbrings the total number of UK historic wrecks sites
discharged and continued to serve a valid planning purpose. designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 to 58.
4 The Archaeologist Autumn 2006 Number 61 5
N O T E S f r o m I F A
H L F E P P I C:
and
Kate Geary
delivering workplace learning in archaeology
New IFA minimum salary Any shortfall in these requirements must be made
recommendations up with extra pay, although improvement in these
Kate Geary
terms does not justify reduction in basic pay. The
IFA’s minimum salary recommendations are defined new scheme will be monitored through existing
in terms of the three grades of corporate RAO procedures, plus routine checking of adverts
membership and are based on local authority pay in JIS as usual. The operational impact on RAOs will As part of our work to develop structured publishing. Some will be aimed at those seeking to
scales. Whilst they have been broadly effective, they also be monitored, as will the effect on recruitment vocational training opportunities for enter professional archaeology whilst others will be
only cover one aspect of employee benefits, ie pay. and retention of staff. suitable for more experienced archaeologists looking
archaeology, IFA has been developing
New minimum recommendations have been agreed to enhance existing skills or develop new ones. They
methodologies for workplace learning
by Council and will be binding on all RAOs from 1 vary from three to twelve months in length.
placements to address skills gaps identified in
April 2007. These include minimum requirements IFA Standards and guidance
for employers’ pension contributions, paid annual Profiling the profession 2002/3. In 2005 we As well as learning specific skills, placement holders
leave and access to occupational sick pay schemes. IFA’s Standards and guidance documents are widely successfully applied for a grant from the on both schemes will be encouraged to produce
As a minimum, the new employment package must used as benchmarks of quality against which Heritage Lottery Fund to fund workplace personal development plans and record CPD, to
include archaeological work can be judged. The initial list become members of IFAor IHBC and to attend and
learning bursaries. Between submitting the
covered desk-based assessment, field evaluation, perhaps present papers at at least one major
application and getting the good news we were
1 6% employer pension contribution subject to excavation, watching brief and building conference during the course of the placement. The
approached by English Heritage to administer
any reasonable qualifying period investigation and recording. AStandard and guidance aim is to contribute to the development of skilled
• there is norequirement for employers to for the collection, documentation, conservation and the latest round of their English Heritage historic environment professionals capable of
compensate staff who choose not to join a research of archaeological materialswas added in 2001. Professional Placements in Conservation meeting the challenges of the future. Our success,
pension scheme where employer contributions Standards and guidance for stewardship of the historic (EPPIC) programme, in partnership with IHBC. along with accounts from individual trainees, will
are offered environmentand for Nautical recording and be reported on our website, at conference and in
• there is no requirement to compensate staff on reconstructionare currently in preparation, and future editions of TA. EPPIC recruit Matthew
short-term contracts who are not employed for existing documents are being reviewed. Both schemes aim to deliver structured training Bentley surveying
a sufficient length of time to meet the based on National Occupational Standards for Kate Geary gunpowder works at
qualification period although this is something In some cases, Standards and guidancedocuments are Archaeological Practice in a variety of specialist [email protected] Gatebeck in Cumbria as
which IFAstrongly encourages proposed by IFAgroups or members, or are areas. The training is delivered in the workplace, part of an architectural
• it is recognised that the qualifying period may commissioned. All benefit from consultation with allowing the trainees to gain skills and experience in graphics placement at York
be set by the pension company the relevant IFAgroups and committees, with the a real work environment whilst earning a realistic
wider membership and with stakeholders and salary. Learning agreements between the placement
2 Average 37.5 hour working week partners outside IFA. New standards and areas for holders, the hosts and IFAensure that the outcomes
• circumstances of contract work often require revision can be proposed to our Committee for of the placement are clear and can be monitored and
working beyond these hours, compensated by Working Practices in Archaeology via Kate Geary. that the needs of placement holder are identified
time in lieu or overtime payments. Aregular Further information on Standardsand how they are and met. Building placements around National
increase in working hours should be reflected drafted can be found at www.archaeologists.net. Occupational Standards also enables trainees to
by a corresponding increase in pay record evidence towards a future vocational
qualification.
3 Paid annual leave of at least 20 days plus ICE Conditions of Contract for
statutory holidays Archaeological Investigation: any The five-year long EPPIC placements are now up
• staff on fixed-term or part-time contracts comments? and running, covering aerial survey, archaeological
should be entitled to paid annual leave on a investigation, architectural investigation,
pro rata basis In September 2004 the IFA, Institution of Civil architectural survey and Romano-British ceramics.
Engineers, Association of Consulting Engineers and These are specifically aimed at new entrants to the
4 Sick leave allowance of at least 1 month on full the Civil Engineering Contractors Association profession and are designed to develop the skills
pay subject to any reasonable qualifying period published these Conditions of contract. We are now base in these specialist areas.
• sick leave allowance may be aggregated over a seeking comments and feedback on its use for
rolling twelve-month period. Three to four possible future revisions. Comments should be sent One HLF bursary has been awarded (in finds and
months is suggested as a reasonable qualifying to Kate Geary. environmental work), three more been advertised
period. Staff employed on a fixed-term or part- and the aim is to award eight by the end of 2006.
time basis should be entitled to sick pay Kate Geary These will include survey, desk-based assessment,
accrued on a sliding scale or pro rata basis [email protected] building recording, rural archaeology and digital
6 The Archaeologist Autumn 2006 Number 61 7
Finds IFA Groups:
O U R P O R T A B L E P A S T
Maritime an update
Pete Wilson
Buildings
Diggers
Illustration & Survey English Heritage has published a statement of The Policy advocates integration of portable
antiquities work into structured archaeological
policy and good practice setting out the
projects that follow the usual project cycle,
Scottish approaches and standards related to portable
incorporating prior desk-based assessment, remote
antiquities (in this context, all surface collected
sensing, and where appropriate evaluation or
Wales/Cymru archaeological material) that it will apply to
excavation, followed by assessment, analysis,
Kayt Brown
work on designated sites, projects that it funds dissemination and deposition in a publicly
and work that it undertakes directly. accessible archive and with the appropriate HER.
The Policy has been devised in line with
Four conference sessions this year were organised international and domestic law, and relevant codes
by IFAGroups and their success has resulted in The policy is underpinned by recognition of the of conduct and incorporates an implementation
more being planned for next year. Groups also run contribution that portable antiquities of all types, plan setting out areas of work that English Heritage
their own conferences and seminars, often in including metal detected material, makes to will seek to support.
partnership with other groups or organisations. understanding the past. However it also recognises
Recent events include ‘The potential of Buildings that negative impacts can result from unstructured Copies of the Policy are available from English
Archaeology and Building Materials’, organised collection and recording of material. The policy will Heritage Customer Services Department on 0870
The Groups structure has a long history jointly by the Finds Group and Buildings Group, be used by English Heritage as a benchmark against 333 1181, or email customers@english-
and the Maritime Group International conference which to judge any work proposed on designated heritage.org.uk (Product code 51188). Alternatively
within the IFA. Although the popularity of
‘Managing the Marine Cultural Heritage II; sites and landscapes, applications for licences to use copies may be downloaded from
individual groups has fluctuated over the Significance’ to be held this autumn. Groups work metal detectors in protected places under Section 42 http://www.helm.org.uk/server/show/conWebD
years, the structure remains an important alongside other IFAcommittees, and most have a of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological oc.6633
representative on Council. Their activities are in Areas Act 1979, and the advice that it gives to
and valued component within IFA,
accordance with the IFABusiness plan and are DCMS on applications relating to Designated Pete Wilson, Convenor,
providing a vital link between advertised on the IFAwebsite and via email to Terrestrial Sites and work on Designated Wreck English Heritage Portable Antiquities Working Group
membership and elected officers. Group members. Sites.
Following a report from the Groups
As all the Groups are dependent on volunteers, the Our Portable Past is the product of a prolonged
Working Party in October 2005, Council
IFAoffice provides administrative and financial process of internal discussion and external
recently decided to focus on establishing support. There is a Groups Affairs Officer to help consultation and is framed so as to establish a
more Specialist Interest Groups, facilitate the running of Groups and a Groups consistent approach to designated areas including
Forum is held every year. All groups are governed historic gardens, battlefields, submerged landscapes
potentially to incorporate all areas of the
by the IFAby-law for Area and Specialist Interest and historic wrecks. While not intended to
profession. Groups. Guidance notes from IFACouncil have specifically cover hobby metal detecting, for which
been produced that provide further information readers are referred to theCode of Practice for
There are currently five special interest groups; about running a Group, and outline the roles and Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales, in
Finds, Maritime, Buildings, Diggers and Illustration responsibilities of committee members. If you are keeping with English Heritage’s role as the lead
and Survey and two active area groups; Scottish interested in joining a Group, or you would like to body for the historic environment, the policy is
and Wales/Cymru. The latest suggestion has been suggest a new one, please contact either Kayt recommended as a suitable model for organisations
for a group representing sole traders. Groups act as Brown or Alex Llewellyn via the IFAoffice. Free that fund or authorise archaeological projects, and
a forum to discuss issues of local or specialist membership of a Group is open to all IFAmembers. for land managers and others who give consent for
interest, and to put forward recommendations to Further information about each Group can be archaeological projects.
Council. Current projects include Standard and found on the IFAwebsite at
guidancecovering nautical archaeology, recording www.archaeologists.net.
and reconstruction by the Maritime Affairs Group,
and conditions of contract for specialists, Kayt Brown
undertaken jointly by the Finds and Illustration and Hon VC Personnel and Membership
Chess piece, courtesy
Survey Groups. [email protected]
Portable Antiquities Scheme
8 The Archaeologist Autumn 2006 Number 61 9
D I S A B I L I T Y
From Cost comparison in the construction industry and its
applicability to commercial archaeology
Michael Heaton
I N C L U S I O N
to
Most of us buy our cars second hand, and we may query prices – not because they think they are
consult Parkers Used Car Price Guideor a specialist expensive, but because they have no idea what a
d i s a b i l i t y t r a i n i n g Natalie Clarke (Widening Participation Officer) magazine to find out the ‘book price’. These guides reasonable price should be.
gave an overview of recent disability legislation, have no legal authority but they are relied upon by
a t R e a d i n g and Keith Bright (Access Consultant and External dealers and buyers alike as the basis for negotiating This lack of clarity makes us look unprofessional. It
Evaluator to the IAAproject) made an interactive a purchase price. They indicate what purchasers are needn’t be like this. Without disclosing what we are
presentation, demonstrating the experience of willing to pay. The construction industry operates a individually charging for our time– and it is crucial
Roberta Gilchrist and Tim Phillips
‘seeing’ with a visual impairment and ‘listening’ if similar, but more complex system. The ‘Building that we do not do that – we could easily publish
hard of hearing. Tim Phillips (IAAProject Officer, Cost Information Service’ operated by the RICS the prices of a representative selection of projects
funded by HEFCE and the FDTL5, Fund for publishes regularly updated analyses of what and we ask the BCISetc to include archaeological
Development of Teaching and Learning) outlined particular types of building or service cost in costs in their compendia. Published costs would
In May 2006 the Inclusive, Accessible, Archaeology the results of the IAAassessment phase, which had different parts of the country, broken down into have to be based on site volumes (urban) or areas
(IAA) project staff training day on disability for the characterised archaeological field activities by elements such as groundworks, superstructure, (rural/infrastructure) and include site operations,
School of Human and Environmental Sciences physical and cognitive demands. Through glazing etc. Journals such as the Architects Journal processing and analysis costs.
(SHES) at the University of Reading brought the development of a self-evaluation tool kit for all publish detailed cost analyses, and trade
students participating in archaeological fieldwork publications such as Construction Newsthe ‘contract The only impediment is the negligible scale of
whole teaching, administrative and technical
training, students could establish their own values’ (the successful tender price) of projects. archaeological costs relative to construction. I
support staff up to date with legislative
abilities and track their developing archaeological suggest, therefore, that we also include the time
requirements and the practical opportunities for and transferable skills. By providing a product for This cost information allows purchasers to estimate taken to complete the archaeological works,
including diverse groups in fieldwork and use by all students, there would be a shift from costs and gives contractors a rough idea of what because interest payments accrued during delays
laboratory experiences. disability to ability and inclusion in archaeological competitors are charging, without restricting usually cost more than the archaeology causing
fieldwork training. freedom to set budgets and prices. Archaeology has them. You can check this assertion by using the
Steven Mithen (Head of School), opening, nothing comparable. Few of us have any verifiable British and Irish Legal Information Institutewebsite
emphasised the important changes taking place in Carolyn Roberts (Centre for Active Learning, idea of what others are likely to charge and this and the recent legal disputes arising from the
higher education with the opening of universities to University of Gloucestershire) explained how the manifests itself in wildly differing prices. This is Birmingham Relief Road, including archaeological
more diverse groups. Louise Holt (Geography) set Geography Discipline Network’s Inclusive unsettling to clients and their professional advisors, costs. You may be surprised to learn how little we
out the various attitudes towards disability, Curriculum Project (ICP) was designed to develop, who are unable to assess whether the lowest tender archaeologists value our time compared, for
including the Charitable Model (tragic individuals); disseminate and embed resources for supporting is a realistic bargain or a highly risky gamble by an instance, to security guards. Until this information
the Medical Model (ill, the subject for treatment and disabled students, the first major project to look at incompetent organization that might go bust or is in the public domain, that situation will not
Tim Phillips leading cure); and the Social Model, where the problem lies inclusion of students in a fieldwork-based increase the price once on site. This is why they change.
a disability with physical, social, attitudinal and economic discipline. Interactive workshops then involved
workshop for barriers in society, the model of disability now delegates in activities that the School actually Suggested structure for cost-comparison publication:
Reading University driving recent legislation. carries out, such as the training excavation,
staff running Open Days and specific tasks within Locality Form of archaeological work Form of contract
laboratories. (County, urban/rural/linear, geology and (excavation/ wb/evaluation etc) (lump sum/day rates/measured etc.)
soil type, hydrology etc but not address Consultant engaged?
Anticipatory adjustment was identified as
Approx. volume or gross site area Complexity index: Durations:
particularly challenging. In the Fieldwork session
(GSA to be that of site, not surface (probably on scale of 1-10) Site operations
activities were identified for which no reasonable
area of deposits investigated) Approx % of deposits manually Processing
adjustment would allow for participation of
investigated. Analysis and Report
particular individuals, although there are ways a
diverse group could be included in most fieldwork.
Urban type sites Rural type sites
The day raised awareness amongst all staff, and Costs per m3of total site volume for: Costs per m2or hectare of Gross Site Area for:
proved the importance of sensibly anticipating Bulk excavations and site clearance Bulk excavations and site clearance
provisions necessary for a diverse group of Manual investigation, recording and recovery of materials Manual investigation, recording and recovery of materials
students, rather than simply reacting to the needs from archaeological deposits from archaeological deposits
of specific individuals. Processing of all artefacts including human remains Processing of all artefacts including human remains
Processing of all environmental samples Processing of all environmental samples
Anyone wishing to know more about inclusion of All analyses and reporting All analyses and reporting
people with disabilities of all kinds in fieldwork
Information supplied by:
should contact [email protected].
10 The Archaeologist Autumn 2006 Number 61 11
E D I N B U R G H E D I N B U R G H
I F A C O N F E R E N C E 2 0 0 6 I F A C O N F E R E N C E 2 0 0 6
Andrew Foxon, Head of Professional Services at Malcolm Cooper.
Manx National Heritage (MNH), explained how Photo: Peter Hinton
the Isle of Man, a British Crown dependency in
neither the UK nor EU, is reliant on Manx sources
of funding – and has enjoyed economic growth.
Emphasising strongly the role of the historic
environment in the broader Manx heritage, and the
profile that heritage is likely to have in the
November 2006 election for the Tynwald (the
Island’s parliament), Andrew outlined MNH’s work
on preserving, protecting, promoting and
need to anticipate and influence government
communicating the historic environment. Leading
responses and ensure that our approaches to the
UK colleagues in the integration of services, MNH
historic environment match new cultural values
does however have many challenges ahead.
and meet future needs. Distinction between
John O’Keeffe, from the Environment and archaeology and building conservation must be
Heritage Service of DoE Northern Ireland, eroded, and there must be more integration
between paid and unpaid communities of historic
outlined the intense archaeological activity that has
environment practice. Articulation of English
resulted from investment in Northern Ireland since
Heritage’s Conservation Principles, Heritage
the Good Friday agreement. This has placed
Protection Reform, the Convention on the Value of
considerable strain on an integrated service that
Cultural Heritage for Society (Faro Convention)
carries out roles shared elsewhere in the UK
and patchy implementation of the Valletta
between national and local government, and the
Convention are all factors in and symptoms of a
process has not been without problems. Unlike
more complex environment.
Wales, Northern Ireland’s information base is not
strong, and planning decisions can be
S E S S I O N S Malcolm Cooper, Chief Inspector at Historic
compromised: PPS 7 provides a robust basis for
Scotland,outlined changes within Historic
archaeological investigation but enforcement of
Scotland over the last year. He emphasised the
planning conditions for archaeological publication
relationship between public sympathy and public
has proved problematic. Apart from immediate
all work. Different constituencies have different funds for the historic environment, questioned the
VISIONS OF THE reorganisation and resource problems, it is the need
insights; and this year IFAinvited one of the long-term effects of designating increasing number S
for greater public involvement and benefit that will
conference’s principal sponsors, Historic Scotland, of heritage assets (whilst struggling to come to
FUTURE: TACKLING characterise EHS concerns in coming years.
to convene speakers from the national heritage terms with the identification, characterisation and
E
THE HISTORIC bodies to address these issues from personal Adrian Olivier, Strategy Director at English conservation of the historic landscape in which
perspectives. Heritage,identified a number of potential external they sit), and the need for greater integration of
S
historic environment disciplines.
ENVIRONMENT, factors that we may need to take account of,
Richard Avent, Chief Inspector of Ancient
including climate change, terrorism, demographic
NATIONWIDE Monuments and Historic Buildings at Cadw, change, skills shortages and the 2012 Olympics. We The discussion reviewed the need to ensure that S
reviewed impressive progress on the Welsh future decisions are founded on adequate data, that
Scheduling Enhancement Programme and the sector becomes fully integrated, there is greater
Peter Hinton I
announced completion of Listing Resurvey and the public involvement, skills needs are addressed, that
Historic Parks and Gardens Register – all including legislation reflects changing public values (and is
O
field validation of records. Welsh archaeologists enforced), and that we examine the changing
This session was planned by Malcolm Cooper and
have made excellent progress on characterisation environment in which we live as carefully as we do
Peter Hinton in response to structural and political
too, and this sound information base will leave those of past societies.
shifts affecting our approaches to the historic
N
Wales well positioned to deal with potential
environment today. The profession needs to discuss
legislative change and to inform environmental Peter Hinton
the strategic and long-term implications of these
assessments for numerous infrastructure and Chief Executive, IFA
changes and how they might affect the intellectual,
S
philosophical and physical framework in which we renewable energy projects. Adrian Olivier. Photo: Peter Hinton [email protected]
12 The Archaeologist Autumn 2006 Number 61 13
E D I N B U R G H E D I N B U R G H
I F A C O N F E R E N C E 2 0 0 6 I F A C O N F E R E N C E 2 0 0 6
been something of a bombshell for prehistorians.
Three of the Boscombe Down Bowmen, also found
near Stonehenge by Andrew Fitzpatrick of Wessex
THE BEAKER PEOPLE
Archaeology were also not local to the Wessex
chalk. Their strontium and oxygen values are
PROJECT: MOBILITY
consistent with an origin in Wales although
northwest France is another possibility. Yet not all
AND DIET IN THE
Stonehenge Beaker people had migrated. The
Stonehenge Archer (found with arrow wounds in
BRITISH EARLY
the Stonehenge ditch) and an individual buried
nearby at Wilsford had both grown up on
BRONZE AGE
chalkland.
Comparison of Yorkshire Wolds strontium values from 4th
millennium teeth (Duggleby Howe and Calais Wold 275) in red
Mike Parker Pearson STRONTIUM AND FOOD SOURCES
and Beaker-period teeth (Aldro 116 and Calais Wold 23) in green
It is too early for the Beaker People Project to have
(by Janet Montgomery, Rachel Cooper and Jane Evans)
any results from strontium and oxygen isotopic
The identity of Beaker folk has been a perennial Beaker from Naaboth’s Vineyard, Llanharry, Glamorgan.
analysis but a pilot study by Janet Montgomery S
question in the study of British prehistory. Were © National Museum of Wales
and Rachel Cooper at Bradford University gives a
they European immigrants? Or indigenous
taste of what is to come. Their strontium analysis
communities who adopted a pan-European E
of burials in the Yorkshire Wolds showed that some
material culture ‘package’ that included drinking
dental microwear analysis. We began with Scottish Beaker-period people at Aldro and Calais Wold
cups, martial display and single burial?
burials, followed by a large group from the probably derived food from two different sources. S
Yorkshire Wolds. Groups from Wessex and the Peak One was probably the chalkland of the Wolds
ANATOMICAL DISTINCTIONS
District are next, as well as the few Beaker burials where they were buried and the other the
The Beaker People Project is run by a consortium of S
from Wales. Carboniferous coal measures of the Pennines,
university teams (from Sheffield, Durham, Leipzig
suggesting a transhumant lifestyle. The remainder
and the British Geological Survey), with local and
I
DIETARY DIFFERENCES of the sample may have lived a relatively sedentary
national museums, to get some answers. The
After one year the project has already come up with lifestyle on the Wolds or moved between the chalk
project also aims to find out just how mobile these
O
exciting results. Dental microwear divides the and the Jurassic and Triassic rocks of the North
people were, what their diets consisted of, and
Scottish sample into two groups: those buried with York Moors and the Vale of York.
whether nutrition and health were affected by
Beakers have fewer pits and scratches on their teeth
gender or status. The long-recognised anatomical
S than those buried with Food Vessels or without any Currently, the earliest Beaker burials in England N
distinction between a long-headed Neolithic
pots. Just what this means is difficult to know. It and Scotland do not appear to date to before 2400
population of the 4th millennium BC and broad- Values of δ13C (horizontal axis) and δ15N (vertical axis)
may relate to differential consumption of quern- BC. But was Beaker pottery in use in Britain before
N headed Beaker people of the late 3rd millennium among the Scottish burials (by Mandy Jay) S
ground cereals or of gritty roots and tubers. In the inhumation rite? Two Beaker sherds were
BC certainly still seems to hold but, given the long
addition, men’s molars were more abraded than found in 1954 in a bluestone pit at Stonehenge.
time period, the differences are as likely to be due
women’s. The results of the initial isotopic study This first arrangement of bluestones pre-dates the
O to genetic drift as to immigration. Unfortunately,
(δ13C and δ15N) show no dietary difference between sarsen circle, which was probably erected before
ancient DNAseems not to survive well in
those with Beakers and those without, but the these two individuals come from cist burials 2480 BC. These sherds may therefore be much
prehistoric skeletons kept in museums so other
I methods have to be employed. different abrasion between the sexes is matched by without grave goods so, until their radiocarbon older than Beaker pots in burials. Nonetheless, it
the Scottish males having lower nitrogen levels than dates are determined, we cannot say if they are may be that the idea of a single movement of
the women. This distinction could be due to the from the Beaker period. Even so, it is remarkable people bringing Beakers, metallurgy, horses,
S Isotopic analyses are being carried out on 250
Beaker-period burials: carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen environmental factor of their relative distance from that the vast majority did not rely on seafood, given wheeled vehicles and fancy goods has outlived its
(δ15N) to find out about diet, strontium (87Sr/ 86Sr) the sea, the women in the sample being buried that many of the Beaker burials are from the credibility. Over the next few years, the project
S
and oxygen (δ18O) to investigate mobility and nearer the coast than the men, but it may also have Aberdonian coastal belt. The same is true of the East might just change what we thought we knew about
migration, and sulphur (δ34S) to identify those who a social and gender dimension. Yorkshire population. the Beaker folk.
E
lived in coastal areas. The project is also providing
Overall, the Scottish burials show a uniform diet FOREIGN ORIGINS? Contributors:Mike Parker Pearson, Andrew
new radiocarbon dates, thorough osteological and
with the exception of two outliers who consumed The discovery that the Amesbury Archer grew up in Chamberlain, Carolyn Chenery, Neil Curtis, Jane
S dental analyses of aspects such as age and sex,
large quantities of marine protein. Unfortunately central Europe, probably in the Alpine foothills, has Evans, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Mandy Jay, Patrick
health and trauma, and dietary patterns from
Mahoney, Janet Montgomery, Stuart Needham, Mike
Richards and Alison Sheridan
14 The Archaeologist Autumn 2006 Number 61 15
E D I N B U R G H
I F A C O N F E R E N C E 2 0 0 6
the British Museum prehistory pages? Atour
IDENTITY AND
through the more modest museum of archaeology
at Southampton showed how museums also
MATERIAL CULTURE
address issues of local and communal identity, and
can help to widen their meaning. There is,
IFA FINDS GROUP
however, no escaping the final question - whose
identity is really on display?
THE INSTITUTE OF FIELD ARCHAEOLOGISTS
Identity on display
The secret life of finds
Duncan Brown, Southampton Museums
Ciorstaidh Hayward Trevarthen, PAS Annual report 2005/2006
This paper considered what we mean,
and Nicky Powell, MOLAS
archaeologically, by ‘identity’, and how it is
translated for the museum visitor. Starting with the
Alison Sheridan discussed the biographies of
old view of ancient ‘cultures’, and moving through
Covering the period July 2005 to June 2006
objects in her opening address. Our paper
different interpretations such as structuralist
with financial statements for the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006
considered these extended biographies and looked
analyses and feminist perspectives, observations
at adaptation, reuse and repair, discussing how to
were made on how the things we present to the
identify these in an object and, further, why the
public are informed by our own experience and
object may have been repaired or adapted and
understanding. Compare for instance, late 19th-
what it may have meant. It centred on a range of
century images of the dominant male cave-dweller
finds we have looked at in the course of working in
and his nuclear family, with the co-operative ethic
field archaeology and the PAS that have a story of
now considered illustrative of the Palaeolithic
their own. Space allows only a couple to be
community at Boxgrove. Museum websites were
mentioned here.
used to offer interesting insights into self-
perception, and comparison between national
Asimple strip bow from a brooch from Milborne
institutions in England, Scotland and Wales
Port, Somerset has at some point had the wings
showed up differences as well as similarities. Is
that held the axis bar damaged. Rather than melt it
there a sub-text to ‘Objects of Power’, which heads
S down or throw it away, a notch was cut at the foot
of the bow and the brooch reused as a nail cleaner.
And after a 7th-century filigree disc brooch lost its
N
catchplate and pin fixing, it was drilled several
times and used in another way. Some of the holes
may be stitch holes, but it’s not clear how the
O
brooch was reused.
Such finds, individually and as groups, offer
I
potential for further study, providing insights into
the actions and motivations of individuals in the
S
past.
S
Nail cleaner from Milborne Port, Somerset
E (Somerset County Council)
S
16 The Archaeologist
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