This document summarizes the key issues facing archaeological archives in the UK. It discusses how archives are often seen as an inconvenient byproduct and repositories have limited capacity. There is a need for improved standards, selection processes, and monitoring of archive delivery. The document also provides statistics from a survey of 151 museums, showing that 47 local authorities lack repositories and 9,000 archives totaling 1,160 cubic meters cannot currently be deposited. It concludes with 8 recommendations to address these issues, such as producing a national archives strategy and seeking solutions for undepositable material.

1. 26/04/13
Archaeological
Archives...
...in Crisis?
Rescue AGM 2013
Gail Boyle, SMA & BMGA
Duncan Brown, SMA & EH

2. 26/04/13
POLICY HE12: POLICY PRINCIPLES GUIDING THE
RECORDING OF INFORMATION RELATED TO
HERITAGE ASSETS
12.3
Local planning authorities should require any archive generated to be
deposited with a local museum or other public depository willing to
receive it.
Local planning authorities should impose planning conditions or
obligations to ensure such work is carried out in a timely manner and
that the completion of the exercise is properly secured.

3. 26/04/13
http://www.archaeologists.net/sites/default/files/node-files/SouthportreportA4.pdf
3.3. Accessible archives and
dissemination
3.3.1 … archives are often seen as
an inconvenient by-product of
a project and that once in store
they are forgotten and unused
3.3.2 … archive creation and
compilation is often compromised
3.3.3 … standards at individual
repositories can vary
3.3.4 … repositories are unable to
achieve acceptable standards
of curation for digital material
3.3.5 Archaeology stores are full to
capacity

4. 26/04/13
3.3.6 …need a selection process
3.3.7 …the planning process does not
successfully monitor archive
delivery
3.3.9 …in many areas there is no
repository for archive generated
3.3.10 … little synchronisation between
museums/repositories and HERs,
record offices and universities

5. 26/04/13
http://www.archaeologists.net/sites/default/files/node-files/SouthportreportA4.pdf
3.3.16 Accessible archives and
dissemination
13 Raising the profile of archaeological
archives
14 Improved standards and better
guidance for archive compilation and
curation
15 Development of resource centres

6. 26/04/13
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/nppf

7. 26/04/13
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/nppf
Conserving and enhancing the historic environment record
141 Local planning authorities should make information about
the significance of the historic environment gathered as
part of plan-making or development management
publicly accessible. They should also require developers to
record and advance understanding of the significance of any
heritage assets to be lost (wholly or in part) in a
manner proportionate to their importance and the impact, and to
make this evidence (and any archive generated)
publicly accessible³º. However, the ability to record evidence
of our past should not be a factor in deciding whether such
loss should be permitted.
³º Copies of evidence should be deposited with the
relevant Historic Environment Record, and any archives with a
local museum or other public depository.

8. 26/04/13
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/protection/national-heritage-protection-plan/

9. 26/04/13
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/protection/national-heritage-protection-plan/
The Society of
Museum Archaeologists
Measure 2 - Threat: Assessment and Response
2E2 CAPACITY-LOSS IN LOCAL AUTHORITIES
2E2.102 Evaluating the archaeological resource in store
Report on the current position of archaeological archive collection in
England
Update the existing map of collecting areas
Identify where an archaeological resource centre would be a suitable
solution
Investigate the use, storage and curation of archaeological archives in
museums
Clarify the relationship between archaeology and other types of museum
collections
Assess how much material has been collected since the advent of
PPG16
Establish the quantity of undeposited archive material

10. 26/04/13

11. 26/04/13
Museums
161 museums surveyed:
134 responses

12. 26/04/13
Contractors
100 + organisations
consulted:
46 responses

13. 26/04/13
http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/sma_map/map.cfm

14. 26/04/13
Map – Vital Statistics
 links to the 151 museums whether
accepting or not, plus contact information
 120 able to collect but only 84 without
conditions
 47 local authority areas with no current
collecting body for archives

15. 26/04/13
Specialist Staff
 Only 30% of the museums that replied had a
curator of archaeology or equivalent – many reported
staff lost as the consequences of local authority budget
cuts

16. 26/04/13
Space
On average archaeological
collections occupy 22% of
space available in museum
stores – local history occupies
double this amount

17. 26/04/13
Uses
More museums appeared to use
archaeological collections for loans,
teaching collections, and handling
packs than other types of
collections.

18. 26/04/13
Visits
40 museums reported a collective
total of over 2000 visits to see
archaeological material in store in
one year alone

19. 26/04/13
Archaeological collections, including
archaeological archives, have been used by
respondents to reach a very wide and diverse
range of audiences.
Projects & Audiences
Archaeological collections, including
archives, have been used by
respondents to reach a very wide and
diverse range of audiences.

20. 26/04/13
Effects of PPG16
Many more sites since 1992 but fewer large archives.

21. 26/04/13
Archives with Units
9,000 un-depositable archaeological
archives in England. The estimated
volume of un-depositable archives was
1,160m³.
The figures indicated an estimated
national storage cost of £330,000
annually.

22. 26/04/13
1.3 Recommendations
1 Produce a policy statement on the
significance of archaeological archives
nationally, and their importance as a key
resource in the future.
EH, ACE, AAF
2 Promote the potential of archaeological
archives as a resource for engaging all
communities.
AAF, SMA, IfA
3 Establish a national strategy for archive
completion as a means of providing easy
access to the archaeological record.
AAF
4 Develop a national strategy for the storage
and curation of archaeological archives.
ACE, EH, AAF

23. 26/04/13
5 Ensure that the significance of archives is
fully recognised at all stages of planning- led
archaeological work.
AAF, ALGAO, SMA, FAME
6 Seek solutions for archive material that
currently cannot be transferred to a
repository.
AAF, EH, FAME, ALGAO
7 Develop a framework for the provision of
archaeological archive advice to practitioners in
planning authorities, contracting
organisations, museums, and community
groups.
AAF, IfA
8 Promote and publicise the collecting areas
map.
SMA, FAME

24. 26/04/13
AGM
8th
May 2013
Westminster Meeting House
8, Hop Lane,
St. Martin’s Lane
London

25. 26/04/13
1975
1963
2002
1951
1960