tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169753352024-03-05T04:36:37.112+00:00PAUL BELFORDArchaeology, cultural heritage and the historic environment.Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-33338215141887274842020-08-23T13:50:00.002+00:002020-08-23T13:50:25.941+00:00Surveying the archaeology of survey<p>We have had a great couple of weeks' archaeology at Beacon Ring, in what will probably be the final season of excavations at our Iron Age hillfort for a while. The target this year was the mound in the middle of the site, which hazy antiquarian references suggested could have been a Bronze Age burial mound. However it became clear quite early on that it had more recent origins.</p><p>We had always been slightly surprised that the nearby Ordnance Survey
Triangulation Pillar (trigpoint) had been built off the top of the
mound. The <a href="https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/blog/2016/04/a-history-of-the-trig-pillar/" target="_blank">history of trigpoints</a> - and the 'retriangulation survey' which gave rise to them in the 1930s and 1940s - is described <a href="https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/blog/2016/04/a-history-of-the-trig-pillar/" target="_blank">in this Ordnance Survey blog</a> post.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaMMJRo54bc55kBwGb80rt9D3Iy85MJOKkE5YfcK5nCHUTJeOs4dDNz1oFL_gcjTx-_qBjEOqxN0Bkmcoixal-0o4TpOKEEgJKBWNQK15WJHWxsvxva-StUOzCJHiKGOmSSjj/s1024/br01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaMMJRo54bc55kBwGb80rt9D3Iy85MJOKkE5YfcK5nCHUTJeOs4dDNz1oFL_gcjTx-_qBjEOqxN0Bkmcoixal-0o4TpOKEEgJKBWNQK15WJHWxsvxva-StUOzCJHiKGOmSSjj/w512-h384/br01.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>CPAT archaeologists at work, surveying the archaeology of survey.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p>Our trigpoint dates to 1948, so it had some period of usefulness before the famous forestry which now covers the hillfort was planted in December 1953. However it also had a predecessor, at a slightly different location, which our excavations have revealed.</p><div class="css-1dbjc4n"><div class="css-901oao r-hkyrab r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="tweet-text" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">The older Ordnance Survey benchmark is in two parts. On top is a concrete block, which actually looks like the concrete has been poured into a hole cut into the ground. There was a grease-filled metal cap set into the top, which had a very clear circular hole or notch as a survey mark. This appears to be a 'block' type of triangulation point; the top would probably have been at, or just below, the ground surface at the time it was installed.</span></div><div class="css-901oao r-hkyrab r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="tweet-text" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span></div><div class="css-901oao r-hkyrab r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="tweet-text" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjMKI935NChF28RSF9nAXiJTszOdII7Eb7qZv8JyGbtFsrWHNLJ8S27Nwu4t9UQSms9Kfjy5LHXLcQFyjhibpcOPqRkdRZ9iLSGkZQee6dzOg-r4_iKIsONUh8P9siCguuQbf/s2016/br02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjMKI935NChF28RSF9nAXiJTszOdII7Eb7qZv8JyGbtFsrWHNLJ8S27Nwu4t9UQSms9Kfjy5LHXLcQFyjhibpcOPqRkdRZ9iLSGkZQee6dzOg-r4_iKIsONUh8P9siCguuQbf/w512-h384/br02.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HKC0DagFGrxBB8_OoH-nX2y4oQSptZJaLowboy6QqtnQ8RH2Yv8WPTZSwx_tNA_RafDmf6U0-g4WIyGqG6QoSEPkFTBRHmQH0IT0aqH5WWPRNDIpnPnxBj64p9g5TxsOTpa-/s2016/br03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HKC0DagFGrxBB8_OoH-nX2y4oQSptZJaLowboy6QqtnQ8RH2Yv8WPTZSwx_tNA_RafDmf6U0-g4WIyGqG6QoSEPkFTBRHmQH0IT0aqH5WWPRNDIpnPnxBj64p9g5TxsOTpa-/w512-h384/br03.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The upper block. Bottom photo shows the metal cap removed.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /></span></div><div class="css-901oao r-hkyrab r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="tweet-text" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Certainly the composition of the mound above this level seemed fairly modern; a loose dark earth with bits of glass and charcoal. </span></div><div class="css-901oao r-hkyrab r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="tweet-text" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><br /></span></div><div class="css-901oao r-hkyrab r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="tweet-text" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">The lower part of the older benchmark was a stone slab, about 900mm square. This had been set into the underlying subsoil. A classic 'benchmark' was carved into the top surface, again with a circular hole or notch which aligned with the upper one. The concrete block had been cast <i>in situ</i>.</span></div><div class="css-901oao r-hkyrab r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="tweet-text" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><br /></span></div><div class="css-901oao r-hkyrab r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="tweet-text" lang="en"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaS62L5PqUiWgfytorIH9fq_DgDFf7-rW6axipCEHqa8VHqUHop_SoS8TdB0SMtUNYtVsbBk6yfaeNntJ2BW7pXCFcTAtuKsMEguhkr-ufzKzK-ZLLmnk1VhYxcJlsTZuHDAp6/s2016/br04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaS62L5PqUiWgfytorIH9fq_DgDFf7-rW6axipCEHqa8VHqUHop_SoS8TdB0SMtUNYtVsbBk6yfaeNntJ2BW7pXCFcTAtuKsMEguhkr-ufzKzK-ZLLmnk1VhYxcJlsTZuHDAp6/w384-h512/br04.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The lower stone slab showing the carved benchmark</i>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"></span></div><div class="css-901oao r-hkyrab r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="tweet-text" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"></span></div><div class="css-901oao r-hkyrab r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="tweet-text" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><br /></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">It is not clear why the trigpoint and benchmark are in different places. Nor do we know how old the stone slab is likely to be. Any information would be gratefully received!</span></div><div class="css-901oao r-hkyrab r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="tweet-text" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span></div><div class="css-901oao r-hkyrab r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" id="tweet-text" lang="en"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">As for the mound, it may have been the location of the 'beacon' which gave the hillfort its name. The charcoal-rich deposit above the benchmark was probably the result of bonfires which we know the local gentry had caused to be lit in honour of Royal celebrations (notable occasions included Queen Victoria's Jubilees in 1887 and 1897). Since this is the highest point of the interior of the hillfort, it was probably the location of an earlier beacon, first depicted on a seventeenth-century map.</span></div></div><p><br /></p>Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-75339757647049174722020-07-27T18:30:00.000+00:002020-08-12T07:33:11.342+00:00Community archaeology in north-east Wales<p> It is great to be able to finally publish with my colleague <a href="https://twitter.com/susmounds" target="_blank">Dr Penelope Foreman</a>, in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20518196.2020.1794115" target="_blank"><b><i>Journal of Community Archaeology and Heritage</i></b>.</a></p><p>We have been working on this paper since last year, which describes a few long-term projects we have been doing in north-east Wales. Despite the tiny budgets and limited scope of many of the projects, we feel that the long-term gains have been impressive - both for the communities and for the <a href="https://cpat.org.uk/" target="_blank">Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust</a>. We discuss this in a frank and reflexive way: we have come a long way but there is still a lot to do.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20518196.2020.1794115" target="_blank">full article is Open Access</a> [ <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/20518196.2020.1794115" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #006db4; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 0.85em; margin: 0px 0.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; word-break: break-all;">https://doi.org/10.1080/20518196.2020.1794115</a>]; I have reproduced the abstract below to whet your appetite.</p><p></p><blockquote>This paper explores the transformation of community archaeology and heritage in a particular part of the UK with unique and somewhat conservative sets of structures for delivering public archaeology. The transformation is ongoing and is bounded by a range of theoretical, methodological and institutional constraints. These frameworks provide the context for an account of the successes and failures of projects in north-east Wales. Important strands of thought and action include the role of national identity in place-making and the ways in which national political priorities may need to inform and shape local initiatives. The paper discusses some of the theoretical and practical approaches that may be suited to further developing community archaeology and heritage in Wales and beyond.</blockquote><p></p><p>The <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20518196.2020.1794115" target="_blank">link to the article is <b>here</b></a>. As usual, comments are always welcome.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-26888809428334425492020-06-30T15:30:00.002+00:002020-08-12T07:41:54.138+00:00Archaeology, planning and public benefit<p>On 30 June the Prime Minister gave a speech in Dudley which set out some of the direction of travel of the thinking of the current government around planning in England.</p><p>One of the key tropes of his speech was the idea that environmental regulations delay construction (he referred to 'newt-counting' but archaeology is usually considered in the same category). In fact, as numerous commentators pointed out, the main delays in the system are caused by developers themselves waiting for suitably profitable market conditions.</p><p>My concern is that in defending archaeology's role in the planning system over the coming months the sector will focus too much on the economic arguments and potentially lose sight of the other benefits that archaeology can bring to society more widely.</p><p>I have written a <a href="https://medium.com/@paulbelford/removing-archaeology-and-heritage-protection-from-the-planning-system-will-make-society-poorer-ff7359a9cf39" target="_blank">lengthy piece</a> on <i>Medium</i>, arguing that <a href="https://medium.com/@paulbelford/removing-archaeology-and-heritage-protection-from-the-planning-system-will-make-society-poorer-ff7359a9cf39" target="_blank">removing archaeology and heritage protection from the planning system will make society poorer</a>. It concludes:</p><p></p><blockquote>One of archaeology’s great strengths is its ability to question the received historical wisdom, and to throw light on those darker aspects of the country’s past. These are the bread and butter of development-driven archaeological practice, and they are also quite often the most interesting bits of archaeology that tell forgotten stories about ordinary people. Of course this includes issues that we have been discussing in recent weeks and months — such as the legacies of slavery and colonialism on our present-day institutions and structures. A ‘radical reform’ of the planning system runs the risk of devaluing the undesignated assets that reflect these hidden stories of the poor, the dispossessed and the powerless.</blockquote><p></p><p>You can <a href="https://medium.com/@paulbelford/removing-archaeology-and-heritage-protection-from-the-planning-system-will-make-society-poorer-ff7359a9cf39" target="_blank">read the full piece here</a>. Comments are always welcome.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-29543164743064854212020-03-10T15:33:00.002+00:002020-08-13T18:45:13.966+00:00Borderlands: rethinking archaeological research frameworksLiving and working across the England-Wales border I am constantly struck by the similarities and differences in the legislation, structures and practice of archaeology and cultural heritage on both sides.<br />
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In <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17567505.2020.1737777" target="_blank">this recent paper</a> I have chosen to explore the impact of borders on archaeological research frameworks. The paper considers not just administrative borders (nations or counties), but also the 'internal' borders that archaeologists construct for themselves - including the different weight accorded to different sectors of the professions, gender inequality and access to data. I have also slightly reviewed my assessment of archaeological 'biospheres' which I explored <a href="https://paulbelford.blogspot.com/2019/09/archaeological-associations-and.html" target="_blank">in an earlier post</a>.<br />
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The paper has been published online in the journal <i><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17567505.2020.1737777" target="_blank"><b>The Historic Environment: Policy and Practice</b></a></i>.<br />
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Here is the abstract:<br /><blockquote>Research frameworks for archaeology in the UK have a long history. Since the 1990s research frameworks have been developed in formal programmes initially driven by state heritage bodies. These were intended to facilitate better decision-making in development-driven archaeological projects, and to provide an interface between archaeologists. However the effectiveness of such frameworks is limited by a number of constraints. These include ‘internal’ boundaries created by historic environment professionals: chronological borders; professional borders; disciplinary borders; and borders limiting access and regulating control. There are also boundaries created by others, which include institutional and resourcing constraints as well as the geographical limits of modern administrative boundaries. This paper discusses these issues through the prism of the border region between England and Wales, a borderland zone with long histories of conflict and co-operation. Some suggestions are offered for future changes.</blockquote>
A link to the full paper is <b><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17567505.2020.1737777" target="_blank">here</a></b>. A more accessible link will be provided in due course; in the meantime please do get in touch if you would like a PDF.<br />
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<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17567505.2020.1737777">https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17567505.2020.1737777</a><br />
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<br />Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-68985358298900343572019-09-06T08:26:00.000+00:002019-09-09T06:42:42.582+00:00Archaeological associations and the archaeological 'biosphere'Yesterday the regular meeting of the EAA 'Community of Professional Associations in Archaeology' took place at the <a href="https://www.e-a-a.org/eaa2019" target="_blank">European Association of Archaeologists meeting in Bern</a>. This year provided an opportunity to update on the 'Connecting Archaeological Associations in Europe' project that we began following last year's EAA meeting in Barcelona. I posted about it <a href="https://paulbelford.blogspot.com/2019/03/connecting-archaeological-associations.html" target="_blank">on this blog</a> (<a href="https://paulbelford.blogspot.com/2019/03/connecting-archaeological-associations.html" target="_blank">link here</a>), and you can read the paper Gerry Wait and I wrote for <a href="https://www.dguf.de/fileadmin/AI/ArchInf-EV_Belford_Wait.pdf" target="_blank">Archäologische Informationen </a>(Open Access)<a href="https://www.dguf.de/fileadmin/AI/ArchInf-EV_Belford_Wait.pdf" target="_blank"> here</a>. Gerry and I are working with Frank Siegmund and Diane Scherzler of DGUF.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Bern seen from the University </i></span></div>
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The project has so far had responses from over 140 organisations across Europe - some large, most very small - but together representing 45,000 citizens. This justifies one of the rationales for the project - archaeological associations (of whatever form) provide a huge opportunity for archaeologists to engage with the wider world.<br />
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My own contribution was to try and characterise the situation in the UK. I chose to use an analogy from natural science, and described the archaeological frameworks in the UK as a series of ecosystems together forming a biosphere. This was then used as a background on which to map the influence of the different types of archaeological association. I will summarise the talk here.<br />
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In my very simplified scheme I identified four broad archaeological 'ecosystems' in the UK.<br />
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<b>Academia </b>is arguably the oldest of these 'ecosystems', but many UK academics do not study the archaeology of the UK. Moreover academics do not always engage with the other ecosystems (but more on that in a moment). Arrangements for '<b>state heritage agencies</b>' differ markedly between the different parts of the UK. Wales effectively has three actors in the system (Cadw, the Royal Commission and the Welsh Archaeological Trusts), England now has two (Historic England an English Heritage) and Scotland just one (Historic Environment Scotland). The other two 'ecosystems' have emerged following the adoption of 'polluter pays' legislation from the early 1990s. <b>Planning authorities</b> and commercial archaeology represent the two sides of that coin. Planning in archaeology is generally done at 'county' level in the UK, with some notable exceptions such as London (where is done by Historic England) and Wales (where it is done by the Welsh Archaeological Trusts).<b> Consultants and contractors</b> come in a bewildering variety of sizes and institutional structures.<br />
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These four 'ecosystems' work together in a 'biosphere'. This is my rough attempt to characterise the flows of information and action between the different 'ecosystems' in the archaeological 'biosphere'. The thicker the arrow the stronger the flow, and the closer the connection.<br />
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Clearly the strongest connections are between those two sides of the 'polluter pays' coin - between planning archaeologists and the consultants and contractors in the private sector. Information flows regularly between them: consultants and contractors work to a brief prepared by their planning colleagues; they use data in the Historic Environment Records (HERs) to inform their work, and their work adds data to the HERs - and this all happens on a regular and frequent cycle. Planning archaeologists tend to have good links with their colleagues in the state heritage agencies too. Those in the state heritage agencies are usually well-connected politically, but not always directly with archaeologists 'on the ground' or with local communities. Academics tend to engage less frequently with commercial archaeologists and with planning archaeologists (and HERs); they do have closer relationships with state heritage actors who provide permission to undertake work on certain sites, and are useful partners when seeking funding.<br />
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This is an enormous simplification, but non-UK colleagues found it a helpful way of describing a complex and not always logical system. Of course archaeologists in the 'biosphere' are aware of the tendency of the 'ecosystems' to become silos, and so they join and participate in archaeological associations to learn more about what is going on elsewhere, and to keep up-to-date with their own interests.<br />
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There are a number of different types of archaeological assocation. To simplify, I again characterised these into four broad types.</div>
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The category '<b>professional associations</b>' contains the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), which is the only body to accredit archaeologists and to hold them accountable to a <i>Code of Conduct</i> through peer review. <b>Associations 'by similar employment' </b>are those representing institutions - I used the examples of the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (ALGAO) and the Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers (FAME). Essentially these associations represent institutions forming the two sides of the 'polluter pays' coin - ALGAO for planning archaeologists, and FAME for contractors and consultants. <b>Pressure or lobby groups</b> have been formed almost in a 'counter cultural' way at particular times of development pressure, and are now part of the archaeological establishment. I used the examples of the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) established in 1944, and RESCUE - established in 1971 during the second wave of post-war redevelopment and still an important voice.<br />
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Finally there are the <b>learned societies</b>. These go back to the post-Enlightenment eighteenth century, and range in size from very local, to regional, national and international. Some specialise in a particular period (the Society for Medieval Archaeology for example), others in particular types of archaeology regardless of period (for instance the Historical Metallurgy Society). Most have a journal and organise trips and meetings; many are constrained by the demographics of their membership.<br />
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Now I attempted to map these associations against the 'biosphere' of the active archaeological discipline.<br />
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Generally speaking learned societies are dominated by academics, and to a lesser extent those from state heritage bodies (usually senior people in stable employment). They appeal to those in the 'polluter pays' part of the system too, but for a variety of reasons to a lesser extent. In contrast the associations by employment appeal exclusively to planning archaeologists and archaeological contractors and consultants.<br />
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Professional associations appeal largely to archaeological contractors and consultants, with significant engagement too from colleagues in planning authorities. This is because CIfA offers independent accreditation and a 'badge' of competence to practice, which is valued by clients and other non-archaeologists. In contrast academic colleagues, and those in state heritage agencies, feel validated by their own status and the accreditation that their own institution provides, so see less value in CIfA membership (although I think they are wrong to do so).<br />
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On the other hand pressure or lobby groups appeal much more to academics, who are not as tightly constrained as their colleagues elsewhere. Archaeologists working for the state heritage agencies or in local government (or in the case of planning archaeologists in Wales working for neither but funded by both) have to remain politically neutral. Commercial archaeologists likewise can be more cautious about the political aspect of pressure and lobby groups as they do not wish to alienate clients.<br />
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The video below is an abridged version of the full presentation.<br />
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I hope you find this useful. If you have any comments please let me know. Perhaps the best way of doing so is via Twitter but other ways are also welcome!<br />
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<br />Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-1507747756148133242019-03-21T16:30:00.000+00:002019-03-21T16:30:10.557+00:00Connecting archaeological associations in EuropeThe annual session of the EAA ‘Professional Associations Community’ has tended to focus on the work of organisations such as DGUF and CIfA, and progress being made in similar vein elsewhere. Whilst this is excellent and necessary, it became clear at the 2018 <a href="https://paulbelford.blogspot.com/2018/09/european-association-of-archaeologists.html" target="_blank">EAA meeting</a> that this approach risked ignoring a huge and valuable range of other organisations that – although they were not national or regional state heritage agencies, private companies or professional associations – nevertheless made an essential contribution to archaeological work.<br />
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These sorts of organisations may be very specific in their focus – a particular town or region, a specific period, or a certain specialist interest. Many of these organisations have a very wide range of individual members, and there is a degree of overlap in membership. In some cases these associations or organisations are open to non-archaeological members too.</div>
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However, there is considerable duplication of effort, and not all archaeological organisations are communicating effectively with each other. This is perhaps most apparent in the efforts by archaeologists to interact with, and to influence, a wider socio-political agenda. Archaeology does not exist in a vacuum, it is a public endeavour which exists in the public realm. It is governed and influenced by political decision-making but has not always been able to vocalise its concerns. Thus, it is not possible to send unified, consistent messages to wider society unless the sector knows who all of its constituent voices are. Therefore, the first step is to know who represents individual archaeologists and then open a discussion and dialogue between them.</div>
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Therefore a small group – including Frank Siegmund and Diane Scherzler of DGUF, Gerry Wait of Triskelion Heritage and myself partly as a representative of CIfA – have begun to try and overcome these issues by setting up a project for ‘connecting the archaeological associations of Europe’. </div>
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The first stage of this project is to collect data by questionnaire, which can be found on this page:</div>
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<a href="https://www.soscisurvey.de/ConAAEu/">https://www.soscisurvey.de/ConAAEu/</a></div>
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More information about the thinking behind the project can be found in a paper by Gerry and I, which is linked from this page:</div>
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Further updates will appear from time to time as data comes in and the project develops.</div>
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Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-17221513833624866132018-11-14T17:00:00.000+00:002018-11-14T17:23:29.847+00:00Blood, faith and ironI am delighted to announce that <a href="http://www.archaeopress.com/ArchaeopressShop/Public/displayProductDetail.asp?id=39D086E7-78E2-422E-B8A1-884672FE79F5" target="_blank">my book on early industrialisation</a> in the Ironbridge Gorge has been published by <a href="http://www.archaeopress.com/ArchaeopressShop/Public/displayProductDetail.asp?id=39D086E7-78E2-422E-B8A1-884672FE79F5" target="_blank">Archaeopress</a>. It examines the development of the landscape before c.1650, looking at pre-Dissolution industrial activity but mainly focussing on the period after c.1540.<br />
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It is available from the <a href="http://www.archaeopress.com/ArchaeopressShop/Public/displayProductDetail.asp?id=39D086E7-78E2-422E-B8A1-884672FE79F5" target="_blank">Archaeopress website</a>, and I think it will also be available at TAG. This is the blurb:</div>
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'The Ironbridge Gorge is an iconic industrial landscape, presented as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and so part of a national narrative of heroic Protestant individualism. However this is not the full story. In fact this industrial landscape was created by an entrepreneurial Catholic dynasty over 200 years before the Iron Bridge was built. This book tells that story for the first time. </div>
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'Acquiring land at the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Brooke family invested in coal mining and iron production – and introduced a radical new method of steelmaking which transformed that industry. Drawing together years of painstaking archaeological and historical research, this book looks in detail at the landscape, buildings and industrial installations created by the Brooke dynasty between the Dissolution and the English Civil War. It also explores the broader contexts – religious, economic and political – which shaped their mind-set and their actions. It considers medieval influences on these later developments, and looks at how the Brookes’ Catholicism was reflected in the way they created a new industrial landscape. In so doing it questions traditional narratives of English industrialisation, and calls for a more sophisticated understanding of this period by historical archaeologists.'</div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-63302555970458565002018-10-01T08:28:00.000+00:002018-11-14T13:34:43.936+00:00Offa's Dyke seminar and excavationsLast month we ran a day school on behalf of the <a href="https://offaswatsdyke.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Offa's Dyke Collaboratory</a>, an initiative which I <a href="https://paulbelford.blogspot.com/2018/04/offas-dyke-conservation-conversations.html" target="_blank">wrote about earlier in the year</a>. In contrast to previous events, this was very much an opportunity for local groups and individuals to come and present their work and to discuss their approaches to Offa's Dyke and the world of Mercian border studies more generally. The event, which took place in Oswestry, was followed by a visit to the ongoing CPAT excavations at <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirk-castle" target="_blank">Chirk Castle</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>CPAT stalwart Ian Grant talking to day school delegates at Chirk Castle.</i></span></div>
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The event enabled a wide range of views to be presented. This is the programme for the day.<br />
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Highlights included Niall Heaton's presentation on the Dyke at Trefonen - a very engaging and confident contribution from a teenager's perspective which turned a few ideas on their heads in a very welcome way. Mel Roxby-Mackey explained the interesting ways in which the CoSMM project hopes to develop. Dick Finch and Ray Bailey (the latter accidentally without any slides) gave fresh and unconventional approaches to the Dyke at - or even beyond - its conventionally-established extremes.<br />
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All in all an excellent day, and we hope to be able to follow this up in 2019 with another communit-led event.<br />
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<br />Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-54048586681535707722018-09-13T08:22:00.000+00:002018-11-14T12:55:02.886+00:00European Association of Archaeologists 2018Well, another superb <a href="https://www.e-a-a.org/eaa2018" target="_blank">EAA conference</a> - this time in Barcelona - which for me was characterised by two main strands of activity. The first, following on from last year, was developing the very exciting new 'Urban Archaeology Community' with my colleague from the Netherlands, Jeroen Bouwmeester. The second, in the wake of our exciting season at Beacon Ring, was to immerse myself in the world of European hillfort studies.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>A bit of sightseeing before the conference.</i></span></div>
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First we reported progress in the Urban Archaeology Community (UAC) to the pre-conference meeting of all the Communities, which was hosted by the EAA President Felipe Criado-Boado. Felipe has been very keen to promote new communities which reflect the diversity of European archaeology, and it is very interesting to see the Association develop in this way.<br />
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Our session (on the Saturday) was intended to discuss the major issues facing urban archaeology in Europe. We had some great presentations, as you can see...<br />
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Christiane gave an excellent overview of the situation in Luxembourg, emphasising the ways in which political issues affected the ways in which archaeologists undertook urban archaeology. This was followed by a very different perspective from Malta by Smaranda, who discussed the interconnections between marine conservation and urban archaeology, and the relationships between urban places and marine pollution. She concluded by noting the important role for archaeologists on the interface between culture, society and the environment. Next, Alicia talked about the management of urban heritage from a World Heritage perspective, using the city of Toledo as a case study. She argued that archaeological voices were largely absent from touristic understandings of places, and suggested that this was an issue for archaeologists to resolve through dialogue and participation - communication was a big issue for archaeology.<br />
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This was followed by Valeria's analysis of the role of data, an Italian perspective on a universal issue. There is, she argued, too much inconsistency in the recording, storage and presentation of data - moreover most of it is inaccessible except to specialists. As a result, although there is a lot of data much of which is of high quality, it is not being used in urban design to best advantage. The final presentation was from Gugliemo, who talked eloquently about the many issues around using geophysics in urban places - with a series of case studies from the Mediterranean.<br />
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Discussion was, as ever, lively. We debated the role of the group and added some new recruits to its development and promotion. We also committed to develop the group outside the EAA meetings, and provisionally agreed to hold an interim meeting in the spring (hopefully in Rome).<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Delegates at the UAC session posing outside the EAA venue.</span></i></div>
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Most of the rest of the conference was spent listening to several sessions on hillfort studies. I won't report those in detail, but suffice to say I learned a great deal about all sorts of things that I wouldn't otherwise have done. I was particularly impressed by ongoing projects in Lithuania, Germany, Spain and Ireland.<br />
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As ever it was great to meet new colleagues and catch up with existing friends and contacts. We also made a lot of progress on discussions around the role of existing groups in enabling a pan-European network of archaeologists at grass-roots levels - and I am hoping to work with DGUF to develop a project around this in the coming months.<br />
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Many thanks as ever to the organisers and the student volunteers who made this such an excellent conference. I am already looking forward to next year in Bern!<br />
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Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-83888349082563752942018-08-31T08:17:00.000+00:002018-11-14T11:55:29.838+00:00Beacon Ring hillfort excavationsWe have just finished a season of fieldwork at <a href="http://www.cpat.org.uk/beacon/" target="_blank">Beacon Ring</a>, a hillfort which has been owned by the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust since 2008. The hillfort is covered in trees, which were planted in 1953, and the purpose of our excavations - in part at least - was to try and see what (if any) damage the trees had caused to the underlying archaeology.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trench 1. Overhead view, with Richard adding the final touches for the photograph. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The dark layer at the base of the trench is the buried soil horizon.</span></i></div>
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We excavated six trenches looking at three areas: the rampart on the eastern side of the hillfort (Trench 1, shown above), the area in the unusually wide southern entrance (Trenches 2 and 3, shown below) and three trenches in the woods.<br />
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Excavations at Trench 1 began with a sense of anticipation, knowing that colleagues elsewhere had found structures (whether stone walls or timber revetments) in other hillfort ramparts. However the excavation revealed that the structure had been entirely built of material removed from the ditch, tipped in a series of layers and then consolidated. A buried soil layer beneath the rampart seems to represent the ground surface at the time the ditch was cut and the bank built. We have taken some samples from this, so hopefully these can be dated.<br />
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Trenches 2 and 3 in the southern entrance explored some features shown up in the geophysical survey, as well as trying to understand the relationship between the entrance and the later (medieval?) parish boundary bank that runs all the way through the hillfort. Apart from a small cut feature beneath the parish boundary these - admittedly very small - trenches were not very informative.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Another view from the 'pole cam', this time looking south-east over the southern entrance and towards Corndon and Stiperstones with Trenches 2 and 3 in the foreground. This time Neil is adjusting the scale.</i></span></div>
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Excavations in the woods (Trenches 4, 5 and 6) investigated the impact of two phases of forestry on the interior of the monument. The first plantation appears to have been in existence from the late-nineteenth century until the early 1930s. The second is the current one, planted in 1953 (and famously commemorating the coronation with the EIIR monogram picked out in redwoods). In all three trenches we were pleased to see that the roots were generally very shallow, running along the interface between the topsoil and the underlying clay.<br />
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The project was very generously funded by Cadw, and we had lots of help from a very merry band of volunteers. These included many 'regulars' and locals, but we were also pleased to have the support of Mark Spanjer and some of his students from Saxion University in the Netherlands.<br />
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Hopefully we will be able to secure funding to return next year and answer some of the questions that this year's project has inevitably raised.<br />
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More news as soon as we have finished the report!<br />
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<br />Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-41644386471470613362018-05-16T14:03:00.001+00:002021-05-23T15:10:01.498+00:00A piece of paper in Munich (not that one)It was a delightful honour to be able to represent CIfA at the annual conference of the <a href="http://www.dguf.de/" target="_blank">Deutschen Gesellschaft für Ur- und Frühgeschichte</a> (the German Society for Pre- and Protohistory, more commonly known by its initials as DGUF). This august learned body, founded in 1969, is the largest archaeological association in Germany with over 700 members. More recently it has been closely involved with <a href="https://www.archaeologists.net/" target="_blank">CIfA</a> in setting up a German group of the Chartered Institute.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Signing the MoU between CIfA and DGUF.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://www.triskelionheritage.com/" target="_blank">Gerry Wait</a> and I went to Munich last week to take part in the inaugural AGM of the new group. This was an opportunity for us to help explain the role of CIfA and what it could (and could not) do to help archaeologists in Germany. The AGM was remarkable for its enthusiasm and orderliness. Both of these characteristics are sometimes conspicuously absent from CIfA meetings in the UK, which can be cynical and chaotic affairs. However the passion and commitment of our German colleagues to the cause of professionalism and professional standards in archaeology was commendable and very refreshing.<br />
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This was also an opportunity to sign a draft Memorandum of Understanding between DGUF and CIfA, which - when finalised - will establish closer co-operation between the two organisations. Here are the signatories to that piece of paper. I am looking forward to seeing how the CIfA Deutschland group develops, and I really hope that the 'mother' CIfA can learn some much-needed lessons in administrative efficiency amongst other things.<br />
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I enjoyed Munich very much, and found time to see some of the sights as well as discussing archaeology, professionalism and of course Brexit with German colleagues. The keynote paper was given in Grünwald Castle, and was followed by a delightful early evening drinking some of the various local beers.<br />
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Hopefully there will be an opportunity to attend next year's DGUF meeting in Bonn.<br />
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<br />Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-20199023521234900982018-04-12T17:22:00.001+00:002018-04-12T17:31:57.448+00:00Offa's Dyke: conservation conversationsThe conservation of Offa's Dyke has been the focus of two events in recent weeks. Both were hosted by the <a href="http://offasdyke.org.uk/" target="_blank">Offa's Dyke Association</a> (ODA) and took place at the delightful <a href="http://offasdyke.org.uk/offas-dyke-association/offas-dyke-centre/" target="_blank">Offa's Dyke Centre</a> in Knighton. The first event, on 23 March, was the third meeting of the <a href="https://offaswatsdyke.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Offa's Dyke Collaboratory</a>; the second, on 12 April, was a formal consultation on a new Conservation Management Plan (CMP).<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Offa's Dyke Centre in Knighton, home of the Offa's Dyke Association.</span></i></div>
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Rather than providing a 'blow-by-blow' account of the events, this post summarises some of the main issues around the CMP which were articulated at both meetings.<br />
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First, some background. The <b>Offa's Dyke Collaboratory</b> was established after discussions in 2015 and 2016 around <a href="https://www.oxbowbooks.com/oxbow/offa-s-dyke.html" target="_blank">Keith Ray's monumental book</a> on the Dyke. A number of us felt that some sort of loose collaboration was needed between people and organisations who had been most actively engaged in research, and were likely to be so in the future. The Collaboratory is a mechanism for engagement between academics, communities and professionals; so far three events have been held and fourth is being planned for later in 2018. The papers presented at the <a href="https://offaswatsdyke.wordpress.com/odc-events/offas-dyke-heritage-23rd-march-2018/" target="_blank">Collaboratory event in March can be found on the Offa's Dyke Collaboratory website</a> - along with more information about the Collaboratory, and its events and activities.<br />
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Meanwhile, in 2017 and 2018, Historic England and Cadw jointly funded the production of a <b>Conservation Management Plan</b> for the Dyke. This work - which was overseen by the ODA and undertaken by Andre Berry - was the first re-appraisal of the conservation issues surrounding the Dyke since the original <a href="http://www.cpat.org.uk/offa/odcs.pdf" target="_blank">Conservation Statement</a> was produced in 2000. The new plan has not yet been published, but is in the final stages of production. From what we have seen so far it looks a very thorough piece of work providing a comprehensive and detailed survey of the condition of the Dyke, and an analysis of the key threats to it. The meeting in April was split into two parts - archaeology in the morning, and access (including the relationship between the Dyke and the <a href="https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/offas-dyke-path" target="_blank">Offa's Dyke Path</a>) in the afternoon.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Offa's Dyke at Llanfair Hill, Shropshire.</span></i></div>
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Discussion topics ranged from the minutiae of data management to the possibility of Offa-branded food and tourism products. Three areas stood out for me.<br />
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<b>What about the data?</b> The CMP has produced an enormous quantity of data. Of course there is already a great deal of information on the Dyke already held by the Historic Environment Records (HERs) of the three English counties through which the Dyke passes (<a href="https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/archaeology/request-archaeological-data-from-gloucestershires-historic-environment-record-her/" target="_blank">Gloucestershire</a>, <a href="https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200177/conservation/95/archaeology_and_the_historic_environment_-_advice_and_information/2" target="_blank">Herefordshire</a> and <a href="https://shropshire.gov.uk/environment/historic-environment/historic-environment-record/" target="_blank">Shropshire</a>), and by the <a href="http://www.cpat.org.uk/services/smr/smr.htm" target="_blank">Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust</a> (CPAT) in Wales. There was some discussion about how the data gathered by the CMP process is integrated into the HERs. The creation of a separate database would create all sorts of issues around adding new data to it, or accessing the data already in it. It is also not yet completely clear who owns the data and who may use it. It was agreed that more thought could perhaps have been given to this at the outset of the CMP project. Fortunately the four HER Officers are working closely to resolve some of the (minor) technical issues, and there was clear agreement that this will be a priority for the CMP. Indeed further cross-border co-operation in this area would be a positive outcome more generally for the longer term.<br />
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<b>Informed conservation?</b> The management of the trail needs careful co-ordination with historic environment needs: the CMP has clearly highlighted the need for better co-ordination between the creation of path infrastructure and monument conservation. However it was clear that resources to manage the National Trail were already stretched and likely to be more so in the future. The CMP has also prepared draft archaeological guidance. This is welcome in principle, but the emphasis of the draft proposals sat uncomfortably with many people. Some questioned whether the proposed priorities represented the best use of resources. Many of those present felt that potential opportunities to learn more about the Dyke were not being fully considered. In many places the monument is poorly understood, or even not known at all, and excavation would enable conservation to be fully informed by better understanding. A more ambitious, imaginative and creative approach would be welcome.<br />
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<b>Whose Dyke is it anyway?</b> The increasing divergence between England and Wales in historic environment legislation and resourcing (for which see my <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17567505.2018.1456721" target="_blank">recent paper on politics and heritage in Wales</a>), together with the different approaches in the various local authority areas, means that 'ownership' - of research and conservation, and the data that can be derived from projects - is potentially fragmented. Moreover, archaeologists and 'heritage bureaucrats' aren't the only stakeholders. There is a long tradition of non-professional engagement with the Dyke. Sometimes this has been under the umbrella of community-focussed heritage projects by professional bodies such as <a href="http://www.cpat.org.uk/index.htm" target="_blank">CPAT</a> and <a href="https://htt.herefordshire.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Herefordshire Archaeology</a>. Elsewhere individual groups have developed more independent approaches, such as the recent development of the <a href="https://offaswatsdyke.wordpress.com/2017/10/08/community-stewardship-of-mercian-monuments-cosmm/" target="_blank">CoSSM</a> project. The ODA itself has been instrumental in developing a much wider understanding of the Dyke's historical role, and has also generated a great deal of enthusiasm for the landscape through which it passes. Much of this enthusiasm is driven by aspects that are not directly related to cultural heritage.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">CPAT excavations of the Whitford Dyke (Flintshire) in 2012. Photo copyright CPAT (3551-0033). </span></i></div>
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The CMP is an excellent piece of work, and a sound basis from which to start. Everyone agreed that there must be more archaeological research, better integration of data, improvements to access, and greater community and landowner awareness. However substantial funding for any large-scale project - whether for conservation, access or research - seems unlikely to materialise in the current climate. Replicating the CMP walkover survey at regular intervals would seem to be the most cost-effective way of monitoring the condition of the monument. Conservation needs to be informed by understanding, and - as many said at the meeting - our understanding is somewhat limited (I articulated three areas of particular concern <a href="https://paulbelford.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/offas-dyke-line-in-landscape.html">in a previous post</a>).<br />
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The best approach will be to embed the CMP findings into the HERs so that they can inform more localised research frameworks and investigation projects. These in turn can be delivered under the umbrella of the <a href="https://offaswatsdyke.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Offa's Dyke Collaboratory</a>, to ensure synergy between research, conservation and public benefit.<br />
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It will be interesting to see to what extent the discussions at both meetings - but particularly the formal consultation - will have on the final form of the CMP.<br />
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These are some initial thoughts, and they may cohere more gracefully in time for my presentation on the conservation of Offa's Dyke at the forthcoming <a href="https://www.archaeologists.net/conference/2018">CIfA Conference</a> in a couple of weeks.<br />
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<br />Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-11996666900536637232018-03-29T12:00:00.000+00:002018-04-11T14:55:36.598+00:00Politics and heritage: recent developments in WalesThere have been a lot of changes to the Welsh system of protecting and managing archaeology and cultural heritage recently, mainly arising from the gestation and implementation of the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016. This has taken place in a politicised atmosphere in which devolution, austerity and Brexit are important factors. I have written an overview of these recent events - in the context of the longer timescale of Welsh devolution, and the evolution of historic environment services in Wales over the last 100 years.<br />
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The paper has been published online in the journal <i>The Historic Environment: Policy and Practice</i>. You can read '<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17567505.2018.1456721" target="_blank"><b>Politics and Heritage: Developments in Historic Environment Policy and Practice in Wales</b></a>' on the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17567505.2018.1456721" target="_blank">journal's website</a>.<br />
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Here is the abstract:<br />
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'The process of devolution in the U.K. since 1999 has created differences in policy and practice between the different parts of the U.K. This paper considers the historic environment sector in Wales. In practice the Welsh system has always been slightly different from other parts of the U.K, not least because of the role of the four independent Welsh Archaeological Trusts in performing duties that elsewhere are undertaken by public-sector bodies. The passing of the Historic Environment (Wales) Act in 2016 has made that divergence apparent in policy terms as well. The new legislation has also brought into being policy changes and new guidance across the planning system. This is broadly welcomed as a positive step for Wales. However, it has occurred at a difficult time for cultural heritage in the U.K. in general, and in Wales in particular, with economic and political issues close to the surface of policy and practice in the sector. This paper explores the interface between politics and heritage, both over the long term and in the context of implementing the new legislation, and discusses some of the implications for the future of the historic environment sector in Wales.'<br />
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<a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/17567505.2018.1456721" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.1080/17567505.2018.1456721</a><br />
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I hope you enjoy it, and I would welcome any comments. If you can't access the Taylor and Francis website for the full article, then let me know and I can email a copy. A hard copy of the journal will be posted to subscribers (which include a large number of CIfA members) in June.Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-9084340246583429982017-12-11T09:30:00.000+00:002018-04-11T14:51:05.799+00:00Adding value - professional archaeologyThis week the German journal <i>Archäologische Informationen</i> published a paper by Gerry Wait and I on the <a href="http://www.dguf.de/fileadmin/AI/ArchInf-EV_Belford-Wait.pdf" target="_blank">value of independent <b>professional accreditation for archaeologists and cultural heritage practitioners</b></a>. The journal is read by members of <a href="http://www.dguf.de/index.php" target="_blank">Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ur- und Frühgeschichte e.V. </a>(DGUF), who are interested in the ways in which <a href="http://archaeologists.net/" target="_blank">CIfA</a> has evolved to enhance the professional status of archaeologists.<br />
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This is the abstract:<br />
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There are many approaches to archaeology and cultural heritage across the world. These tend to be situated on a spectrum between total state control (the ‘national patrimony’ model) and the regulation of private actors (the ‘social licence’ model). Whichever model – or combination of models – is used, the success of any archaeological or cultural heritage programme depends on adequate resources, community and stakeholder engagement, and strong regulation and oversight. It is also essential that the archaeologists or other heritage practitioners have the necessary skills and operate in a professional framework which is independent of political or financial structures. What should such a professional framework look like, and how should it be managed? How can an independent professional framework achieve recognition from government and private-sector archaeology and cultural heritage practitioners at all levels? How can such a framework retain the respect of politicians, developers and other professions whose work impacts on archaeology and cultural heritage? What value does an independent system of accreditation add for the public?<br />
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You can read the full text <a href="http://www.dguf.de/fileadmin/AI/ArchInf-EV_Belford-Wait.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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It is worth having a look too at the <a href="http://www.dguf.de/index.php" target="_blank">DGUF website</a>, as well as the homepage of the <a href="http://www.dguf.de/archaeologische-informationen.html" target="_blank"><i>Archäologische Informationen</i> journal</a>.<br />
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This is one of a number of international initiatives that Gerry and I are pursuing on behalf of CIfA, and hopefully there will be more news to report on these soon.<br />
<br />Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-33075298560127725732017-10-24T11:30:00.000+00:002018-04-15T15:03:42.865+00:00Offa's Dyke: a line in the landscapeIt was very nice to receive my copy of '<a href="http://www.helion.co.uk/new-and-forthcoming-titles/fortress-salopia-exploring-shropshire-s-military-history-from-the-prehistoric-period-to-the-twentieth-century-2016-conference-proceedings.html" target="_blank"><b>Fortress Salopia</b></a>' in the post this morning. This book, edited by Tim Jenkins and <a href="https://www.chester.ac.uk/departments/history-and-archaeology/staff/vlh/rachael-abbiss" target="_blank">Rachael Abbiss</a>, explores the long military history of Shropshire - from the Iron Age to the twentieth century. My contribution was chronologically somewhere in the middle, in the form of <a href="https://www.academia.edu/36348973/Offas_Dyke_a_line_in_the_landscape" target="_blank">a chapter on <b>Offa's Dyke</b></a>. <br />
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The <a href="https://www.academia.edu/36348973/Offas_Dyke_a_line_in_the_landscape">Offa's Dyke chapter</a> contrasts the Cyril Fox and Keith Ray schools of thought, and comes up with some conclusions of its own. Although in broad agreement with much of what Keith Ray is saying about the construction and form of the Dyke on the Shropshire stretches, there are some areas where more work needs to be done. For example:<br />
<ul>
<li>The attribution to Offa is still not certain: we only know that the Dyke is post-Roman (Fox) and pre-Norman (Everson) but more dating is required;</li>
<li>The question of entrances and controlled access still needs further work: I examine this in the context of the unusual form of the earthwork at Hergan;</li>
<li>There needs to be more consideration of the relationship between the Dyke and fortified (or at least defensible) enclosures and positions behind (ie. to the east) of it.</li>
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The volume resulted from a conference at the <a href="https://ucshrewsbury.ac.uk/" target="_blank">University Centre Shrewsbury</a> last year, which saw some interesting papers and as usual much debate. Sadly Hugh Hannaford's excellent overview of motte-and-bailey castles in the borderlands was not able to be included in the book, but as well as <a href="https://www.academia.edu/36348973/Offas_Dyke_a_line_in_the_landscape" target="_blank">Offa's Dyke</a>, there is much of interest:</div>
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<li>Andy Wigley on the origins and social context of Iron Age hillforts</li>
<li>Roger White on the impact and legacy of Roman occupation</li>
<li>Rachael Abbiss on the Georgian military landscape</li>
<li>Tim Jenkins on the logistical legacy of the first and second world wars</li>
<li>Ruth Brown and Kay Smith on surviving collections of arms and armour</li>
<li>James Pardoe on the interpretation of military heritage</li>
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It was a very enjoyable meeting and the resulting publication is a useful and timely contribution. It would be nice to see some more thematic studies of Shropshire and the surrounding areas which are similarly well-balanced between academic and popular audiences.</div>
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Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-92163440846164378512017-09-08T13:39:00.000+00:002017-09-08T15:29:22.911+00:00European Association of Archaeologists 2017This year's <a href="http://www.eaa2017maastricht.nl/" target="_blank">EAA conference took place in Maastricht</a> last week. The old town of Maastricht is a delightfully tangled arrangement of narrow streets and little squares. However the conference was held in the MECC, a concrete convention centre about five minutes by train from the old town.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Vrijthof Square, Maastricht</span></i></div>
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Nevertheless this was a good venue in that everything was under one roof. As usual the Netherlands impressed with its efficiency and friendliness. For personal reasons I was in Antwerp for part of the week, so spent some time on various trains shuttling between the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium and the Netherlands, passing through the French-speaking part of Belgium on the way. This reminded me in a very happy way of our massive pan-European road trip earlier this summer, which I should post about sometime.<br />
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Anyway, the conference was held in the shadow the 25th anniversary of two important international agreements. First of course the <a href="https://www.ecb.europa.eu/explainers/tell-me-more/html/25_years_maastricht.en.html" target="_blank">eponymous treaty</a> which led to the creation of the modern EU, including the notions of 'European citizenship' and 'ever closer union'. Sadly a handful of xenophobic bigots in the Tory party have rudely pulled the UK away from these ideals which have brought peace, prosperity, freedom of movement and cultural exchange. This annoys me immensely: I really don't understand why so many old people in the UK think peace, prosperity etc. are bad, and have decided to destroy their children's futures in such a horrific and incompetent manner.<br />
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Perhaps more relevantly, the second treaty is of course the catchily-named <a href="https://www.coe.int/en/web/culture-and-heritage/valletta-convention" target="_blank">'European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Revised)'</a>, more commonly known as the Valetta (or Malta) Convention.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">A gratuitous photograph of Antwerp, to make a point about freedom of movement.</span></i></div>
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There were two principal activities for me at the conference - aside from catching up with people, which I was not able to do as much as I would have liked.<br />
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Firstly I was there to help Jeroen Bouwmeester - a friend and colleague from the Netherlands - run a session on urban archaeology. We had of course done our first session together on this subject in <a href="http://paulbelford.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/eaa-den-haag.html" target="_blank">the Hague (2010)</a> and this was followed the following year by another one in Oslo. Despite further discussion in Helsinki, other things had intervened in both our lives and so it took until now to return to the subject.<br />
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Previous sessions had focussed very much on the act of urban archaeology and in the results that emerged. So there had been lots of discussion of exciting forms of medieval town plan, cesspits and so-on. This time however our focus was on the management of urban archaeology in 'highly dynamic' urban centres. The session was very much about the difficulties of extracting information under extremely pressured and difficult circumstances. We had a great range of papers from the Netherlands, Lithuania, Norway, Switzerland and Italy, and a superb discussion with wide-ranging contributions from as far away as the US and Jerusalem. As is often the case, there is much in common.<br />
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It was clear that Valetta had made some difference to the situation (in a good way) although there were still some alarming tales of the way in which archaeology had been dealt with in the past.<br />
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This was a hugely enjoyable session - and with 50 or so people in a small room it seemed very well-attended. All the credit for pulling everything together must go to Jeroen, who also provided a very interesting theoretical and methodological overview. This time we are determined to produce a publication - so we shall see how that goes!<br />
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My second main purpose at the EAA was to support my colleagues from the <a href="https://www.archaeologists.net/" target="_blank">Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA)</a> in developing links with the EAA itself and with archaeologists in particular countries (notably Germany and the Netherlands) who are trying to find ways of developing professional accreditation systems of their own. As well as two discussion sessions, the meeting also saw the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding between CIfA and the EAA. This means that the two organisations can mutually support and assist each other, and is a good step forward.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Signing of the MoU by Pete Hinton (left) of CIfA and Felipe Criado Boado of the EAA.</span></i></div>
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As ever the EAA was a wonderful event. There was much that I missed. Some of that was my own fault but some of it was also the very nature of such a large and complex event with 2,000 delegates and lots of overlapping and clashing sessions. Nevertheless I did find time to learn about medieval earthworks in Denmark and Iron Age fortifications in eastern Europe.<br />
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I am looking forward to the 2018 conference already!<br />
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<br />Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-88028906384126912562017-07-21T14:11:00.000+00:002017-09-08T14:51:48.529+00:00Brexit and borders<div align="left" class="MsoNormal">
As an archaeologist who voted in favour of the UK remaining in the EU, it is impossible not to consider the historical dimensions of Brexit. A particular concern for me is the potential loss of the freedom of movement that I have been able to take advantage of as an EU citizen. I have been
thinking a lot about borders, particularly the one I cross every day – between
Wales and England.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The train from Aberystwyth to Birmingham International </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">passing the Shrewsbury Sutton Bridge Signal box, August 2016.</span></i></div>
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The current Anglo-Welsh border was created as part of the process of fully incorporating Wales into the English legal system. This was done in 1535 and 1542 by two pieces of legislation collectively known as the ‘Laws in Wales Acts’. The legal status of Wales as part
of England was fixed by the Wales and Berwick Act 1746. In the long term, the effective abolition of Wales as a legal entity has had the opposite effect - increasing nationalism in the nineteenth century has led to the current situation where Wales has its own government, and even, following the 2017 Wales Act, the potential to create its own Parliament (as opposed to the current 'Assembly').
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However in the direction this country is currently being taken it seems quite likely that the Tory government in Westminster will seek to 'take back control' of some of the powers that have been devolved to the constituent parts of the UK. This seems most likely to take place first in the realm of agri-environment schemes and agricultural subsidy more generally, when EU funding will entirely disappear and is promised to be replaced by money from the UK government. The mechanisms for this have not been worked out, and in the meantime the whole system seems to be grinding to a halt, which doesn't inspire much confidence. We shall see.
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It is of course ironic that a government committed to 'the Union' of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is blindly and increasingly incompetently trying to pull the UK away from the European Union. This year is the 25th anniversary of the <a href="https://www.ecb.europa.eu/explainers/tell-me-more/html/25_years_maastricht.en.html" target="_blank">Maastricht Treaty</a>. This document, contentious for Tories and <a href="https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/features/john-major-interview-i-didn%E2%80%99t-anticipate-maastricht-was-going-be-controversial" target="_blank">ultimately fatal for John Major</a>, laid down the principles of the modern EU and began the road to the Euro.
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The EU demonstrates that it is possible to have freedom of movement, freedom of trade, peace, prosperity and mutual support whilst still retaining independence and individuality. Ironically of course regions like Wales benefit the most from the redistribution of wealth within the EU through structural funds. One very stupid thing about Brexit is that the UK is not in Schengen (so we have control of our own borders) and we are not in the Euro (so we have control of our own currency).<br />
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Hopefully the incompetence of the current government is simply a clever ruse to stop the whole thing altogether. Again, we shall see.
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Happily I am about to go on holiday next week on an epic road trip which will take me from Shrewsbury to the Black Sea - passing through or visiting no less than seven other EU countries. Some of these were at various times part of the Habsburg Empire, which managed in a slightly crazy way to hold together various national, linguistic and cultural groups in a structure that permitted freedom of movement, expression and trade.
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Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-30991386754776787292016-09-29T21:06:00.001+00:002016-09-29T21:16:37.303+00:00European Association of Archaeologists 2016This year the <a href="http://eaaweb.asihosting.eu/eaa_prod/EAA/Home/EAA/Default.aspx?hkey=6e780b4c-d010-4ddc-bd22-f110b9b8bbbd" target="_blank">European Association of Archaeologists</a> (EAA) met in <a href="http://eaavilnius2016.lt/" target="_blank">Vilnius</a>. This was my first visit to Lithuania, and I enjoyed it thoroughly; I always find eastern Europe to be vibrant, forward-looking and positive and this was no exception. The EAA is a wonderful forum for bringing together archaeologists across Europe, facilitating dialogue across a range of boundaries. This year's conference took place in the aftermath of the creation of a new boundary - the result of the UK referendum on EU membership.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">'Brexit' session at the EAA. Photograph by Felipe Criado Boado.</span></i></div>
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Indeed there was a special 'Brexit' session, hastily convened and well-attended. Interestingly, UK archaeologists have always comprised the single largest bloc of EAA delegates (estimates ranged from 30-40%); naturally as archaeologists we tend to see the broader temporal and geographical commonalities rather than differences. After all the British Isles only became an archipelago about 8,000 years ago.<br />
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The session effectively fell into two halves.<br />
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The first was a discussion about Brexit. This covered territory that was familiar to UK colleagues - essentially a hand-wringing self-therapy about the loss of academic funding and contacts, the loss of free movement, and the potential loss of free exchange of ideas and ways of working; as well as the depressing expressions of xenophobia, racism and insularity which seem to characterise present-day public discourse in the UK.<br />
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However the second part of the session was much more interesting and indeed positive. Several delegates reminded us that the EAA had unwittingly conflated itself with the EU: the timetabling of next year's meeting at <a href="http://www.eaa2017maastricht.nl/" target="_blank">Maastrict</a> to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the eponymous treaty was emblematic and symptomatic of this. We were reminded of previous conferences in <a href="http://eaaweb.asihosting.eu/eaa_prod/EAA/Conferences/Past_conferences/Sankt_Petersburg/EAA/Navigation_conferences/Past_conferences_webs/Sankt%20Petersburg.aspx" target="_blank">Russia</a> (2003), <a href="http://eaaweb.asihosting.eu/eaa_prod/EAA/EAA/Navigation_conferences/Past_conferences_webs/Oslo.aspx" target="_blank">Norway</a> (2011) and <a href="http://eaaweb.asihosting.eu/eaa_prod/EAA/EAA/Navigation_conferences/Past_conferences_webs/Istanbul.aspx" target="_blank">Turkey</a> (2014) as examples of the EAA reaching out to a wider Europe that was culturally defined, rather than politically defined. The feeling seem to be that we had the opportunity to redefine 'European' archaeology on much wider terms.<br />
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The outcome of this session was therefore a very positive one. Ultimately there will be a rethinking of the role of the EAA as a mechanism for inclusivity of all archaeologists working on, in and around the continent of Europe as broadly as it can be defined. A working party has been established to consider how this might be achieved, and some very positive post-conference conversations have been had around this.<br />
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Archaeologists have a very important voice in the development of future society. We have an understanding of the long-term social changes that have taken place, and recognise the wide variety of environmental, territorial, technological and economic influences that give rise to those changes. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future, but there is a lot that our policy-makers for the future could learn from an understanding of the past. We need to be more self-confident in articulating some of those lessons.<br />
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There were other interesting sessions, of course, including one on climate change that was very challenging... the subject of a future post. The social events were fabulous. Many thanks to our hosts, and to the EAA committees who organised another memorable meeting.<br />
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Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-27256591137417828882016-08-12T15:11:00.002+00:002018-04-06T09:18:15.547+00:00Archaeology and archaeologists in a new EuropeAnother month has passed since the EU referendum, and whilst things are still unsettled it is now possible to see consequences for archaeology other than the immediate negative impacts <a href="http://paulbelford.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/eu-referendum-culture.html" target="_blank">which I described in my previous post</a> - namely a loss of public and private funding from all parts of the sector.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Offa's Dyke, near Oswestry, Shropshire. Once a fiercely contested border on the edge of Europe; </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">now just a dotted line on a map and a place for nature, relaxation and togetherness.</span></div>
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That will of course still happen. Many of the economic consequences were detailed by Doug Rocks-Macqueen in his <a href="https://dougsarchaeology.wordpress.com/2016/06/20/what-brexit-or-exit-will-mean-for-archaeology-really-all-of-the-uk/" target="_blank">excellent pre-Brexit blog post</a> (which has had a number of post-Brexit addenda). I think Doug's analysis was basically correct - economically it will be at best bad, or it could be very bad, or worse.</div>
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Additionally there is the Brexit dream of cutting 'red tape' - specifically 'streamlining' the planning system to enable development. Since most UK archaeology is undertaken as part of the planning process, this represents a very real potential threat. </div>
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In the longer term the greatest danger is a diminution in European archaeological co-operation, particularly when the frameworks for much of that co-operation are multi-partner projects with European public funding. Any restriction on freedom of movement will massively hamper the ability of archaeologists in all countries to continue meaningful research, and to share best practice.</div>
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However, positivity is essential, and we need to proactively and enthusiastically fight our corner. In this context I was delighted that the <a href="http://www.archaeologists.net/" target="_blank">CIfA</a> met with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport last week, and argued that:</div>
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<li>free movement of accredited archaeologists is essential</li>
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The f<a href="http://www.archaeologists.net/news/cifa-announcement-beyond-brexit-archaeologists-re-state-status-global-profession-1470906229" target="_blank">ull statement can be found on the CIfA website</a>.</div>
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We need to think positively about how to develop new and potentially more interesting and flexible frameworks in the future. After all there are also active and very constructive collaborations going on all the time with our colleagues in non-EU European countries, as well as with those in the US, Africa, Asia and elsewhere.<br />
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It is also the case that the Brexit vote is likely to have an impact on the EU too. There will be reconsideration of processes, policies and funding streams; and in particular much soul-searching about the relationship of EU structures to national and regional populations.</div>
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It is perhaps ironic that UK archaeologists are among the most enthusiastic and numerous participants in the annual <a href="http://www.e-a-a.org/" target="_blank">European Association of Archaeologists</a> meetings, and have consistently strongly influenced the direction of travel for professional archaeology across most of north-west Europe and elsewhere. We are all well aware that modern national boundaries are essentially meaningless in the longer durée of archaeological time.</div>
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So I am very much looking forward to <a href="http://eaavilnius2016.lt/" target="_blank">this years' EAA meeting</a>, which is coming up in a few weeks. Indeed there is a special session on Brexit and its implications for European archaeology, which will be fascinating. This is a critical time for engagement with European and global colleagues, to refresh existing networks and create new ones.<br />
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What is done is done. This is not a time for regrets, it is a moment to create and enjoy new opportunities. When nothing is certain, anything is possible.</div>
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Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-15809119284758230822016-07-16T19:56:00.000+00:002018-04-06T09:19:15.287+00:00The EU referendum and UK cultural heritageIt has been a turbulent few weeks, politically, personally and professionally, and only now have I found the time to reflect on one of the most momentous political upheavals of my lifetime.<br />
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On 23rd June 2016 a referendum was held in the UK, which asked whether voters wanted to 'remain' or 'leave' the European Union. The referendum was a consequence of a manifesto commitment by the Conservative Party which had not expected to win the 2015 General Election, and had been made to appease a minority of its backbench MPs. Like many colleagues I went through a 'grieving' process - utter disbelief, followed by depression and anger.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Flags outside the Welsh Government buildings in Aberystwyth, on 12th May 2016.</i></span></div>
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Friends will know that I am a passionate enthusiast for European unity. I see the EU as the best mechanism for maintaining peace, equality and prosperity across most of a continent which has been in almost continual warfare for all but the most recent 70 of more than 3,000 years. I welcome open borders, and I am happy that a small part of my taxes goes to support citizens in other EU countries. In my lifetime the existence of the EU has helped Spain, Portugal and Greece to emerge from fascist dictatorships, and has helped large parts of eastern Europe to emerge from behind an 'iron curtain'. 28 democracies working together - not always in agreement, certainly, but working together constructively.<br />
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Archaeology does not respect modern national borders. Indeed it is only relatively recently that the British archipelago was separated from the mainland. Whilst there is no doubt that co-operation will continue with European colleagues, there will be some very serious impacts in archaeology and cultural heritage which are deeply regrettable.<br />
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Firstly, academic colleagues will lose an enormous amount of funding, and it will be much more difficult to co-operate internationally. Already long-term projects with European funding and EU partners are under threat. There is a danger of increasing insularity, isolationism and ultimately the marginalisation of UK academia.<br />
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Secondly, with arts and cultural heritage funding already very much at the bottom of the list of priorities for any UK government - particularly the current one - a diminution of funding in particular areas threatens those of us who depend to a greater or lesser extent on public funding. Wales receives a large subsidy from the EU; when that money is no longer available then other budgets - such as heritage - will be cut to make up for the loss in areas such as health, infrastructure and employment.<br />
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Thirdly, the uncertainty during the period between the referendum and the eventual moment of leaving will create at best economic stagnation, and at worst a deep recession. Archaeological colleagues whose funding relies largely on the construction industry - whether it is housebuilding, industrial expansion or infrastructure - will also suffer.<br />
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It is less than a month since the referendum, and the political situation is still unsettled. But the next few years are going to be tough for archaeology, and archaeologists, in the UK.<br />
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<br />Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-34897092532048023222016-04-27T09:53:00.000+00:002016-04-27T17:20:51.243+00:00Urbanisation: an interdisciplinary perspectiveIt has been a privilege to spend a few days in the beautiful lakeside city of Lausanne, at a <a href="https://wp.unil.ch/urbanisationbritishisles/" target="_blank">symposium on urbanisation in the British Isles</a>. This was a remarkable meeting of academic and professional linguists, historians, geographers, sociologists (and one archaeologist!).<br />
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Stepping out of my archaeological 'silo' was refreshing, and discussions from a range of perspectives about life in industrial urban spaces over the last 500 years were very illuminating.<br />
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<i style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Switzerland in the foreground, France in the background.</span></i></div>
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Organised by scholars in the department of linguistics at the <a href="http://www.unil.ch/index.html" target="_blank">University of Lausanne</a>, the symposium developed from their <a href="http://www.emergingstandards.eu/about/project-description/" target="_blank">'Emerging Standards' project which began in 2013</a>. This project aims to shed light on the 'complex processes that are involved in the emergence and development' of language - specifically the period <i>c</i>.1400-<i>c.</i>1700, using the written records of non-metropolitan England to trace the formalisation of English.<br />
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The symposium was a very brave venture into uncharted waters by scholars seeking the broadest possible context in which to situate their work, and as a result was a stimulating meeting.<br />
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The deliberately broad topic and date range gave everyone very free rein to describe their work and to discuss a variety of themes. Everyone agreed how refreshing it was to have a genuinely interdisciplinary experience - so often we use the phrase 'interdisciplinary' when we are really still in the comfort zone of our own specialism.</div>
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The programme is on the <a href="https://wp.unil.ch/urbanisationbritishisles/" target="_blank">symposium website</a>, along with abstracts.<br />
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Contributors explored the dark underbelly of Victorian London, the liguistic complexity of late-medieval England, the post-colonial geography of 1960s New Towns, the impact of new world urbanisation on rural Ireland, suburban house names in the nineteenth century, and the social life of park benches in contemporary London.<br />
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My own contribution was a slightly random paper providing an archaeological perspective on eighteenth- and nineteenth-century urbanisation in England, using Sheffield, Birmingham, the East Shropshire Coalfield and the Black Country as examples.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sheffield Canal Basin and the 'Sheaf Works', February 1992.</span></i></div>
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Despite the disparate range of perspectives, we all had a great deal more in common than perhaps we might have expected. And because of the disparate range of perspectives, we all learned a great deal from the understandings that emerge from different disciplinary developments.<br />
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The archaeological approach most obviously overlapped with historical geography, but linguistic scholars - working in a discipline which was the least familiar to me - are also mapping social geographies of time and place. There was a strong colonial/post-colonial narrative running through all of the papers which was particularly interesting.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Speakers at the symposium.</span></i></div>
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Discussions around the formal programme were - as is often the case - also illuminating: touching on present-day meanings of ethnicity, the politics of identity (and politics generally!), urban planning and civic engagement, and the role of academics in modern social and political discourse. It was interesting to observe that the pendulum swinging between archaeological 'theory' and 'practice' over the last couple of decades had been swinging very similarly in other disciplines too.</div>
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So, many thanks to <a href="http://anitaauer.emergingstandards.eu/" target="_blank">Anita Auer</a> and <a href="http://www.unil.ch/angl/marijevanhattum" target="_blank">Marije van Hattum</a> and their colleagues at the <a href="http://www.unil.ch/index.html" target="_blank">University of Lausanne</a>, and to all of the delegates for interesting conversations. Discussion is already continuing, publication is being planned, and a follow-up meeting would be very welcome. I have been inspired to look at my work in different ways, and this was a wonderful opportunity to provoke new ideas and directions.</div>
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Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-3285191860846395062016-03-21T19:03:00.000+00:002016-05-03T11:06:38.897+00:00Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016Today is an historic moment in the history of UK heritage legislation. After years of consultation, debate and political manoeuvering, the Historic Environment (Wales) Bill today received Royal assent and so has become law.<br />
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This picture - taken from the Twitter feed of Deputy Culture Minister Ken Skates - shows some of the people whose hard work has resulted in this important piece of legislation.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photograph from @WG_CultureMin on Twitter. Copyright probably Welsh Government.</i></span></div>
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As a relative newcomer to the historic environment scene in Wales, I have found the process of preparing the bill and consulting on it to be refreshingly open and honest. Many of us have had more than one opportunity to comment in detail about the provisions in the legislation. I would have preferred stronger mechanisms to deal with damage to Scheduled Monuments, but - given the complex political circumstances, and the fact that the Act seeks to modify existing legislation - the Act is to be welcomed.<br />
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The full text of the Act can be found on the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2016/4/contents/enacted" target="_blank">'legislation.gov.uk' website</a>; and more detail about the process of the creation of the Bill, some of the background and key changes are <a href="http://senedd.assembly.wales/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=12573" target="_blank">available on the Welsh Government website</a>.<br />
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For me the Act brings about two main improvements.<br />
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Firstly - for the first time in the UK, and almost certainly the world - it is a statutory duty for Welsh Ministers to maintain an Historic Environment Record (HER). Placing the duty on Welsh Ministers rather than local authorities (as was originally intended) gives greater solidity to the present system in Wales, and is certainly a much better position than the rest of the UK<br />
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Secondly the powers of Welsh Ministers - exercised through Cadw and to some extent sometimes discharged through the Welsh Archaeological Trusts - to stop unauthorised works to Scheduled Monuments, and to compel owners to rectify the damage (as well as enabling access without permission) have been increased. Whilst the full 'defence of ignorance' which was a feature of the 1979 Act has not been eliminated entirely, the new Welsh Act certainly makes it more difficult.<br />
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It will be interesting to see how the divergence between English and Welsh systems which this Act represents will actually manifest itself on the ground on monuments that are both in England and Wales - such as Offa's Dyke, for example.<br />
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It is of course early days. Some provisions of the Act won't come into force for a while, and much of the underlying regulations and guidance are still in preparation. Nevertheless this is a positive piece of legislation which reinforces the role of the Welsh Archaeological Trusts, and places the historic environment in an important position in Welsh cultural life.<br />
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<br />Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-57771436937578528432015-11-29T14:58:00.000+00:002016-04-26T15:40:52.834+00:00Some thoughts on corporate governanceI have been thinking a lot lately about corporate governance in the heritage sector, and particularly how relationships between non-executive directors (the Board) and the executive (CEO and others) are managed.<br />
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This stems from my current roles on both sides of that particular fence - firstly in my day job as the executive Director (ie. CEO) of the <a href="http://www.cpat.org.uk/" target="_blank">Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust</a> (CPAT), and secondly as a non-executive director (ie. Board member) of both the <a href="https://www.bclm.co.uk/" target="_blank">Black Country Living Museum</a> (BCLM) and the <a href="http://www.archaeologists.net/" target="_blank">Chartered Institute for Archaeologists</a> (CIfA).</div>
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The trick is to strike the balance between having the support and advice of the Board, without micro-management. The Board also need to have a long-term strategic vision, and each member of the Board needs to have as wide a perspective as possible on the issues facing the organisation.</div>
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There are two things which need to be in place to make it work well: people and protocols.</div>
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Firstly, it is important to have a range of people on the Board whose experience is not entirely from within the sector within which the organisation operates. It is clear from recent events that the Boards of some charities have not worked as they should have done, and I suspect that in the cultural heritage sector we could do with improving the ways in which business is done.</div>
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Past and current experience is that archaeological organisations in particular tend to draw from a very narrow pool of people. The same can also be true in the museum sector, and perhaps elsewhere. This may not matter so much in the context of a learned society - where in fact focussed expertise from the discipline or sub-discipline is arguably more important - but even there the value of an outside perspective is perhaps under-rated.</div>
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Recent recruitment to the BCLM Board, for example, has been through an open and transparent process. Gaps in the skill set of the Board have been identified and a selection panel manages the recruitment of new members. This has resulted in a transformation of the Board in recent years - former members had been very long-serving, and some posts were 'institutional' ones. Some of these worked very well, but others were occupied by disinterested individuals who weren't willing or able to contribute to the strategic development of the organisation. Now we have a diverse board of people with a general heritage background, people from other independent museums, people from the broader arts and cultural sector, and people from business and industry in the region. We are still bedding down as a 'team' but every meeting is extremely interesting and I think we all feel that - whatever our background - we are making a valued contribution to the governance of this very successful educational charity and visitor attraction.</div>
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Secondly, protocols are important. Lines need to be drawn so that the CEO feels supported and respected, and not undermined by the Board in day-to-day decision-making.</div>
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Here the example of the CIfA Board is worth noting. At a recent special Board meeting we received governance training from <a href="http://www.bris.ac.uk/efm/people/1045/index.html" target="_blank">Andy Friedman</a> of the <a href="http://www.parnglobal.com/" target="_blank">Professional Associations Research Network</a>. This was extremely valuable, and we followed this with a session which roughed out a 'responsibilities protocol'. We all broadly agreed where most of the lines should be drawn. Things like the long-term strategic plan and the financial plan should be designed by the executive but approved (and monitored) by the Board, whereas the Board itself should be responsible for setting pay and health and safety.</div>
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The CIfA Board (like my own Board at CPAT) is at the moment drawn entirely from within the profession, but I think we have recognised the need to at least consider widening the membership.</div>
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I think that there is a great deal that the cultural heritage sector, and particularly those organisations who are charities, could learn a lot from the experience of our counterparts in the for-profit world. Sure, there have been some high-profile failures (notably in banking and finance) but - in the Anglo-Saxon world at least - corporate governance in the private sector seems to be robust and efficient.</div>
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At the moment I have to admit that the governance of CPAT falls short of best practice, but valuable lessons on how it can be improved are being learned.</div>
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Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-84969381452948428832015-02-01T18:39:00.004+00:002016-06-24T20:16:42.623+00:00Escaping fascism: my family's experienceHaving recently moved house (again), all sorts of long-forgotten things are surfacing from boxes. This includes some family history. Today (1st February) would have been my late grandmother's 101st birthday. She led a fascinating life as one of four daughters of an expatriate British-Canadian oil prospector, growing up mostly in Romania but with periods of education in Turkey, Germany and Scotland - qualifying as a medical doctor in the 1930s. A remarkable woman; here she is in Romania in 1923 (aged 19).<br />
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One of the very interesting recently rediscovered documents is an account by her father (my great-grandfather) of his escape in 1940 from the Nazi invasion of Romania. It is a short typescript, and a remarkable insight into a world that is now completely lost - as well as an interesting journey that would not now be possible.<br />
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Leaving Constanta on 23rd October 1940, they travelled by steamer to Istanbul, then by train to Baghdad (via Aleppo and Mosul - 'we arrived in Mosul about 12 in the night where we were received by the British Committee who served us a very nice tea with sandwiches and cigarettes'). After refreshments in Baghdad (provided by 'a gentleman, Mr. Matheson, a bank manager') they took the overnight 'desert sleeper' train to Basrah, where they were hosted by the British Consul. Another steamer took them down the river past miles of date plantations, stopping at Bahrain to collect American oil workers and their families ('and also two very rich Arab pearl merchants'), arriving in Karachi on 21st December.<br />
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'Karachi is the capital of the Sind Province of India [<em>it is now of course in Pakistan</em>]. We went on shore and had tea and bought some tobacco. We left Karachi on 22nd December and spent Christmas on board the "Varela".'<br />
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Arriving in Bombay on 26th December they were met by the 'Committee of the McKereth Organisation for the Balkan Evacuees'. They stayed there for a couple of weeks and then went to a camp at Satara by train, where they spent the best part of five months, 'during which there were pleasant, but more unpleasant moments ... the food was wholesome and sufficient, but one must get used to the food of India.'<br />
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They then went by train and bus - 'a very tedious journey of four days' - to Naini Tal, where they were 'received by Officials and transported by "dandies" (a sort of chair carried by four coolies) to a big bungalow on the top of the hill'. This was one of several temporary accommodations whilst in India, before returning to the UK later in the war.<br />
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This is a map of the journey.<br />
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<iframe height="480" src="https://mapsengine.google.com/map/embed?mid=zFQp8Puz-xWk.kXgIhQkgBFl0" width="640"></iframe>
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I hadn't mapped this before. For me the whole account and episode is very interesting for several reasons.<br />
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Firstly: although there were clearly hardships on the journey this appears to have been a well-resourced and at times relatively leisurely middle-class retreat through largely British-held (or at least British-friendly) territory, facilitated by officialdom. Some luggage needed to be left behind at various places, and several aspects of accommodation and transport were evidently distressing; their house in Constanta and possessions left there were subsequently destroyed. Nevertheless it doesn't really compare with so many harrowing accounts of others' escapes from fascism in other parts of Europe at the same time.<br />
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Secondly: I am astonished that train/bus travel was sufficiently efficient in 1940 to enable land transport from Istanbul to Basrah in only four days. Would that be possible today?<br />
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Thirdly: this is a journey I would love to retrace, partly because it passes through so many places of enormous historical and archaeological significance, as well as for its genealogical interest. Sadly there is no longer a ferry from Constanta to Istanbul. This is the least of the problems, however. For, despite the fact that - just like my great-grandfather - I have a passport which declares that 'Her Britannic Majesty requires and requests all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely etc. etc. etc.' I suspect that just at the moment Her Majesty's word is not particularly highly regarded in places such as Aleppo, Mosul, Baghdad and Basrah.<br />
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More importantly, the situation in the various regions through which my great-grandfather passed in 1940 is massively and utterly horrific for the millions of people who have been affected - in many cases disastrously and catastrophically so - by the whole sequence of events in the last couple of decades. Certainly some of the outcomes are the result of UK foreign policy (which of course has its origins in the protection of the British interests which my family were helping to pursue at the time), but UK foreign policy is only one of a number of factors here.<br />
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The answer is not, of course, a return to British imperialism. I don't know what the answer is. The situation is massively complex. But part of that answer must involve dialogue and mutual respect.<br />
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Islam is a beautiful and compassionate religion; so is Christianity. Together with Judaism were are all fruits of the same Abrahamic seed. Fascism can root itself perniciously within any of those religious contexts, and it is to be regretted when it does so - whether it is the Crusades, Nazism, aggressive Zionism, or the 'Islamic State'.<br />
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I still hope to be able to retrace this journey in my lifetime. Meanwhile my thoughts are with those in Aleppo, Mosul, Baghdad, Basrah and elsewhere whose hopes and dreams and lives are shattered by fascists from whom there is no avenue for escape.<br />
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<br />Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16975335.post-3418636452119778062014-03-12T17:37:00.000+00:002019-11-18T16:53:55.573+00:00Tŷ-uchaf: a post-medieval farm complex near LlangynogI <a href="http://paulbelford.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/tyuchaf1.html" target="_blank">posted about this project</a> last month when it was very much in the early stages. Last week the team finished fieldwork there, and are now busy dealing with post-excavation tasks (when other projects permit!). This very interesting project has revealed a great deal about the evolution of the post-medieval farmhouse and associated complex.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ub_QU_HTr_j42FB5atjOryy5dTVqxNLOHKycHPC_9nnEJMXyZdPJcx56RxzHtfd_wqB7rwEtAjA3H4hJbo1jDc68wt2_qwb6VvgXskfaZAYglOPNi4prF3pTcDv3IV70KLJ0/s1600/tyuchaf2-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ub_QU_HTr_j42FB5atjOryy5dTVqxNLOHKycHPC_9nnEJMXyZdPJcx56RxzHtfd_wqB7rwEtAjA3H4hJbo1jDc68wt2_qwb6VvgXskfaZAYglOPNi4prF3pTcDv3IV70KLJ0/s1600/tyuchaf2-01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The floor of the byre. Photograph copyright CPAT.</span></i></div>
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The earliest of the more-or-less extant buildings were known to date from the mid-seventeenth century; the date 1665 had been carved on the stone lintel of one of the upstairs windows. The form of this phase suggested the possibility that this was the remodelling of an earlier house. However we found no evidence for any earlier buildings on the site, despite vigorous investigation beneath the post-medieval floor levels. Instead it appears to have been built new on fairly conservative lines.</div>
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The associated complex had its origins in the seventeenth century, but was enlarged and modified in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The byre (shown above) was subdivided and partly repaved at least once. In addition, the surrounding landscape shows evidence of partible inheritance; Tŷ-uchaf was one of three holdings in Cwm Llech whose small fields were divided between several descendants during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.</div>
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The extent of clearance done by the CPAT team over the last four weeks is impressive, and this has of course gone alongside the conservation of the structure itself. Last year the lintel of the main chimney collapsed, and this needed to be at least temporarily repaired before we could begin work. These two photographs show 'before' and 'after', albeit from different angles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgi3ylSFvj99BqwVmhKhyphenhyphenHA7WPAE3VIhnjw5_Ke5Hacel-cogfps7cgXZpuAtJ3uj-jypi_L5UncIVOAELwkSYyqQGuBdOVz-_QuYDcyWFmCcL1DO6nJStlQKqSaDV1obw9ZI/s1600/tyuchaf2-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgi3ylSFvj99BqwVmhKhyphenhyphenHA7WPAE3VIhnjw5_Ke5Hacel-cogfps7cgXZpuAtJ3uj-jypi_L5UncIVOAELwkSYyqQGuBdOVz-_QuYDcyWFmCcL1DO6nJStlQKqSaDV1obw9ZI/s1600/tyuchaf2-06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The fireplace in 2013, before consolidation of the structure and rubble clearance. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">View looking east. Photograph copyright CPAT.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The cobbled floor in the main house; note the bread oven in the fireplace. View looking south-west.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">For another view of the same floor before cleaning, please see the <a href="http://paulbelford.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/tyuchaf1.html" target="_blank">earlier post</a>. Photograph copyright CPAT.</span></i></div>
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The house is interesting for its association with a local poet, <a href="http://wbo.llgc.org.uk/en/s-ROBE-CAD-1708.html" target="_blank">Cadwaladr Roberts</a>, for whom Tŷ-uchaf is said to have been built in the 1660s. Roberts died in 1708/9; the photograph below shows his grave marker in the churchyard at Pennant.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymrNcJOwCFxHRVgxFN9-jSdiuKXx3U7wibzCZpAGmvf8vROY9p9bLQq1-2V7r1TBk384GfwuneCWgx4Q-2jvoErdMq05NSWCcU1HTnIgJDcEYM6_UJRgsnLYm0dfaegA7iDeE/s1600/tyuchaf2-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymrNcJOwCFxHRVgxFN9-jSdiuKXx3U7wibzCZpAGmvf8vROY9p9bLQq1-2V7r1TBk384GfwuneCWgx4Q-2jvoErdMq05NSWCcU1HTnIgJDcEYM6_UJRgsnLYm0dfaegA7iDeE/s1600/tyuchaf2-05.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photograph copyright CPAT.</span></i></div>
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A full report will be posted on the CPAT website shortly, and we hope to be back at this site later in 2014 as the conservation and restoration project continues.<br />
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Meanwhile we have just begun another project where below-ground 'archaeology' and above-ground 'buildings' are being dealt with together as part of an ambitious conservation scheme. More about this next week...<br />
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<br />Paul Belfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00102339409459189239noreply@blogger.com0