Participating in the Past: Appendix 3 – The Text of the Survey Enquiry Letter

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Appendix 3: The Text of the Survey Enquiry Letter

The CBA is undertaking a short examination of the current extent of public participation in British archaeology. This builds on the ‘stakeholder participation’ study to which many CBA organisational member groups so helpfully contributed in 2001.

The new study is prompted by a perception that although there is enormous public interest in archaeology in all its forms – and a great deal going on, the full potential of the enthusiasm which has been generated for the subject is not being utilised and there is some disenchantment.

A Public Participation Working Party has been established which includes the following individuals:

  • Don Benson (CBA trustee)
  • Tony Blackman (CBA trustee)
  • Mike Farley (CBA trustee and convener)
  • Jill Harden (National Trust for Scotland)
  • Mike Rumbold or Kevan Fadden (Council for Independent Archaeology)
  • Tim Schadla Hall (University College, London)
  • Adrian Tindall (ALGAO and Chair CBA North-West)

A general survey was undertaken in late 2002 to inform the deliberations of the Working Party. There was no complex form to complete and comments of all kind were welcome, however we asked if they could be supplied under the following four headings:

  1. Please provide examples of good practice in public participation in archaeology. These may be things you have initiated yourself or be things initiated by others which you recommend. If available, it would be helpful if you could provide references to any documentation, or e.g. any web addresses. Please do not send paper copies at this stage.
  2. What do you consider are the principal barriers to increasing public participation in archaeology in all its forms?
  3. Suggest realistic ways of reducing these barriers
  4. Are there any related issues you would wish the working party to address or other observations you would like to make?

We anticipated that some organisations and individuals would wish to submit comments specifically on the subject of excavation archaeology, but made it clear that observations would be welcomed on public participation in all aspects of the historic environment.

The intent is to produce, in September 2003, a brief summary of the results of the survey for general information, with suggestions for improvements where these are found to be necessary. The results of the whole, including all the submitted comment, will be published on the CBA’s website at http://www.britarch.ac.uk/participation.

Michael Farley (convener)