Participating in the Past: Non-Developer Funded Excavations

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6.13 Non-Developer Funded Excavations

There are a number of excavations in the UK – training and otherwise – which seek volunteers and which are not being run within a commercial framework. Opportunities to join are well advertised. However, as noted previously, there is public demand for further opportunities and failure to meet this demand suggests that a number of young people and others are lost to the discipline as is much potential goodwill.

It is not suggested that excavations be run irrespective of the cost to the heritage simply to meet a demand, but the present situation is unsatisfactory. If the suggestions made above for increasing public participation in commercial work are followed, some of this demand can be met, but other opportunities are still required. In particular there may well be scope for more locally-based excavations, providing that suitably qualified individuals can be found to lead them. On occasion such work might fit well into regional research frameworks. It is suggested that the profession should be more pro-active in identifying and supporting local work.

  • Recommendation 31: Local authority archaeologists should, provide active assistance in identifying locations for local investigation which would match the experience of local groups, and where possible offer support and guidance.
  • Recommendation 32: Archaeological contractors, particularly those organisations which are set up as trusts, should offer to ‘sponsor’ local projects in their area by providing a level of professional support.
  • Recommendation 33: The CBA, in conjunction with the IFA, should publish guidance on what is involved in running a small excavation.
  • Recommendation 34: Local groups should consider seeking sponsorship opportunities but ensure they have in place adequate professional support.
  • Recommendation 35: Grant giving bodies such as The Society of Antiquaries of London and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, the Royal Archaeological Institute and The British Academy, should consider attaching conditions to fieldwork grants in the UK, requiring a level of direct participation from members of the local community.
  • Recommendation 36: The CBA should convene a meeting of relevant bodies to focus on ways of promoting increased community involvement in excavation.
  • Recommendation 37: English Heritage, Cadw and Historic Scotland should consider sponsoring regional community research excavations projects based on regional research frameworks.