The purpose of this annual review of archaeological activities within English Heritage (EH) is to integrate the work of a number of separate functional groups within the organisation, all of whom deal with archaeological issues and to focus attention on the development of policies and issues over the twelve month period in question. These policies are reflected in the work of our statutory Ancient Monuments Advisory Committee whose advice is sought on all matters of substance relating to archaeological policy. In July 1996, Sir David Wilson was replaced as Chair of that Committee by Professor Richard Morris. Sir David has made an invaluable contribution to EH in general and to its archaeological work in particular and this was warmly acknowledged in the many tributes he deservedly received.
The cornerstone of EH's conservation policies are its scheduling and listing programmes. The Monuments Protection Programme (MPP) is a comprehensive review and evaluation of England's archaeological resource, designed to collect information which will enhance the conservation, management, and public appreciation of the archaeological heritage. In December 1996, a guide to the first ten years of the Programme was published ("The Monuments Protection Programme 1986-96 in retrospect.") It summarizes the history of the programme, describes its aims and initiatives, and outlines progress to date. It also provides information on the products of its work and their current availability. The document also re-examines the overall priorities and outlines new strategic directions and objectives. These will include a greater emphasis on the need to publish results and to offer more strategic guidance on monument management and protection.
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Although poorly understood, the archaeology of our coast and the inter-tidal zone is recognised as being of extremely high potential. It includes inundated landscapes which may contain archaeological sites in a better state of preservation than their terrestrial counterparts, important palaeo-environmental deposits; a variety of chronological indicators for historic sea-level rise, and a wide range of archaeological sites which are specific to the coastal environment. These remains can be located in environments which are now terrestrial, inter-tidal, or sub-tidal, and coastal historic landscapes may extend seamlessly from dry land to the sea-bed. Over the past decade or so, EH has sponsored a number of coastal studies and has focussed particular attention on the archaeology of the inter-tidal zone. This work has underlined both the importance of inter-tidal remains and their fragility and vulnerability to erosion and other pressures.
During 1994 - 95, EH and the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (RCHME) jointly sponsored a desk-based assessment of coastal archaeology from the Universities of Reading and Southampton. A joint policy statement on the management of coastal archaeology, which summarized the results of the survey "England's coastal heritage: a statement on the management of coastal archaeology" was published in June 1996. The statement was intended to inform and influence coastal managers and planners. It has been well received and has made an important contribution to raising the profile of archaeological management issues along the coast. The full results of the survey were subsequently published in 1997 as "England's Coastal Heritage: a survey for EH and the RCHME," M Fulford, T Champion and A Long eds, E H Archaeol rep 15.
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Since 1990, the structure and organisation of archaeological activity in England has undergone a number of major changes marked in particular by the implementation of "Planning Policy Guidance Note 16: Archaeology and Planning" DoE, 1990 (PPG-16), together with concomitant changes to the pattern of archaeological funding and by EH's statement of research strategies as defined in "Exploring our past: strategies for the archaeology of England" (1991). The recent publication of Frameworks for our Past (1996) sets the scene for widespread debate in the discipline concerning the development of national, regional, and local research frameworks.
"Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the historic environment," DoE, 1994 (PPG-15) is likely to have a major impact on the organisation and funding of building recording and further significant changes to the discipline are also likely to result from the application of some National Lottery funds to aspects of archaeology and a more widespread use of European Community funds. The pattern of EH funding for archaeology has changed and the role of EH is also developing and evolving to meet these new challenges.
We see the support of professional infra-structure and skills as an important area for future development. It fits well with our role as a strategic body advising government, local authorities, and the profession, and is regarded as essential by many because the survey published as Frameworks for our Past identified a sense of isolation and fragmentation within the discipline and underlined the need for us to formulate opinions and strategies in support of the archaeological community. Currently, we fund training courses in association with other bodies - the Institute of Field Archaeologists and the Association of Local Government Archaeology Officers - on matters of mutual concern. We also fund conferences related to specific issues and have produced specialist reports on Prehistoric, Roman, and Medieval pottery as well as case studentships at Lancaster and Southampton Universities. The success of our discipline depends on the vibrancy of professional bodies and we have supported core staff in the Institute of Field Archaeologists and the Association of Local Government Archaeology Officers as well as funding a survey of archaeological provision in local authorities with the Association of Local Government Archaeology Officers.
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In 1991, EH published "Exploring our past: strategies for the archaeology of England", anticipating the changing pattern of funding that would develop out of the implementation of PPG-16. This document was drawn from extensive consultation within the profession and identified a number of areas of archaeological activity that were considered to merit special attention. As such, it contained a mix of strategies, ranging from very specific chronological or thematic study areas to very broad goals relating to managing the resource. It also addressed landscape types meriting attention and broader conceptual issues. The framework provided by "Exploring our Past" was used to guide EH's project funding from 1991, with significant funding following many of the major issues identified. It was also used to direct internal programmes of work. Some of the goals are substantially underway and these include the first census of archaeological sites in England (the Monuments at Risk Survey); surveys in towns, as in the Urban Archaeological Database and Extensive Urban Strategy programmes; and surveys of the coastal mires of the north-west and the blanket mires of the Humber. Many other topics have received considerable resources; a few have yet to be explored. As a means of focusing debate on resource allocation and directing resources towards specific issues, "Exploring our past" has achieved its goals. There are, however, problems in implementing some of the strategies, and changes in the profession and patterns of funding in the six years since it was published necessitate a fresh approach. We have therefore prepared a Research Agenda for discussion within the discipline. Not only will this be used to direct our own efforts and funding but we hope that it will be useful to others who may also be considering their future policies.
In July 1995, the Ancient Monuments Laboratory rejoined the Archaeology Division and the opportunity is being taken during 1996 to review the activities of the Archaeology Division and to clarify its future role, both within EH and externally. EH is seen by many in the wider archaeological community as the national lead organisation for the development of archaeological policy. We are regarded too as the national centre of expertise, funding, and services. The review has therefore necessarily examined our relationship with the archaeological community, the extent to which we are sufficiently sensitive to its needs, and whether we might be able to use our resources in a different way to provide a clearer lead or service for it. The review will be concluded during 1997.