Archaeology continues to play a central role in the work of English Heritage in securing the best protection, care, and use of the historic environment, and at the same time contributes significantly to the understanding and enjoyment of our heritage. The importance of this vital role is reflected in the substantial proportion of our budget that is devoted to archaeological work, including the investigation of sites and buildings by survey, the excavation of buried remains, and the archaeological analyses of standing structures, as well as the interpretation of such work, and the publication of the results. We also commission and carry out a wide range of strategic studies and reviews to inform future policy.
Commissioned archaeology projects comprise the major component of this varied programme, and include a wide range of different categories of work: project design, evaluation, recording, assessment and analytical projects (all conducted within the framework outlined in The management of archaeology projects, 2nd edition, published in 1990, and often, but not exclusively, related to the excavation and recording of archaeological sites), resource reviews and survey projects, projects related to our urban intensive and extensive strategies, support for local authority sites and monuments records and associated development control work, Farm Survey Grants, and support for professional infrastructure. Significant resource is also devoted to programmes of archaeological work carried out by the Ancient Monuments Laboratory and the Central Archaeology Service. The Monuments Protection Programme, designed to protect a representative sample of archaeological sites in England, is a major element of our work, and the provision of funding for the Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service is also accorded a high priority. Archaeological work is carried out at properties in the direct care of English Heritage, and resources are also allocated to the archaeological and analytical recording of buildings and monuments in relation to repair programmes. In addition to the direct funding of all forms of archaeological projects, support is also necessary to ensure that essential related work is also fully supported. This includes publication grants for the production of reports on work previously funded by the Department of the Environment or by English Heritage, storage grants to house archives, and the employment of archaeological consultants to provide specialist advice as required.
Table 1: Summary of the allocation of financial resources
Activity Archaeology Projects Ancient Monuments Laboratory including contracts Central Archaeology Service Monuments Protection Programme Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service Historic Properties Department archaeological recording Historic Advice and Research Team Conservation Department archaeological recording Publication Grants Storage Grants Consultants and fees Total