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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 PPG-16 (Planning Policy Guidance Note 16: Archaeology and Planning) together with concomitant changes to the pattern of archaeological funding, and by English Heritage's statement of research strategies as defined in Exploring our past (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. PPG-15 (Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the historic environment) 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 English Heritage funding for archaeology has changed, and the role of English Heritage is also developing and evolving to meet these new challenges.
In 1991, English Heritage 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. EoP 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 through to very broad goals relating to managing the resource. It also addressed landscape types meriting attention and broader conceptual issues. EoP was used to guide English Heritage'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 survival assessment programme which has made a major start in MARS; 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, EoP has achieved its goals.
There are, however, problems in implementing some of the strategies outlined in EoP 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 profession. We welcome comments on the draft and ideas which may be considered for incorporating in the final version. Not only will the document 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.
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Please return your comments, to Tim Williams, at the following address, by 1 September, 1997.
Tim Williams,
English Heritage
Room 522,
23 Savile Row,
London W1X 1AB
email tim@eng-h.gov.uk
