Value from Development-Led Archaeology in the UK: Advancing the Narrative to Reflect Societal Changes

Harald Fredheim,Sadie Watson

doi:10.3390/su14053053

Abstract

This paper explores how current challenges in the development-led system of archaeology in the UK are widely applicable elsewhere. Using the UK model, we explore the legislative and structural frameworks that enable archaeological work and the pressing need to better provide benefit for the wider public from that work. We believe that there is a focus on outputs rather than outcomes, which has perpetuated the idea that contracting archaeology is a product of development rather than a process that can instigate social value. We argue that the shift to public benefit and social value in UK policy should be encouraging practitioners operating within this industry to pay more attention to the links between their standard contracting practice and the benefits they deliver to people through their work. We explore why this could be a way of meeting policy priorities but also an opportunity to bridge the gaps between expert-identified heritage values and societal needs.

Highlights

Practitioners and professionals working in cultural heritage and archaeology in the UK tend to be suspicious of attempts to reorder the methods and metrics utilised during valorisation of the assets they engage with
A report from the European Archaeological Council (EAC) reminds us that very few archaeologists working in the regulatory sphere across Europe will consider the social impact of a development as part of their decision-making process about how the archaeology should be treated [39] (p. 18), with the inevitable result that archaeology becomes separated from any potential for increasing the social value of the development itself, or any role in providing value beyond the ‘archaeological’ value provided by the material remains themselves
Archaeology needs to look beyond traditional metrics and analysis to absorb external developments

Summary

Introduction

Practitioners and professionals working in cultural heritage and archaeology in the UK tend to be suspicious of attempts to reorder the methods and metrics utilised during valorisation of the assets they engage with This is probably largely due to perceived hard-won battles during previous legislative changes and a protective (defensive even) approach to maintaining the frameworks currently in operation for fear that major changes will loosen the regulatory expectations and reduce capacity for protection of the historic environment. This can be of particular concern when archaeology is due to be impacted prior to development and requires the design of a mitigation strategy, the default position in the UK legislative system. Sustainability 2022, 14, 3053 are specific opportunities with archaeology, given that this large resource of assets that are subject to change through excavation can provide significant public benefit during this process despite that fundamental change in their character

Archaeology and Development

External Influences

Reality Check

Opportunities

Findings

Conclusions