Update to "Our Portable Past"

An updated version of Our Portable Past, the English Heritage statement on good practice for portable antiquities, is now available from the English Heritage website. This amended edition of the statement includes greater emphasis on post-fieldwork processes, including archiving and documentation and more information on project development and the integration of various techniques. Free download from English Heritage website:   Our Portable Past | PDF | 1.00 MB

This amended statement of good practice sets out the approaches and standards related to portable antiquities that English Heritage will apply to work on designated and registered sites, projects that it funds, and work that it undertakes directly. In the context of this statement 'portable antiquities' in a land-based context covers all surface-collected archaeological material and all seabed material that has been separated from its original context. As the lead body for the historic environment English Heritage recognises the important contribution that portable antiquities of all types, including metal-detected material, can make to increasing our understanding of the past. However it also recognises that potentially serious negative impacts can result from the unstructured collection and recording of material. English Heritage also recommends the statement as a suitable model to follow, in whole or in part, for organisations that fund or authorise archaeological projects, and for land managers and individuals involved in giving consent for projects whatever the legal status of the site or sites involved. This amended edition of the statement includes greater emphasis on post-fieldwork processes, including archiving and documentation and more information on project development and integration of techniques.

It is nice to see that last bit, as I was among those arguing that the topic was grossly neglected in earlier efforts to formulate best practice. This version certainly has several other significant changes when compared to the previous version (including some more usefully-nuanced definitions - for example 'archive'). In general, it takes a stronger stance on so-called responsible (hobby) metal detecting of archaeological sites, which I am hoping suggests a certain (but seriously belated) impatience with the failed promise of the PAS as a means of instilling "best practice".  Roll on a third edition, with NO pussy-footing around the real issues.