G.1 Organisations #

ACAOAssociation of County Archaeological Officers.
ADAOAssociation of District Archaeological Officers.
ADSArchaeology Data Service: provides services for the AHDS relating to digital resources that are created as a product of archaeological research, in collaboration with national and local agencies.
AGIAssociation for Geographical Information.
AHDSArts and Humanities Data Service: funded by the academic community to collect, catalogue and preserve digital data and distribute these for use in teaching and research.
ALGAO UKAssociation of Local Government Archaeological Officers.
ANSIAmerican National Standards Institute.
ARIAAssociation of Regional and Island Archaeologists. ARIA represented the most senior archaeologists employed by or for local planning authorities in Scotland , but in 2006 merged with colleagues from England and Wales to form ALGAO UK.
ASLIBAssociation for Information Management: promotes best practice in management of information resources.
ATFArchaeology Training Forum.
BECTABritish Education Communications and Training Agency.
BGSBritish Geological Survey
BIABBritish and Irish Archaeological Bibliography: an annual indexed list of archaeological publications for Great Britain and Ireland maintained by the CBA, with funding from national heritage agencies and others.
BTCVBritish Trust for Conservation Volunteers.
CadwCadw (Welsh for ‘to keep’) is the historic environment division within the Welsh Assembly Government with responsibility for protecting, conserving and promoting an appreciation of the historic environment of Wales.
CBACouncil for British Archaeology.
CCNCountryside Character Network.
CHNTOCultural Heritage National Training Organisation, formerly the MTI.
CIDOCComitte International pour la Documentation, Conseil International des Musees: the Documentation Committee of the International Council of Museums.
COSLAConvention of Scottish Local Authorities. COSLA is the representative voice of Scottish local government and also acts as the employer’s association on behalf of all Scottish Councils.
CREEContextual Resource Evaluation Environment consortium.
CSACouncil for Scottish Archaeology. The CSA is a voluntary membership organisation that works to secure the archaeological heritage of Scotland for its people through education, promotion and support.
CUCAPCambridge University Collection of Aerial Photrographs maintained by the Landscape Modelling Unit (formerly Cambridge University Committee on Aerial Photography): a body which has been involved in undertaking aerial-photographic surveys for archaeological and environmental research and management and which holds an important collection of air photographs.
CyMALMuseums Archives and Libraries Wales.
DCLGDepartment for Communities and Local Governement.
DCMSDepartment for Culture, Media and Sport.
DEFRADepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. DEFRA was created in June 2001 from the then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) and from the environmental and countryside business areas of the then Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR).
DETRDepartment of Environment, Transport and the Regions.
DoEDepartment of the Environment.
EACEuropae Archaeologiae Consilium
EEAEuropean Economic Area: includes all member states of the European Union plus some countries with associated status.
EECEuropean Economic Community.
ENGAGENational Association for Gallery Education.
ESRIGIS and mapping software supplier which produces the Arc suit of products.
EUEuropean Union.
English Heritage (EH)(The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission): the statutory body which achieves, enables and promotes conservation of the historic environment in England.
English NatureThe statutory body which achieves, enables and promotes nature conservation in England.
exeGesIS SDM LtdA commercial company which specialises in desktop mapping and text database solutions for conservation, environmental and local government organisations including the HER application HBSMR.
FISHForum on Information Standards in Heritage (formerly FISHEN): a working party established to decide on terminology and develop wordlists and thesauri to be used in association with the MIDAS units of information.
FWAGFarming and Wildlife Advisory Group.
GEMGroup for Education in Museums.
HECASHistoric Environment Advisory Council for Scotland.
HEAVSHistoric Environment Advsroy Council for Scotland. The Council provides independent strategic advice to Scottish Ministers on issues affecting the historic environment.
HEIRNETHistoric Environment Information Resources Network: a consortium of UK bodies hosted by the CBA seeking to co-ordinate inter-operability between information systems relating to the historic environment.
HER ForumHistoric Environment Records Forum, co-ordinated by English Heritage and ALGAO (and formerly named SMR Forum), is a discussion forum for HER professionals. Discussions are held through an e-mail discussion list and twice-yearly meetings. Its Newsletter HER News is now part of the Heritage Gateway.
Historic ScotlandHistoric Scotland is an Agency within the Scottish Executive Education Department and is directly responsible to Scottish Ministers for safeguarding the nation’s built heritage, and promoting its understandjng and enjoyment.
HLFHeritage Lottery Fund.
lcomosInternational Council on Monuments and Sites: the international body responsible for preparing reports on sites proposed for inclusion on the World Heritage list for consideration by the World Heritage Committee.
IfAInstitute for Archaeologists: is the professional organisation for archaeologists in the United Kingdom. It promotes professional standards and ethics for conserving, managing, understanding and promoting enjoyment of heritage.
IGGIInter Governmental Group on Geographic Information.
IHBCInstitute of Historic Building Conservation. IHBC is the professional institute which represents conservation professionals in the public and private sectors in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The Institute exists to establish the highest standards of conservation practice to support the effective protection and enhancement of the historic environment.
liPInvestors in People: the national standard for investing in all employees. It was drawn up after research into the UK's most successful organisations found common factors in their success: good communication, effective planning, and valuing every member of staff.
ISOInternational Standards Organisation.
LaMISLand Management Information Service.
LGALocal Government Association. The LGA promotes the interests of English and Welsh local authorities. It aims to put local councils at the heart of the drive to improve public services and to work with government to ensure that the policy, legislative and financial context in which they operate supports that objective.
LGMBLocal Government Management Board.
LSCLearning and Skills Council.The LSC is responsible for funding and planning education and training for over 16-year-olds in England
mdaA UK-wide organisation which supports the development and application of cultural information-management standards for museums and similar organisations (formerly the Museums Documentation Association).
MAFFMinistry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
MGCMuseums and Galleries Commission: the national body with responsibility for promoting standards in museums. The MGC was replaced by MLAC and then renamed Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries in April 2000.
MLAMuseums, Libraries and Archives Council: established to replace the former MGC on 1 April 2000 and immediately renamed Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, The name Resouce has since been droPped in favour of MLA. MLA is the strategic body working with and for museums, archives and libraries, tapping the potential for collaboration between them. The organisation replaces the Museums and Galleries Commission (MGC) and the Library and Information Commission (LIC) and now includes archives within its portfolio.
MODMinistry of Defence.
MSCManpower Services Commission: a government agency which funded programmes with the aim of giving work experience to people who had been unemployed for long periods of time. Many local government organisations ran MSC-funded schemes to capture information into SMRs.
MTIMuseums Training Institute, later CHNTO.
Natural EnglandNatural England brings together English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service.
NISONational Information Standards Organisation.
NMGWNational Museums and Galleries of Wales.
NMRENational Monuments Record (England) was a directorate within English Heritage established by the RCHME. The NMREs collections including aerial photographs, ground photographs of buildings and archaeological monuments, plans, sketches and drawings are now curated by The English Heritage Archive. The NMRs databases of monuments and events is now know as The National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE).
NMRSNational Monuments Record for Scotland.
NMRWNational Monuments Record (Wales)
NOFNew Opportunities Fund: one of the agencies established by the Government to distribute funds from the National Lottery.
NoSASNorth of Scotland Archaeological Service.
NRHENational Record of the Historic Environment, a database of monuments and recording events in England maintained by English Heritage and available online via the PastScape Website.
ODPMOffice of the Deputy Prime Minister, see DCLG.
OSOrdnance Survey.
OS Archaeology DivisionThe division of the Ordnance Survey, established by O G S Crawford in the 1930s, which identified and recorded archaeological sites and monuments for inclusion on Ordnance Survey maps.
OUCAOxford University Committee for Archaeology
Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS)Established by the DCMS with the British Museum to promote the recording of archaeological objects found by metal-detector users and others.
Public Record OfficeThe national organisation responsible for curating archive collections that include national government papers.
RAFRoyal Air Force: the RAF has been engaged in aerial photography and other remote-sensing techniques since its inception. In the ten years after World War II, the RAF undertook routine aerial-survey programmes to produce vertical photographs for use by the OS in mapmaking.
RCHMERoyal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England: the national body established by Royal Warrant in 1908 to compile a record of ancient and historical monuments in England and make recommendations concerning their preservation. In 1999, the RCHME was merged with English Heritage.
RCAHMSRoyal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.
RCAHMWRoyal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales.
RDARegional Development Agency.
ResourceResource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries: established as MLAC in April 2000 and later launched with a new name. This national body replaces the former MGC and takes on national responsibilities for libraries and archives. a second name change has since occurred and the organisation is now known as MLA.
RNIBRoyal National Institute for the Blind
RNIDRoyal National Institute for the Deaf
SCAUMStanding Conference of Archaeological Unit Managers.
SCONULSociety of College, National and University Libraries
SDDScottish Development Department
SMRSites and Monuments Record.
SMR Forum (Scotland)A forum formed in order to implement the recommendations of the Baker Report (1999) in Scotland’s 18 SMRs.
U3AUniversity of the Third Age
UNESCOUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation: a specialised agency of the UN which works to preserve our cultural heritage, bringing together those who can help all nations set the course towards co-operation, development and peace.
WGWelsh Government.
WATWelsh Archaeological Trusts.
WIWomens Institute.
WoSASWest of Scotland Archaeological Service.
XML UKUnited Kingdom Forum for Structured Information Standards
YACYoung Archaeologists Club.

G.2 Projects and information resources#

AIPArchaeological Investigations Project: an English Heritage funded project which monitors archaeological fieldwork generated through planning advice as a result of PPG 16.
Archive‘The documents created or received and accumulated by a person or organisation in the course of the conduct of affairs and preserved because of their long-term value’ (International Council on Archives).
Archwilio The website that gives on-line access to the Historic Environment Records of the Welsh Archaeological Trusts.
ARENAArchaeological Records of Europe Network Access: a project to search for archaeological sites and monuments from six European countries: UK, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Romania and Poland. The UK is represented in the project by the ADS.
ASPIREArchaeological Standard Protocol for the Integrated Reporting of Events (Scotland)
BARBritish Archaeological Reports.
BARBuildings at Risk. In England this is now part of HaR.
CANMAPA map enabled query system for Canmore.
CanmoreCanmore is the name given to the RCAHMS database. It contains details of c.250,000 archaeological sites, monuments, buildings and maritime sites in Scotland, together with an index to the drawings, manuscripts and photogrphs ion the NMRS collections. Images of some of the photographs or drawings in the collection are also available in Canmore. Searches can be made on name, location, site type or collection, or by using the Canmore mapping service, CANMAP.
CARN (Wales)Core Archaeological Record Index. CARN is being developed as the public entry point to the Extended National Database for Wales, a national information resource for archaeology and architecture compiled by archaeological organisations across Wales.
CISCountryside Information System
CofleinCoflein is the online databse for the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW) – the national collection of information about the historic environment of Wales. The name is derived from the Welsh cof (memory) and lein (line)
CORINELand cover data.
DOBCBA's Defence of Britain project.
EABEnvironmental Archaeology Bibliography.
ELCEuropean Landscape Convention
ELSEntrry Level Agri-Environment Scheme
ENDExtended National Database for Wales
Environmental recordRecords of the natural environment.
Environmental StewardshipIncludes Entry-level Scheme (ELS) and Higher Level Scheme (HLS) in England, Tir Cynnal and Tir Gofal (in Wales) and Rural Stewardhsip Scheme in Scotland. Environmental Stewardship schemes are agri-environment schemes which provide funding to farmers and other land managers who deliver effective environmental management on their land.
ESAEnvironmentaly Sensitive Area.
Excavation IndexEnglish Heritage's record of archaeological interventions in England maintained.
HaR Heritage at Risk
HBRHistoric Buildings Records: a name used for local-authority records providing an information-management tool for both listed buildings and other buildings of local and regional historical interest.
HELMHistoric Environment – Local Management./ HELM provides accessible information, training and guidance to decision makers in local authoritirs, regional agencies and national organisations whose actions affect the historic environment. Working with key partners, HELM aims to provide the tools to manage change in the historic environment with increased skill and confidence. English Heritage promotes the need for properly resourced and actively consulted historic environment departments, conservation officers, archaeologists and historic environment records. More than 40% of local authorities have now appointed historic environment champions to provide leadership on heritage issues.
HERHistoric Environment Record: a name used for records which provide an information-management tool for both archaeology and historic buildings.
HER NewsFormer newsletter of the HER Forum, published twice a year by English Heritage now part of the Heritage Gateway.
Heritage GatewayEnglish Heritage co-ordinates a partnership projrct with ALGAO and the IHBC to maintain a portal to local and national historic environment resources including the National Heritage List for England (NHLE), the National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) and local authority Historic Environment Records (HERs) by facilitating distributed searches to provide a rich and diverse experience to users wishing to explore England’s archaeological and architectural heritage.
HLAHistoric Landuse Assessment: an analysis of past and present land use in Scotland
HLAMAPHLAMAP is a web-based presentation of HLA data for Scotland that allows the user to view the data by Historic Land-use Type, Period or Category as well as by Relict Period and to print out a report of any selected area.
HLCHistoric landscape characterisation: English Heritage programme to inform landscape-conservation strategies in the context of planning and agricultural policies. It is aimed at ascertaining and presenting the historic character of the present day landscape, in a form which accurately represents the complexity of the evidence.
HLSHigher Level Agri-Environment Scheme.
HPRHeritage Protection Review.
IFPInforming the Future of the Past.
ILFAInspiring Learning For All: an MLA produced framework that enables the ways in which museums, archives and libraries engage users in learning to be examined and evaluated.
Images of EnglandImages of England is an EH, HLF funded project to put a photograph of every Listed Building on the internet
IRISAssociation for Industrial Archaeology's 'Index Record for Industrial Sites'.
ISBNInternational Standard Book Number.
LBSEnglish Heritage's Listed Building System: a computer database of the List of Buildings of special architectural or historical interest.
LCALandscape Character Assessment. (See also HLC above)
LCTLandscape Character Types
LHILocal Heritage Initiative: a national grant scheme funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Nationwide Building Society to help people care for their local landscape, landmarks and traditions. The national scheme followed Countryside Agency pilot projects, which ranged from lime-kilns to local histories, wildlife sites to walls and way marks.
MacaulayInstitute which researches the interactions between society and land use.
MAGICMulti-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside: this brings together spatial information form a number of key environmental schemes and designations from six government organisations. The MAGIC partners are: DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), English Heritage, Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Department for Communities and Local Government..
MARSMonuments at Risk Survey: funded by English Heritage and run by Bournemouth University.
MPPMonuments Protection Programme: an English heritage programme of site evaluation with the aim of adding to the schedule of nationally important Scheduled Monuments.
NARNational Archaeological Record: based on the card index developed by the OS's Archaeology Division, formerly maintained by the RCHME and later incorporated into the NRHE.
NLAPNational Library of Air Photographs: a collection of vertical and oblique aerial photographs providing complete national coverage of England. Maintained by the English Heritage Archive.
NMPNational Mapping Programme: an English Heritage project to map the archaeological resource known from aerial photography and to provide a more reliable framework for classifying and dating sites.
National Heritage DatasetsA series of computer-based records maintained by English Heritage, including: National Record Record of the Historic Environment and the National Heritage List for England.
OASISOn-line Access to the Index of Archaeological Interventions: a partnership project between English Heritage and the ADS funded by the Research Support Libraries Programme.
OGAROnline Guide to Archaeological Reasearch: maintained by the CBA.
PastmapA map enabled query system for Scottish National Archaeological and Architectural Datasets.
PastScapeOnline resource developed by English Heritage which provides an easy-to-use way to find information about many of England’s ancient and historical sites, buildings and monuments. The information within PastScape is taken directly from the National Record of the Historic Evironment. These records contain descriptions of any interesting archaeological details, pictures (where available) and links to maps and aerial photographs on other websites.
PLANARCHPlanning and Archaeology in North West Europe, european funded progect.
Research frameworksAn assessment of land use, settlement, environment, economy and society in a regional context which provide a framework for curation, decision-making and research.
RSLPReasearch Support Libraries Programme: a national initiative, funded by the four higher education funding bodies to bring together both forms of access to library information, with specific reference to support for research.
RSMRecord of Scheduled Monuments: maintained by English Heritage. An RSM number identifies a scheduled monument within that system.
SCAPEScottish Coastal Archaeology and the Problem of Erosion.
SCRANScottish Cultural Resources Access Network.
SMaR Scheduled Monuments at Risk in England, now part of HaR.
SWADScottish Wetland Archaeological Database.
Ty GofalAll Wales Agri-Environment Scheme.
TORCTraining Online Resource Centre.
UADUrban Archaeological Database.

G.3 Legislation and conservation measures#

AONBArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Conservation areaAn area of historical and architectural character whose boundaries have been designated in local plans. Local planning authorities have special planning powers covering these areas which aim to preserve and enhance their character.
Conservation planA plan produced by a local authority which identifies a conservation area and sets out plans for preserving and enhancing it. A Conservation Plan provides a single approach to understanding and managing the cultural significance of a place. It explains why a site is significant and how that significance will be retained in any future use, alteration, development or repair. The same approach can be used for historic gardens, landscapes, buildings, archaeological sites, collections or even a ship and is particularly relevant when a site has more than one type of heritage.
DCDevelopment Control.
DDADissabilities Discrimination Act: 1995 Act of Parliament seting out equal rights of the dissabled.
DPAData Protection Act: 1998 Act of Parliament setting out the obligations of the holders of personal data to the subjects of that data.
EIREnvironmental Information Regulations, 2004.
ELSEntry Level Agri-Environment Scheme.
ESAEnvironmentally Sensitive Area (designated by MAFF).
HLSHigher Level Agri-Environment Scheme.
FOIFreedom of Information Act, 2000.
HPRHeritage Protection Review
Listed buildingsBuildings of special architectural or historical interest included in the Lists published by the DCMS.
ListingThe process of identifying buildings of architectural or historical interest and publishing them on the Listed Buildings list.
NHLENational Heritage List for England: A list combining historic environment sesignations together comprising: listed buildings, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, registered battlefields, protected wrecks and World Heritage Sites.
NPPFNational Planning Policy Framework
NPPGNational Planning Policy Guideline (Scotland)
PaGSee Registered Parks and Gardens also used as short hand for the Parks and Gardens Registraion System.
PANPlanning Advice Note (Scotland)
Planning Practice Guidance A series of guidance notes produced by government to support the implementation of the NPPF. The guidance covers a range of topics from advertisements to waste and water supply. There is a specific guidance document on 'Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment'.
PPGPlanning Policy Guidance Note: a series of guidance notes issued by the DoE identifying issues to be taken into consideration by local planning authorities. (England)
PPG 15Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment, now replaced by the NPPF.
PPG 16Planning Policy Guidance Note 16: Archaeology and Planning, now replaced by the NPPF.
PPS5 Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment, this replaced PPGs 15 and 16 and has now been replaced itself by the NPPF.
Protected WreckThese are wreck sites in UK waters which have been identified and designated for protection by the DCMS.
Registered BattlefieldsA register of battlefields of special historical interest, to draw attention to the importance of these sites. For English battlefields it has been compiled by English Heritage.
Registered Parks and GardensA register of parks and gardens of special historical interest, to draw attention to the importance of these sites. For parks and gardens in England it has been compiled by English Heritage. Parks and Gardens dating from 1939 or earlier are included in the register and the gardens are graded (I, II* or II) to indicate their interest.
RHSBERegister of Historic Sites and Buildings of England, the new protection register proposed in HPR.
RIGSRegionally Important Geological Sites.
ROWRights of Way, footpaths and other routes along which members of the public have the right to pass.
RR(A)ARace Relations Amendment Act, 2000.
RSSRegional Spatial Strategy.
SAMScheduled Ancient Monument: Scotland and Wales (for Emgland see SM).
SDASex Discrimination Act, 1975.
SchedulingThe process of identifying, assessing, reviewing and recommending monuments to the Secretary of State fbr Culture, Media and Sport for the purpose of inclusion in the Schedule of Monuments. Scheduling of monuments in England is currently incorporated in the Monuments Protection Programme.
SMScheduled Monument (England), formerly Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM): a monument included in the Schedule of Monuments and protected under the terms of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. For Scotland and Wales see SAM.
SPPScotish Planning Policy: guidance issued by the Scottish Executive.
SSSISites of Special Scientific Interest.
Statutory instrumentAny designation to which the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 applies.
SEAStrategic Environment Assesment
TANTechnical Advice Note (Scotland): guidance produced by Historic Scotland.
Also Technical Advice Notes (Wales) which supplement "Planning Guidance (Wales): Planning Policy".
TPOTree Preservation Order.
Treasure ActThe 1996 Act that defines which finds or objects should be reported to local coroners as Treasure.
UDPUrban Development Plan (Wales).
WHSWorld Heritage Site: A site which is identified on the list of cultural and natural properties protected under the UNESCO Convention on World Heritage agreed by the World Heritage Committee.

G.4 General#

Adoption of the HERRefers to the adoption by a local authority of a HER as the information resource on which planning decisions concerning the archaeological environment will be based
AIfAAssociate member of the Institute for Archaeologists.
BestValueA national Government initiative which sets out a duty for local authorities 'to deliver services to clear standards, covering both cost and quality, by the most effective, economic and efficient means available' (IDEA 2000).
BVPIBest Value Performance Indicator.
Codes of PracticeGuidance notes issued by trade associations, professional associations and the like, regarding the conduct of their members.
CPAContinuous Performance Assessment
CPDContinuous Professional Development
Co-operation StatementA 1998 statement on behalf of the RCHME, ALGAO and English Heritage setting out the current position relating to SMRs and a shared vision for their future development (RCHME, ALGAO and English Heritage 1998).
HEIRSHistoric Environment Information Resources: organisations with information systems relating to archaeology and the historic environment.
HERHistoric Environment Record.
HWMHigh Water Mark.
Lead RoleRefers to the lead role in respect of HERs in England for national Government currently held by English Heritage.
LGRLocal Government Reorganisation.
MIfAMember of the Institute for Archaeologists.
NHPP National Heritage Protection Plan (England).
NOSNational Occupational Standards, form the basis of the Government's strategy for vocational qualifications and training.
PDPPersonal Development Plan
Public EnquiryA process in which evidence may be presented by members of the public and other parties to an official body for review and for their recommendations. The location of new developments (such as roads or airports) is an example of a subject which may go to public enquiry.
PIfAPractitioner member of the Institute for Archaeologists.
SMRSites and Monuments Record, now know as HERs particularly in England, some individual records still use the title SMR.
SMR Assessment ReportReport commissioned by ALGAO from David Baker, with funding from the RCHME, giving an assessment of the condition of SMRs in England in 1998 (Baker 1999a). David Baker produced Simillar reports for Scotland and Wales.
Walsh CommitteeThe 1968 Committee of Enquiry into the arrangements for the Protection of Field Monuments by County Planning Authorities.
Walsh reportThe report prepared by the Walsh Committee and published in 1969.

G.5 HER management#

Collecting policyA policy document which defines the physical material which it is within scope of the HER to collect, this should also include a policy for appropriate disposal of inappropriate material. This document is separate to the recording policy (see below).
Disaster planA plan which helps staff to react in the event of a disaster and to cope with the aftermath. The process identifies precautions to reduce the possibility of a disaster, procedures to meet immediate requirements in the event of a disaster and contingency plans for coping with the aftermath.
Forward planA management plan which takes stock of the current situation and sets out plans for the future.
Historic buildingsBuildings which are of national, regional and local historic interest, including listed buildings.
Pilot projectA project which is designed to test the effectiveness or potential of a particular approach.
Recording policyA policy document which defines the breadth and scope of the information recorded in the HER. This document is separate to the collecting policy (see above).
SLAService Level Agreement: an agreement between a client and a contractor that sets out agreed service levels, for example minimum response time, the number of hours of telephone support, replacement equipment, etc.
Strategic planA high-level planning document which sets out an organisation's overall aims and objectives for the next three to five years.

G.6 Planning advice#

Building assessmentA professional assessment of a built structure by an architectural historian, archaeologist or other specialist.
ConsultationRefers to requests for information and professional advice made by planning authorities, developers, Government agencies and curators.
CRMCultural Resource Management.
DACDiocesan Advisory Committee
Diocesan archaeologistChurch of England archaeological adviser.
LPALocal Planning Authority.
MitigationA recommendation made by a conservation professional to mitigate any adverse impacts which may result from a development proposal.
Planning adviceProfessional conservation advice about the implications of proposed developments on the cultural heritage.
WSIWritten Scheme of Investigation.

G. 7 Information management systems and recording practice#

EMAEvent-Monument-Archive model, see EMS.
AMIEA computer database developed for the RCHME's (now English Heritage) to hold text-based information about monuments, archives and events. It holds the data on the National Record of the Historic Environment, Excavation Index and archive catalogues. This replaced NewHIS.
Card-index systemA topical set of ordered cards maintained to provide an index to a collection: for example a card index to a library might be ordered by author's name.
CIMICentre for Industrial and Medical Informatics
CRMConseptual Reference Model.
Extensive Urban SurveyEnglish Heritage programme leading to reports on historic towns within an area and the enhancement of the HER.
EMS Events-monuments-source data modelA logical data model which divides information about the historic environment into site investigation (event), site interpretation (monument) and reference sources. (Formerly known as EMA – Event-Monument-Archive)
FLOFinds Liaison Officer of the portable Antiquities Scheme.
GazetteerA list of place names with their associated location, normally given as a grid reference. Gazetteers are published by the OS and other mapmakers and are used as an aid to finding the location of a place on a map sheet. In archaeology, gazetteers of site names and their locations are often included in journals and other publications. Gazetteers have a specific use in GIS, described separately.
Grandfather, father, son backup systemA method for storing previous generations of data that are continuously updated, sometimes know as GFS
HBSMRA software package for HERs that implements the MIDAS data standard which was jointly developed by the RCHME (now English Heritage) and exeGesIS SDM Ltd in partnership with ALGAO. An earlier version was called SMR.
Intensive urban surveysEnglish Heritage programme leading directly to the creation of UADS.
LBSListed Building System. The LBS is the EH database for managing information on Listed Buildings.
LB OnlineLB Online is a version of LBS accessable to Local Authorities and Statutory Amenity Societies via the internet.
MONARCHA computer database developed for the RCHME (now English Heritage) to hold text-based information about monuments, archives and events. This was replaced by NewHIS, and now by AMIE.
Monument recordA record in a card index or computer database which describes and indexes an interpretation of the archaeological or architectural features represented on a site.
Negative eventsArchaeological investigations, such as watching briefs and trial trenches, that find no evidence for human activity. These are described and recorded as negative events. They are considered as important in evaluating the potential for human activity in the area or the effectiveness of a particular field technique under certain conditions.
NewHISA computer database developed for English Heritage to hold text-based information about monuments, archives and events. This replaced MONARCH, but has been superceded by AMIE.
OS card indexCard index of archaeological sites and monuments formerly maintained by the OS Archaeology Division.
PaGParks and Gardens Registration System.
PRNPrimary Reference Number to SMR records.
Record mapThis refers to the maps (most commonly at 1:10,000 scale) used to record the location of sites or monuments in HERs/SMRs prior to the introduction of GIS.
Recording-practice guidelinesDesk manuals for use in HERs, English Heritage and the NMRs that are based around national data standards but which aim to provide practical guidance on how to record in the local situation. They may include guidelines on sources, monument categories, adding and editing records, etc.
Records managementThe function of managing records to meet operational business needs, accountability requirements and community expectations.
RSMRecord of Scheduled Monuments. The RSM is the EH database for managing information on Scheduled MonumeNts.
Secondary sourcesPublished and unpublished works that are based on the interpretation of primary research materials such as finds, aerial photographs, geophysical survey data, etc. Some secondary sources are based on interpretation of both primary data and re-interpretation of other secondary sources.
SignpostCross-references to places where other information can be found.
Superfile packageEnglish Heritage-supported text-file system for SMRs based on the AN32 recording form.
TOADDatabase system developed by Oxford Arch Digital.
Version 1 SMR systemsText flies based on a paper report form used by English Heritage to record visits to Scheduled Monuments by FMWs (known as AM107 and its predecessors the AM12 and AM7).

G.8 GIS#

Address matchingA geocoding process which matches the street address of a property to its location. This usually involves the matching of two database flies, the first containing the address of interest, the second the list of addresses and their co-ordinates
ArcGISGIS software supplied by Esri.
ArcViewGIS software supplied by Esri.
AttributeA particular item of text, whether numeric or alphabetic, that is used to control the entry of terms into a unit of information.
AutoCADDrawing software often used with GIS.
BufferA zone of user-specified distance around a point, line or area feature. Buffers are commonly used as a means of identifying the proximity of features (for example, finding all archaeological monuments within a 1 kilometre corridor of a proposed motorway).
CADComputer Aided Design: software programme for the design, drafting and presentation of graphics. Originally designed for manufacturing drawing, now also widely used for mapping.
CadastreA dataset containing information related to landownership and rights. This usually takes she form of maps and descriptions of uniquely identifiable land parcels. For each parcel, legal information such as ownership, easements and mortgages are recorded.
CellThe basic element within a grid or raster dataset.
CentroidThe centre point of a polygon, often used to attach attribute information to an area such as a census ward. These may be mathematically derived or user defined.
Co-ordinateNumbers representing the position of a point relative to an origin. Cartesian co-ordinates express the location in two or three dimensions as the perpendicular distances from two or three orthogonal axes.
DEMDigital Elevation Model, or terrain model: a data model used to represent a topographic surface, often based on a grid with height value for each cell, or on a set of irregular triangles (later known as a TIN model).
DigitisingThe process of converting or encoding existing maps from an analogue form (paper) into digital information, usually in the form of Cartesian co-ordinates. This may be via a digitising table or a tablet with a handheld cursor, or via a scanner.
DXFDigital exchange Format: a proprietary exchange format owned by Autodesk, originally for the transfer of data between CAD systems. Due to its simplicity, it is now widely used in the transfer of vector data between GIS, despite a number of limitations.
EmulationA software interface between the operating system and the data together with the program needed to read it.
ERDAS ImagineImaging software product used with GIS.
ER MapperImaging software product used with GIS.
ETRS 89European Terestrial Reference Framework.
GazetteerIn a GIS system, a gazetteer is a list of spatial entities, such as properties, or streets, held with their co-ordinates. Gazetteers are used in GIS for rapidly displaying a particular area on screen and also for searches. The gazetteer often forms the core of larger GIS-based applications, such as the prototype National Land Information Service.
GeocodeThe element in a database used to identify the location of a particular record, for example, a postcode.
Geodetic datumA set of parameters defining co-ordinates for all parts of the earth. For example, WGS 84 is the World Geodetic System for 1984. Varying datums are used to produce better local ‘fit’ of a spheroid (a ‘squashed’ sphere) to the actual shape of the earth – the geoid.
GeoMediaGIS Software produced by Intergraph.
GEMINIGeo-spatial metadata interoperability initiative.
GISGeographic Information System.
GiGatewayMetadata Standard to replace NGDF.
GPSGlobal Positioning System: a position-finding system which uses radio receivers to pick up signals from four or more special satellites and compute WGS co-ordinates for the receiver.
ImagineGIS software product.
ITNIntegrated Transport Network.
Landform ProfileOS vector dataset.
LandLineOS vector dataset.
Latitude/longitudeA spatial reference system for the earth's surface. Latitude is an angular measurement N or S of the equator, longitude is an angular measurement E or W of the meridian at Greenwich, UK.
Map projectionA mathematical model used to convert three-dimensional reality into two dimensions for representation on a map, or within a twodimensional GIS database. All map projections have particular strengths: some preserve shape, others preserve distance, area and direction. All projections have limitations of which users should be aware.
Map scaleThe measure of reduction between the representation and the reality, be it a map or a spatial database. Scale is usually represented as a representative fraction of distance (for example 1:50,000, one unit of distance on the map representing 50,000 units in reality). The nominal scale of a spatial dataset has considerable influence over the possible application of the dataset. For example, it would not be sensible to compare data captured at a nominal scale of 1:625,000 with data captured at 1:1,250.
MapInfoGIS sowtware used produced by the MapInfo Corporation.
MasterMapThe OS lares scale digital mapping product.
MapXtremeGIS software package.
MetaGenieGiGateway metadata product.
NGDFThe National Geospatial Data Framework: a forum for discussion about common spatial descriptions within key geographic databases. The NGDF has produced the UK Standard Geographic Base (UKSGB) and also a metadata standard suitable for use with spatial information.
NGRNational Grid Reference: a spatial referencing system for the British Isles developed by the OS. A National Grid Reference locates a point north and east of a point of origin that lies close to the Isles of Scilly.
NodeA basic spatial entity within the vector data model which represents the beginning or end of segment.
PixelA picture element of a raster image as displayed on a screen or raster plot.
OCROptical Character Recognition.
OSGB36OS map projection.
OSGM02National Geoid Model.
OSTN02National Grid Transformation.
PointA spatial entity that represents the simplest geographical element. Represented in the vector data model as a single x, y co-ordinate and in the raster, as a single cell.
PolygonA representation of an enclosed region defined by a segment or a series of segments that makes up its boundary. Polygons may have attributes describing the region they represent, such as the period(s) for a historic town.
PAIPositional Accuracy Improvement Programme (OS)
RasterA data structure composed of a grid of cells. Groups of cells represent geographical features; the value in the cell represents the attribute of the feature.
Remote sensingThe science of acquiring information about the earth using instruments which are remote to the earth's surface, usually from aircraft or satellites (but geophysical information is also relevant). Can provide the ability for the rapid acquisition of data for large areas.
ResolutionThe resolution.of a digital dataset expresses the size of the smallest object which can be depicted. The term is most commonly associated with the raster data model where the resolution of a raster or grid is equal to the size of the cell in the real world.
Rubber sheetingA process which adjusts the relative positions of features within a dataset in a non~linear, or non-uniform way. It is used to transform the co-ordinates of maps with different scales, orientation or co-ordinate systems.
ScanningA data-capture technique which digitises information from paper or film hard copy into digital raster data. The process is rapid, but the resulting raster dataset only has colour, grey-scale or black-and white attributes associated with it and may not have the intelligence necessary for GIS analysis. Some GIS have tools for converting raster to vector data, but these always require some human intervention.
SegmentOne of the basic spatial entitles and a basis for spatial models. Formed from a set of ordered co-ordinates (vertics).
Spatial analysisThis is the process of applying analytical techniques to geographically referenced datasets to extract or generate new geographical information. Spatial analysis may be used to model complex geographical interactions and is useful for investigating site suitability and predicting future events. Overall, analytical techniques may be complex, but are usually made up of a combination of simpler techniques applied in an appropriate order.
Thematic mapA map which communicates a single theme or subject. For example, a map depicting the number of fieldwork projects within different administrative areas, or the number of sites within areas would be thematic maps. These contrast with general-purpose topographic mapping which depicts features such as roads, rivers, landmarks and elevation.
TOIDTopographic Identifier in MasterMap.
TopographyThe natural and artificial features of the landscape.
TopologyThe relationships in spatial terms between connected or adjacent geographical objects. Topology is used to apply intelligence to data held in vector data models. For example, topological information for an arc might include the polygon to its left and right and the nodes to which it is connected.
UKSGBUK Standard Geographic Base.
Vector DataA data model based on the representation of geographical objects by Cartesian co-ordinates, commonly used to represent linear features. Each feature is represented by a series of co-ordinates which define its shape, and which can have linked information. More sophisticated vector data models include topology.
WGS84World Geodetic System map projection.

G.9 Data standards#

AM107A Scheduled Monument reporting form.
AN32A recording form for information about scheduled monuments developed by English Heritage in the early 1980s.
Archaeological ObjectsThesaurusA thesaurus that is maintained by the mda as part of INSCRIPTION to provide indexing terminology for archaeological objects.
Authority listA list of terms, whether numeric or alphabetic, that is used to control the entry of terms into a unit of information.
Bath ProfileAn International Z39.50 Specification for Library Applications and Resource Discovery
Broader termA term that represents a parent to a term or other terms. The broader term is super-ordinate to its subordinate narrow term. One term may have many narrower terms and, in turn, each narrow term may itself have narrower terms.
Candidate termA new term that has been proposed for inclusion in a thesaurus or wordlist.
ClassA grouping of terms representing concepts within a general subject area. The terms within a class need not be hierarchically related.
Compound termA term that is made up of two or more concepts. These are usually divided up into separate terms for each concept except where this affects the meaning or where its use is very well established.
Data dictionaryA reference work that sets out.the data fields or units of information incorporated into a computer system or card index. A data dictionary specifies the information that it is appropriate to record in each field and any wordlists or thesauri to be used.
Data modelA generalised, user-defined view of data representing the real world and entitles therein. For example, the concepts of monuments and events, and their relationship is a model of 'real world' entitles expressed through a particular organisation of data.
Data standardsData standards set out what information it is important to record about a particular subject and how this should be carried out. The aim is to promote consistency in the way in which information is recorded to enable its retrieval.
Dublin CoreA standard content-description model widely used on the internet..
e-Gov metadata standardA list of the elements and refinements that will be used by the public sector to create metadata for information resources. It also gives guidance on the purpose and use of each element.
Grouping termA broader term used to gather a group of terms together but not to be used in recording.
Hierarchical wordlistA wordlist containing a hierarchy but no other form of relationship.
HierarchyAn arrangement of terms showing broader and narrower relationships between the terms.
HomographHomographs are terms that have the same spelling but different meanings. The meanings are usually differentiated from each other by using a qualifier within round brackets after the term, for example Bank (Financial) and Bank (Earthwork).
INSCRIPTIONThe national heritage reference dataset, a collection of wordlists and thesauri developed by various heritage bodies, both national and regional, that are recommended for use in conjunction with MIDAS.
MIDASMonument Inventory Data Standard, a data standard for inventories of monuments. It was agreed by representatives from organisations directly involved in the recording of England's monuments working together as the Data Standards Working Party, now FISH. MIDAS is a 'content' standard.
Narrower termA term that represents a specific sub-set of the concepts represented by another term. A narrower term can have more than one broader term.
Non-preferred termA term that cannot be selected for indexing or retrieval, it is treated as synonymous with another term, the preferred term.
Noun phraseA phrase which acts in the same way as a noun. Terms in wordlists consist of nouns and/or noun phrases.
Preferred termA term which can be selected for retrieval and can be used for indexing.
Recording standardsAgreed standards for recording information within a computer system or card index. See Data standards and Data dictionary.
Related termA preferred term linked to another preferred term conce tually but not hierarchically, for example 'Stable' and 'Tack Shed'. Although both terms are to do with horses there is not a hierarchical relationship but the conceptual link is so close that anybody looking for 'Tack Sheds' might also want to look for 'Stables'.
Scope noteA definition of a term for the purposes of the terminology list. It may, or may not, also include guidance upon its use.
Simple wordlistA list of.terms that do not have any relationships built into the wordlist and do not have multiple elements attached to the same concept.
SPECTRUMThe UK museum documentation standard published by the mda. This standard is integral to MGC registration for museums and is being implemented throughout the UK and worldwide in both manual and computerised systems.
SynonymA term having a different form or spelling but the same or nearly the same meaning as another term, for example, Slaughter House and Abattoir or Dovecote and Dovecot.
Term listAnother phrase for a wordlist.
Terminology controlThe overall concept of the use of terms to control the recording and retrieval of any given unit of information.
ThesaurusA list of concepts or terms that normally shows equivalence, hierarchical and associative relationships. A thesaurus is a flexible indexing and retrieval tool.
Thesaurus of Building MaterialsA thesaurus maintained by English Heritage as part of INSCRIPTION to provide an index to materials used in the construction of buildings and other structures such as public monuments, garden ornaments, street furniture, etc.
Thesaurus of Monument TypesA thesaurus maintained by English Heritage as part of INSCRIPTION to provide an index to monuments, buildings and other built structures by character and function.
Unit of informationUnits of 'reformation are the fundamental facts of interest contained within an information system whether computerised or manual.
WordlistA standard list of terminology used to control information recorded in a specific field in a database.
Z39.50A communications protocol designed to enable communciation between computer systems.

G.10 Information technology and the internet#

Anti-virus softwareSoftware that is designed to identify the presence of computer viruses and which provides facilities for their safe removal from a computer system. This software incorporates an index to currently known viruses, and as new versions are rapidly introduced, must be regularly updated.
ASCIIAmerican Standard Code for Information Interchange text or delimited text for structured data.
Backing-up dataThe process by which copies are made of computer data and placed in safe storage to provide a facility to restore information in the event of system failures or other losses (such as theft of computers).
CD/CD-ROM/CD-RWCompact Disc/Compact Disc Read-Only Memory/Compact Disk – Rewritable.
Data captureThe process of capturing information into a computer system. This may involve direct input from a keyboard, scanning, digitising or transfers of digital data from external sources.
Data migrationThe planned movement of data to new formats and more recent versions of software.
Data transferTransfer of digital data between one computer system and another.
DDEDynamic Data Exchange: a protocol incorporated into the Windows operating system that allows one application to exchange data or to trigger an action in another application.
Digital archivingLong-term preservation and future use of static digital data.
DVD/DVD-ROMDigital Video or Digital Versatile Disc/Digital Video or Digital Versatile Disc – Read Only Memory.
EmulationA software interface between operating system and the data together with the program needed to read it.
FirewallA protective security screen to control access to locally held resources from unauthorised outside users.
FlatfileA computer record system based on a single data table in which a record consists of a row of data fields.
FTPFile Transfer Protocol: a way of transferring digital data between source and destination systems.
GiGatewayA free web service aimed at increasing awareness of and access to geospatial information in the UK.
GMLGeography Markup Language
GUIGraphical User Interface: a method of interaction with a computer which uses pictorial buttons (icons) and command lists controlled by a mouse.
HypertextDocument files prepared in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) for, use on the World Wide Web. These documents incorporate text with links to images, digital data and other documents.
lnternetA global communications network made up of millions of computers. Access to the World Wide Web and electronic mail or 'email' are normally considered as the most important internet services.
lntranetClosed computer networks that are established by organisations to serve the computing needs of their staff.
ISPInternet Service Provider: an organisation that offers services including access to the World Wide Web and email.
ITInformation technology.
LANLocal Area Network: a computer network maintained by an organisation to connect computers within a building or a single site.
ModemAn input-output device which is used to transmit and receive digital signals between computers across the internet.
MultimediaA term used to describe materials available on the internet which incorporate text, images, video clips and sound clips.
ODBCOpen Database Connectivity: a set of protocols that allows a database application held on a client machine to interact with a different database application held on a server across a network. For example, using ODBC an Access database on a work station can query and exchange data with an Oracle'database on a network server.
OLEObject Linking and Embedding: a protocol that is incorporated into the Windows operating system. It allows programs to communicate with each other and is used to link or embed objects creating a compound document, for example an Access form might contain a Word document, an Excel spreadsheet or a Maplnfo workspace. Linking means that data is retrieved from its original file. Embedding means that data from the original file is copied into the compound document.
PasswordsThese are codewords, normally made up of a mixture of letters and numbers, that are used to limit entry to computers, networks and other systems to authorised persons.
PCPersonal Computer: a desktop computer which incorporates a monitor, keyboard, central processing unit and memory storage space used to run applications software.
RAIDRedundant Array of Independent Disks.
Relational databaseA database which structures data in the form of tables. Each table contains information relevant to a particular feature, and is linked to other tables by a common value. For example, two attribute tables could be lined to a spatial data table via a geocode, such as a postcode, or a unique identifier.
Technology preservationThe maintenance of hardware, operating systems and applications used to create specific data.
Trojan horseA type of program that is moved insidiously on to a computer system to be triggered at sometime by certain pre-defined actions, usually with disastrous consequences.
URLUniversal Resource Locator: an address used to identify resources on the World Wide Web.
VirusesA computer virus is a self-replicating programme, which may or may not be harmful. Viruses are inadvertently spread from computer to computer on floppy discs, email attachments and from the internet. Once introduced on to a computer they may simply display a message on screen but some cause damage to data files.
WANWide Area Network: a computer network for a series of buildings which may be widely separated across the country.
Web serverA web server is a computer that provides access to HTML documents and other web-enabled materials stored on its hard disc or memory. This may simply be a personal computer with appropriate communications software and a connection to the internet, or it may be a higherspecification machine maintained by an ISP or a large organisation.
WebsiteA linked series of HTML documents that is available on the internet at a location identified by a URL is referred to as a website. A web page is a single HTML document.
Web spaceSpace on the web server that may be used for file storage and for a website. Websites have an address or URL which locates a hypertext file on the World Wide Web.
WormsA destructive program that replicates itself throughout a single computer or across a network, both wired and wireless.
wwwWorld Wide Web
XMLExtensible Markup language

G.11 Access and copyright#

CopyrightLegal rights associated with the originators of material.
Database RightLegal rights associated with the originators of computer databases.
DDADisability Discrimination Act
EIREnvironmental Information Regulations 2004
FoIFreedom of Information Act 2000
Free Text SearchA query made where there is no control of the terminology that is searched upon: for example a search on 'house' would find any instance where the word is used regardless of its context.
Freedom of access to information on the environment1990 EC directive (90/313/EEC) concerning public access to information on the environment, implemented in Great Britain through the 1992 Environmental Information Regulations (SI 1447) by the DETR. Under these regulations environmental information relates to the state of any' water or air, flora or fauna, soil, natural or other land. The 'state' includes physical, chemical and biological conditions in the past, present and future. The 'land' includes all land surfaces, buildings, land covered by water and underground strata.
LicensingA form of agreement between two parties in which one party is permitted to carry out some action by another. For example, an OS licence permits the licence-holder to use or copy OS maps within specified conditions.
National Archaeology DayAnnual events organised by the CBA's Young Archaeologists Club to offer their members an opportunity to participate in activities organised in partnerships with museums, SMRS, archaeology units and others.
National curriculumThe curriculum taught in schools to children between the ages of 5 and 16 co-ordinated nationally by the Department of Education.
User declaration formsThese are forms that set out the role of the SMR and its commitment to conservation and preservation of the historic environment.