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In general, HER databases contain information about all of the ancient and historic features and sites in both countryside and town that make up the historic landscape. They range in date from the earliest hominid settlement to the Cold War period. Many monuments and features survive in visible form, and both enrich the public’s appreciation of the contemporary landscape and contribute to tourism. Other remains lie buried but can provide valuable enlightenment for this and future generations. Some sites are interpreted from place name or other evidence from maps and historic documents. In addition to this, coastal HERs include a wide range of sites and features reflecting the complex interaction between man and the sea, from remains of vessels to quays and harbours, inshore fisheries and shellfish cultivation as well as submerged landscapes. Individual HERs vary in the extent to which historic buildings, 20th-century structures, parks, gardens, landscapes and finds are represented in their records, but the scope of each should be clearly set out in a recording policy.
In general, HER databases contain information about all of the ancient and historic features and sites in both countryside and town that make up the historic landscape. They range in date from the earliest hominid settlement to the Cold War period. Many monuments and features survive in visible form, and both enrich the public's appreciation of the contemporary landscape and contribute to tourism. Other remains lie buried but can provide valuable enlightenment for this and future generations. Some sites are interpreted from place name or other evidence from maps and historic documents. In addition to this, coastal HERs include a wide range of sites and features reflecting the complex interaction between man and the sea, from remains of vessels to quays and harbours, inshore fisheries and shellfish cultivation as well as submerged landscapes. Individual HERs vary in the extent to which historic buildings, 20th-century structures, parks, gardens, landscapes and finds are represented in their records, but the scope of each should be clearly set out in a recording policy.
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Systematic records of archaeological and historic monuments began to be created in 1908 when the Royal Commissions (RCHME, RCAHMS, RCAHMW) were set up and instructed to make an inventory of the ancient and historical monuments of their respective countries. For example, the warrant for the RCHME required the Commission 'to make an inventory of the Ancient Monuments and Constructions connected with or illustrative of the contemporary culture, civilisation and conditions of life of the people in England covering the period from the earliest time to the year 1700’. The remit also included identification of ‘those which seem most worthy of preservation’ (RCHME 1992). In Scotland the cut-off date was initially set at 1707, the date of the union of the English and Scottish parliaments.
Systematic records of archaeological and historic monuments began to be created in 1908 when the Royal Commissions (RCHME, RCAHMS, RCAHMW) were set up and instructed to make an inventory of the ancient and historical monuments of their respective countries. For example, the warrant for the RCHME required the Commission 'to make an inventory of the Ancient Monuments and Constructions connected with or illustrative of the contemporary culture, civilisation and conditions of life of the people in England covering the period from the earliest time to the year 1700'. The remit also included identification of ‘those which seem most worthy of preservation' (RCHME 1992). In Scotland the cut-off date was initially set at 1707, the date of the union of the English and Scottish parliaments.
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During the 1960s there was a growing awareness of the rate at which archaeological sites were being damaged or destroyed and a need for the information amassed by the Royal Commissions and the OS to be available to the local-authority planning svstem. The Committee of Enquiry into the Arrangements for the Protection of Field Monuments (the 'Walsh' Committee, which covered England, Wales and Scotland) recommended the strengthening of existing legislation for the protection of ancient monuments, and concluded that the local-authority system could in future play a vital part in identifying and moderating threats to the historic landscape. It recommended that county planning authorities maintain a record of field monuments and that county councils should consider appointing archaeological officers to provide professional archaeological assistance (Walsh 1969). Following publication of the Walsh report, national networks of archaeological officers and SMRs began to emerge in England and Wales in the 1970s. Oxfordshire is generally credited with establishing the first SMR (Benson 1974). Similarly in 1974-75, SMRs were established in the four newly formed Welsh Archaeological Trusts thereby providing a national coverage across Wales.
During the 1960s there was a growing awareness of the rate at which archaeological sites were being damaged or destroyed and a need for the information amassed by the Royal Commissions and the OS to be available to the local-authority planning svstem. The Committee of Enquiry into the Arrangements for the Protection of Field Monuments (the 'Walsh' Committee, which covered England, Wales and Scotland) recommended the strengthening of existing legislation for the protection of ancient monuments, and concluded that the local-authority system could in future play a vital part in identifying and moderating threats to the historic landscape. It recommended that county planning authorities maintain a record of field monuments and that county councils should consider appointing archaeological officers to provide professional archaeological assistance (Walsh 1969). Following publication of the Walsh report, national networks of archaeological officers and SMRs began to emerge in England and Wales in the 1970s. Oxfordshire is generally credited with establishing the first SMR (Benson 1974). Similarly in 1974-75, SMRs were established in the four newly formed Welsh Archaeological Trusts thereby providing a national coverage across Wales.
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In Scotland equivalent roles were played by the Scottish Development Department’s Historic Buildings and Monuments Division, later Historic Scotland, and the RCAHMS. Currently Historic Scotland helps fund SMR development and the RCAHMS provides technical assistance. The Scottish bodies have not led software development for SMRs, but instead concentrated their efforts on trying to extend the geographical coverage of the Scottish SMRs by provision of pump-priming grants, firstly from the RCAHMS and later Historic Scotland, with the RCAHMS providing basic data from the national record. Now that the geographic coverage of SMRs in Scotland is almost complete, the focus of attention of both the national bodies and the local SMRs has switched to securing a national strategy for SMR development through the auspices of the Scottish SMR Forum. In Scotland SMRs have not yet achieved comprehensive recording of the archaeological potential of the country. Fieldwork and research results in significant SMR enhancement through new discoveries each year for large areas of Scotland, particularly in the upland zone.
In Scotland equivalent roles were played by the Scottish Development Department's Historic Buildings and Monuments Division, later Historic Scotland, and the RCAHMS. Currently Historic Scotland helps fund SMR development and the RCAHMS provides technical assistance. The Scottish bodies have not led software development for SMRs, but instead concentrated their efforts on trying to extend the geographical coverage of the Scottish SMRs by provision of pump-priming grants, firstly from the RCAHMS and later Historic Scotland, with the RCAHMS providing basic data from the national record. Now that the geographic coverage of SMRs in Scotland is almost complete, the focus of attention of both the national bodies and the local SMRs has switched to securing a national strategy for SMR development through the auspices of the Scottish SMR Forum. In Scotland SMRs have not yet achieved comprehensive recording of the archaeological potential of the country. Fieldwork and research results in significant SMR enhancement through new discoveries each year for large areas of Scotland, particularly in the upland zone.
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In Wales the four HERs are owned and managed by the Welsh Archaeological Trusts (WATs) and thereby provide a uniform coverage across the whole country. From 1980 the original paper records underwent computerization, and considerable enhancement, although here the process was led by individual Trusts, following the ‘Oxford model’ and using a variety of software and hardware, with funding and support from various private initiatives and government agencies (such as job creation and employment training schemes). Latterly Cadw, and since 1989 RCAHMW under the oversight role for local HERs identified in its Royal Warrant, have taken a more formal role in Welsh HERs, with initiatives now coming from the Extended National Database for Wales partnership and the Strategic Framework for Historic Environment Records in Wales working group.
In Wales the four HERs are owned and managed by the Welsh Archaeological Trusts (WATs) and thereby provide a uniform coverage across the whole country. From 1980 the original paper records underwent computerization, and considerable enhancement, although here the process was led by individual Trusts, following the ‘Oxford model' and using a variety of software and hardware, with funding and support from various private initiatives and government agencies (such as job creation and employment training schemes). Latterly Cadw, and since 1989 RCAHMW under the oversight role for local HERs identified in its Royal Warrant, have taken a more formal role in Welsh HERs, with initiatives now coming from the Extended National Database for Wales partnership and the Strategic Framework for Historic Environment Records in Wales working group.
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In the 1990s a joint English Heritage-RCHME initiative created a series of Urban Archaeological Databases (UADs) in England. Some are effectively HERs for major historic towns, for example Chester; others are the enhancement of part of an existing HER such as Northampton. There is no such equivalent in Scotland but since 1977 Historic Scotland has funded the production of the Burgh Survey series which summarises the historical and archaeological evidence for Scotland’s medieval burghs. These are available to the Scottish SMRs but practice differs in respect of the incorporation of relevant data into the SMRs. There has been no systematic incorporation of the Burgh Survey information into the relevant SMR.
In the 1990s a joint English Heritage-RCHME initiative created a series of Urban Archaeological Databases (UADs) in England. Some are effectively HERs for major historic towns, for example Chester; others are the enhancement of part of an existing HER such as Northampton. There is no such equivalent in Scotland but since 1977 Historic Scotland has funded the production of the Burgh Survey series which summarises the historical and archaeological evidence for Scotland's medieval burghs. These are available to the Scottish SMRs but practice differs in respect of the incorporation of relevant data into the SMRs. There has been no systematic incorporation of the Burgh Survey information into the relevant SMR.
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In 1999 the RCHME and English Heritage were merged to create a single organisation, English Heritage, concerned with the recording, protection and management of the historic environment in England. As the Government's statutory advisor on heritage conservation, archaeology and the management of the historic environment, English Heritage remains concerned with the effective application of HERs to heritage management at both local and national levels and has continued the former RCHME’s lead role. Its NMR continues to work to support inter-interoperability between local and national heritage information records.
In 1999 the RCHME and English Heritage were merged to create a single organisation, English Heritage, concerned with the recording, protection and management of the historic environment in England. As the Government's statutory advisor on heritage conservation, archaeology and the management of the historic environment, English Heritage remains concerned with the effective application of HERs to heritage management at both local and national levels and has continued the former RCHME's lead role. Its NMR continues to work to support inter-interoperability between local and national heritage information records.
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Where they are held directly within local authorities, HERs often form part of the Planning, Environment and Economic Development Department or Directorate. Although the name of the grouping varies from authority to authority, the HER normally sits alongside records for listed buildings, ecology, rights of way and other aspects of countryside management. There is a growing tendency for these records, particularly in England and Wales, to be combined to form integrated databases for the historic environment; examples include the Essex Historic Environment Record and the Staffordshire Environmental Planning Unit. Whilst this is also happening to some extent in Scotland there are structural barriers in some areas to the creation of HERs because of the nature of the arrangement for SMR and advice provision.
Where they are held directly within local authorities, HERs often form part of the Planning, Environment and Economic Development Department or Directorate. Although the name of the grouping varies from authority to authority, the HER normally sits alongside records for listed buildings, ecology, rights of way and other aspects of countryside management. There is a growing tendency for these records, particularly in England and Wales, to be combined to form integrated databases for the historic environment; examples include the Essex Historic Environment Record and the Staffordshire Environmental Planning Unit. Whilst this is also happening to some extent in Scotland there are structural barriers in some areas to the creation of HERs because of the nature of the arrangement for SMR and advice provision.
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*In England English Heritage is responsible for the scheduling of monuments and the listing of historic buildings on behalf of the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport in accordance with the primary legislation The listing of buildings was transferred to English Heritage from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in April 2005. Other changes will be introduced as a result of the Government’s consultation The Review of Heritage Protection: The Way Forward (DCMS 2004).
*In England English Heritage is responsible for the scheduling of monuments and the listing of historic buildings on behalf of the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport in accordance with the primary legislation The listing of buildings was transferred to English Heritage from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in April 2005. Other changes will be introduced as a result of the Government's consultation The Review of Heritage Protection: The Way Forward (DCMS 2004).
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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Convention provides for the identification, protection and presentation of cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value. Currently. there are 23 sites in Britain (16 in England, 4 in Scotland, 2 in Wales and 1 in Northern Ireland). The Antonine Wall in Scotland is to be proposed for nomination as part of a distributed single trans-national World Heritage Site (the Frontiers of the Roman Empire) to include Hadrian’s Wall. Although there is no special legislation, impact on a World Heritage Site is a material consideration in the planning process as set out in planning guidance (PPG15 (England), Planning Policy Wales (Wales) and NPPG 18 (Scotland)).
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Convention provides for the identification, protection and presentation of cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value. Currently. there are 23 sites in Britain (16 in England, 4 in Scotland, 2 in Wales and 1 in Northern Ireland). The Antonine Wall in Scotland is to be proposed for nomination as part of a distributed single trans-national World Heritage Site (the Frontiers of the Roman Empire) to include Hadrian's Wall. Although there is no special legislation, impact on a World Heritage Site is a material consideration in the planning process as set out in planning guidance (PPG15 (England), Planning Policy Wales (Wales) and NPPG 18 (Scotland)).
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In England and Wales changes are anticipated following the Government’s consultation ''The Review of Heritage Protection: The Way Forward (DCMS 2004) and Protection of historical assets in Wales: a consultation paper'' (National Assembly for Wales: Welsh Assembly Government 2003). This included proposals for a unified list combining listed buildings, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, registered battlefields and for devolving consent procedures to local authorities.
In England and Wales changes are anticipated following the Government's consultation ''The Review of Heritage Protection: The Way Forward (DCMS 2004) and Protection of historical assets in Wales: a consultation paper'' (National Assembly for Wales: Welsh Assembly Government 2003). This included proposals for a unified list combining listed buildings, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, registered battlefields and for devolving consent procedures to local authorities.
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__''Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Scotland Act 1970''__: [[Scotland] Covers the designation of buildings of special architectural or historic interest ‘with a view to the guidance of planning authorities in the performance of their functions under this Act’.
__''Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Scotland Act 1970''__: [[Scotland] Covers the designation of buildings of special architectural or historic interest ‘with a view to the guidance of planning authorities in the performance of their functions under this Act'.
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The Treasure Act 1996 Code of Practice (Revised) 2002 [[England and Wales] updates the Code of Practice first issued in 1997. The Code sets out the guidelines to be followed by the Secretary of State when considering whether or not treasure should be offered to a museum or to the finder or to any other person, when determining a reward and when deciding whether to disclaim the Crown’s title to treasure. It also provides guidance for finders, museums, coroners and others who are concerned with treasure.
The Treasure Act 1996 Code of Practice (Revised) 2002 [[England and Wales] updates the Code of Practice first issued in 1997. The Code sets out the guidelines to be followed by the Secretary of State when considering whether or not treasure should be offered to a museum or to the finder or to any other person, when determining a reward and when deciding whether to disclaim the Crown's title to treasure. It also provides guidance for finders, museums, coroners and others who are concerned with treasure.
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__''SPP1, 2002''__: [[Scotland]: Sets out the key principles and the Executive’s priorities for the system to guide policy formulation and decision making towards the goal of sustainable development.
__''SPP1, 2002''__: [[Scotland]: Sets out the key principles and the Executive's priorities for the system to guide policy formulation and decision making towards the goal of sustainable development.
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__''NPPG 5, 1994''__: [[Scotland] Sets out the Government’s planning policy on how archaeological remains and discoveries should be handled within the development plan and development control systems. Advises on assessing the archaeological implications of development and early consultation with SMRs in assessing the impact of planning applications.
__''NPPG 5, 1994''__: [[Scotland] Sets out the Government's planning policy on how archaeological remains and discoveries should be handled within the development plan and development control systems. Advises on assessing the archaeological implications of development and early consultation with SMRs in assessing the impact of planning applications.
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__'''Planning Policy Wales’, March 2002''__: [[Wales] provides the strategic policy framework for the effective preparation of local planning authorities’ development plans. (Chapter 6 relates to the historic environment encompassing UDPs, Conservation Areas, development control, World Heritage Sites and historic parks and gardens). This is supplemented by 20 topic based [Technical Advice Notes|http://newydd.cymru.gov.uk/about/departments/depc/epcpublications/PlanPubs/TAN/?lang=en] (Wales) needs password access (TANs). Procedural guidance is given in Welsh Office / National Assembly for Wales circulars.
__'''Planning Policy Wales', March 2002''__: [[Wales] provides the strategic policy framework for the effective preparation of local planning authorities' development plans. (Chapter 6 relates to the historic environment encompassing UDPs, Conservation Areas, development control, World Heritage Sites and historic parks and gardens). This is supplemented by 20 topic based [Technical Advice Notes|http://newydd.cymru.gov.uk/about/departments/depc/epcpublications/PlanPubs/TAN/?lang=en] (Wales) needs password access (TANs). Procedural guidance is given in Welsh Office / National Assembly for Wales circulars.
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__''Code of Practice for Seabed Developers: Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee, 1995''__: [[UK] Encourages seabed developers to seek advice on maritime archaeological potential in line with overall assessment of a development’s environmental impact.
__''Code of Practice for Seabed Developers: Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee, 1995''__: [[UK] Encourages seabed developers to seek advice on maritime archaeological potential in line with overall assessment of a development's environmental impact.
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%%(text-decoration:underline)Scotland/%: __National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) 5 Archaeology and Planning__: (SDD 1994a) contains broadly similar recommendations. It sets out the Scottish Executive’s planning policy on how archaeological remains and discoveries should be handled under the development plan and development control systems, including the weight to be given to them in planning decisions and the use of planning conditions. More detailed advice on planning procedures and the separate controls over scheduled monuments is given in the associated Planning Advice Note (PAN) 42 Archaeology - the Planning Process and Scheduled Monument Procedures (SDD 1994b)
%%(text-decoration:underline)Scotland/%: __National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) 5 Archaeology and Planning__: (SDD 1994a) contains broadly similar recommendations. It sets out the Scottish Executive's planning policy on how archaeological remains and discoveries should be handled under the development plan and development control systems, including the weight to be given to them in planning decisions and the use of planning conditions. More detailed advice on planning procedures and the separate controls over scheduled monuments is given in the associated Planning Advice Note (PAN) 42 Archaeology - the Planning Process and Scheduled Monument Procedures (SDD 1994b)
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%%(text-decoration:underline)Scotland/%: __NPPG 18 Planning and the Historic Environment__ (SDD 1999); deals primarily with listed buildings, conservation areas, world heritage sites, historic gardens, designed landscapes and their settings. The primary source of guidance on the Scottish Ministers’ interests and responsibilities in relation to listed buildings and conservation areas is provided in the Memorandum of Guidance on Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas (revised 1998)
%%(text-decoration:underline)Scotland/%: __NPPG 18 Planning and the Historic Environment__ (SDD 1999); deals primarily with listed buildings, conservation areas, world heritage sites, historic gardens, designed landscapes and their settings. The primary source of guidance on the Scottish Ministers' interests and responsibilities in relation to listed buildings and conservation areas is provided in the Memorandum of Guidance on Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas (revised 1998)
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In England records of the historic urban cores of modern towns have been developed by local government archaeology services or contracting units under an English Heritage programme that involves resource identification, database development and the preparation of a management strategy. The database element of this programme is a specific type of HER, similar in content to a ‘normal’ HER but generally including additional detail about stratified urban deposits. Some UAD projects enhance part of an existing HER rather than operating as a new, separate database. Once strategies for managing the urban archaeological resource have been prepared, the UAD should either be integrated into the HER for the area or maintained separately as an HER and brought up to the 1st stage HER benchmark as a minimum with an agreement with other HERs in the area as to who maintains the record for the town/city in question to avoid duplication. A map showing the towns covered by UADs is available on the [English Heritage web site|http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1294].
In England records of the historic urban cores of modern towns have been developed by local government archaeology services or contracting units under an English Heritage programme that involves resource identification, database development and the preparation of a management strategy. The database element of this programme is a specific type of HER, similar in content to a ‘normal' HER but generally including additional detail about stratified urban deposits. Some UAD projects enhance part of an existing HER rather than operating as a new, separate database. Once strategies for managing the urban archaeological resource have been prepared, the UAD should either be integrated into the HER for the area or maintained separately as an HER and brought up to the 1st stage HER benchmark as a minimum with an agreement with other HERs in the area as to who maintains the record for the town/city in question to avoid duplication. A map showing the towns covered by UADs is available on the [English Heritage web site|http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1294].
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Museums hold collections of objects and are the primary location for archaeological archives resulting from fieldwork relating to their sphere of interest.They play a vital role in curating such achives, containing as they do ‘...all parts of the archaeological record, including the finds and digital records as well as the written, drawn and photographic documentation’ (Perrin 2002). Their collection catalogues, which may or may not be computerised, hold references to objects identified in local HERs. Where possible, HERs also hold cross-references between the locations where objects were found or excavated and the catalogue number and name of the museum in which they are held, together with any associated archives.
Museums hold collections of objects and are the primary location for archaeological archives resulting from fieldwork relating to their sphere of interest.They play a vital role in curating such achives, containing as they do ‘...all parts of the archaeological record, including the finds and digital records as well as the written, drawn and photographic documentation' (Perrin 2002). Their collection catalogues, which may or may not be computerised, hold references to objects identified in local HERs. Where possible, HERs also hold cross-references between the locations where objects were found or excavated and the catalogue number and name of the museum in which they are held, together with any associated archives.
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Record offices, whether county based as in England and Wales or the various unitary and joint archives in Scotland, hold documents, photographs, maps and other archives relating to their local area. Some HERs have close contacts with their local record office and some HER databases include cross-references to material held there.
Record offices, whether county based as in England and Wales or the various unitary and joint archives in Scotland, hold documents, photographs, maps and other archives relating to their local area. Some HERs have close contacts with their local record office and some HER databases include cross-references to material held there.
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English Heritage has established regional offices to provide a local base for ancient monuments inspectors and historic buildings advisors. Each HER is covered by a designated ancient monuments inspector who provides a first point of contact for conservation advice and information about English Heritage projects and programmes. The English Heritage regional offices have also established regional historic environment fora. These have a broad membership of public, voluntary and private bodies to provide a clear focus for historic environment issues, for example contributing to regional ‘State of the Historic Environment’ reports. There are no regional offices of Historic Scotland, but both the listed building and the ancient monuments inspectorate are organised on an area basis. There are no regional offices in Wales.
English Heritage has established regional offices to provide a local base for ancient monuments inspectors and historic buildings advisors. Each HER is covered by a designated ancient monuments inspector who provides a first point of contact for conservation advice and information about English Heritage projects and programmes. The English Heritage regional offices have also established regional historic environment fora. These have a broad membership of public, voluntary and private bodies to provide a clear focus for historic environment issues, for example contributing to regional ‘State of the Historic Environment' reports. There are no regional offices of Historic Scotland, but both the listed building and the ancient monuments inspectorate are organised on an area basis. There are no regional offices in Wales.
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English Heritage’s National Monuments Record (NMR) curates a wide range of information and archive collections relating to the historic environment and makes them available to the public.The NMR maintains a national database of monuments, buildings and maritime sites linked to a GIS system and contains entries for over 400,000 monuments and c.80,000 events. The NMR also curates a collection of over 2.5 million air photographs, some 3 million ground photographs, 32,000 books, 300,000 maps and a growing collection of plans, architectural drawings and reports. The collections provide complete aerial coverage for England and other photographic coverage of a wide range of topics such as English towns, gardens, houses, churches and cathedrals, industrial sites and railway stations.
English Heritage's National Monuments Record (NMR) curates a wide range of information and archive collections relating to the historic environment and makes them available to the public.The NMR maintains a national database of monuments, buildings and maritime sites linked to a GIS system and contains entries for over 400,000 monuments and c.80,000 events. The NMR also curates a collection of over 2.5 million air photographs, some 3 million ground photographs, 32,000 books, 300,000 maps and a growing collection of plans, architectural drawings and reports. The collections provide complete aerial coverage for England and other photographic coverage of a wide range of topics such as English towns, gardens, houses, churches and cathedrals, industrial sites and railway stations.
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The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) is responsible for recording, interpreting and collecting information about the built environment. The National Monuments Record for Scotland (NMRS) is the principal archive of collections for Scotland’s archaeological, building and maritime heritage. There are several million items in the collections comprising photographs, drawings, manuscripts, aerial photographs and other visual and documentary material including digital archives.
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) is responsible for recording, interpreting and collecting information about the built environment. The National Monuments Record for Scotland (NMRS) is the principal archive of collections for Scotland's archaeological, building and maritime heritage. There are several million items in the collections comprising photographs, drawings, manuscripts, aerial photographs and other visual and documentary material including digital archives.
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In Wales the HERs form part of an ‘Extended National Database (END) Partnership’ of heritage organisations records which includes the RCAHMW’s records, Cadw SAM Records, and the National Museums and Galleries of Wales archaeological collections. Core data from each partner’s digital records are exchanged and regularly updated and made available for both internal purposes and for public access.
In Wales the HERs form part of an ‘Extended National Database (END) Partnership' of heritage organisations records which includes the RCAHMW's records, Cadw SAM Records, and the National Museums and Galleries of Wales archaeological collections. Core data from each partner's digital records are exchanged and regularly updated and made available for both internal purposes and for public access.
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''An Assessment of SMRs in England'' (Baker 1999a), ''Scotland'' (Baker 1999b) and ''Wales'' (Baker unpublished) has shown that their development has been uneven and often on an ad hoc basis. However, more recent research such as the ''SMR Content and Computing Survey'' (Newman 2002), has shown that the situation is improving. The government HER consultation results, ''HER Benchmarks for Good Practice'' (Chitty 2002) and ''Resource needs for SMRs and UADs to reach the first stage benchmarks'' (Baker, Chitty and Edwards 2004) (relating to England) have shown a way forward for future continued improvement in the key areas described below.
''An Assessment of SMRs in England'' (Baker 1999a), ''Scotland'' (Baker 1999b) and ''Wales'' (Baker unpublished) has shown that their development has been uneven and often on an ad hoc basis. However, more recent research such as the ''SMR Content and Computing Survey'' (Newman 2002), has shown that the situation is improving. The government HER consultation results, ''HER Benchmarks for Good Practice'' (Chitty 2002) and ''Resource needs for SMRs and UADs to reach the first stage benchmarks'' (Baker, Chitty and Edwards 2004) (relating to England) have shown a way forward for future continued improvement in the key areas described below.
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Recent years have seen much greater co-operation between the key national organisations with an interest in the development of English HERs (English Heritage, ALGAO, RCAHMW, RCAHMS, IHBC, DCMS and MLA) since RCHME, ALGAO and English Heritage signed a co-operation statement containing agreed key principles governing SMR development in 1998 (RCHME, ALGAO and English Heritage 1998). The statement set out a shared vision of a national network of heritage records maintained to common standards and accessible to a wide variety of users. Since 1998, this partnership has underpinned a number of projects, including the SMR assessment (Baker 1999a), and preparation of a framework document for the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to guide bids from HERs for funding, recently updated as ‘[Unlocking Our Past|http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=HERFORUM&X=&Y=&f=/Guidelines/Unlocking_Our_Past.pdf]’ (EH/ALGAO 2005).
Recent years have seen much greater co-operation between the key national organisations with an interest in the development of English HERs (English Heritage, ALGAO, RCAHMW, RCAHMS, IHBC, DCMS and MLA) since RCHME, ALGAO and English Heritage signed a co-operation statement containing agreed key principles governing SMR development in 1998 (RCHME, ALGAO and English Heritage 1998). The statement set out a shared vision of a national network of heritage records maintained to common standards and accessible to a wide variety of users. Since 1998, this partnership has underpinned a number of projects, including the SMR assessment (Baker 1999a), and preparation of a framework document for the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to guide bids from HERs for funding, recently updated as ‘[Unlocking Our Past|http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=HERFORUM&X=&Y=&f=/Guidelines/Unlocking_Our_Past.pdf]' (EH/ALGAO 2005).
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Following the Baker report (Baker 1999a) ALGAO produced a strategy for HERs (ALGAO 2000) which set out the Association’s intention to work with the national partners to:
Following the Baker report (Baker 1999a) ALGAO produced a strategy for HERs (ALGAO 2000) which set out the Association's intention to work with the national partners to:
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In England, English Heritage, ALGAO, IHBC, DCMS and MLA meet regularly in an HER Working Party which has taken the lead in such initiatives as the first edition of this manual as well as its revision, in the ''Benchmarks for Good Practice'' (Chitty 2002), ''Resource needs for SMRs and UADs to reach the first stage benchmarks'' (Baker, Chitty and Edwards 2004) and a framework document for Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) support for HER Outreach, ''Unlocking Britain’s Past'' (HLF 1999) and ''Unlocking Our Past'' (English Heritage/ALGAO 2005). The challenge for the future is for the partners to successfully influence both national and local government to provide greater stability and increased resources to support the further development of HERs.
In England, English Heritage, ALGAO, IHBC, DCMS and MLA meet regularly in an HER Working Party which has taken the lead in such initiatives as the first edition of this manual as well as its revision, in the ''Benchmarks for Good Practice'' (Chitty 2002), ''Resource needs for SMRs and UADs to reach the first stage benchmarks'' (Baker, Chitty and Edwards 2004) and a framework document for Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) support for HER Outreach, ''Unlocking Britain's Past'' (HLF 1999) and ''Unlocking Our Past'' (English Heritage/ALGAO 2005). The challenge for the future is for the partners to successfully influence both national and local government to provide greater stability and increased resources to support the further development of HERs.
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||A.8.2 Data standards
There is now a widespread acceptance of the importance of data standards and three key platforms for this, the event-monument-source data model, the high level MIDAS (Lee 1998) standard and the national reference data terminology lists (INSCRIPTION) have already been agreed by HERs and NMR in England/Wales. These high level standards are available on the web site for use by any HERs. No comparable work on data standards has taken place in Scotland, but agreement to co-operate on these is included in the Co-operation Statement between SMRs and RCAHMS (RCAHMS 2005). More detailed data standards are being developed in Scotland under the auspices of the ASPIRE project ([http://www.aspire-resource.info]) and the Scottish SMR Forum.
These standards have and will inevitably develop in the light of practical experience and in response to new areas. A forum for discussing developments in data standards is already in place, the Forum on Information Standards in Heritage (FISH); its work and that of other standard-setting groups will continue. Challenges for the future will include developing standards for archaeological spatial data, an aspect currently being addressed and working towards common standards for heritage information across the UK. (See B.6, E.4)
!!A.8.3 Research frameworks
Many archaeologists have long recognised the need for a framework for regional archaeological research and are responding positively to the English Heritage recommendation for the publication of research frameworks. These documents provide a structure within which decisions can be taken on the protection, management and recording of the archaeological resource at local levels and relate national strategies to those needs. Recent examples are the archaeological research frameworks for East Anglia (Glazebrook 1997; Brown and Glazebrook 2000) and the Greater Thames Estuary (Williams and Brown 1999) which provide an assessment of the archaeological resource of these regions and highlight areas where HER enhancements or links between neighbouring HERs need to be developed. In 2005 English Heritage published a national Research Framework (English Heritage 2005b; 2005c). Wales is similarly engaged in producing a national framework and current progress toward this can be seen at [http://www.cpat.org.uk/research]. Scotland is presently at an earlier stage of the process although the need for frameworks is recognised.
!!A.8.4 Access and education
Until recently, apart from a few pioneering HERs, most had limited resources to devote to widening use of their records. Since the Heritage Lottery Fund published a framework document ''Unlocking Britain's Past'' (HLF 1999) updated as ''Unlocking Our Past'' (English Heritage/ALGAO 2005) to guide HER bids with an emphasis on outreach, education and access projects the position has changed. Several HERs in England including Cheshire, Essex, Durham, Herefordshire, Kent, Northumberland, Somerset, and Warwickshire have been successful in securing HLF funding for such projects. In 2002-03, a proof of concept project, Accessing Scotland's Past ([http:\\www.accessingscotlandspast.org.uk]), was piloted between RCAHMS and two Scottish SMRs. Some HERs have also been able to take advantage of other government initiatives, such as the [New Opportunities Fund|http://www.nof.org.uk/](NOF) and the New Libraries Network. All these should enable greater public access to HERs, both directly through the provision of office space and computer access and remotely via libraries, record offices and the internet. The exciting and innovative projects that are now being developed should result in a broader awareness of HERs and their importance. Public interest and enthusiasm for the historic environment and conservation, partially developed through popular television programmes, is also being harnessed to develop a two-way flow of information between HERs and local people with an interest in learning more about, and recording, their local historic environment.
!!A.8.5 Wider perspectives
In recent years, at a national and international level, a number of initiatives have been developed to co-ordinate information systems and services for archaeological and architectural conservation. One example is the Historic Environment Information Resources Network, or HEIRNET, a consortium of UK bodies seeking to facilitate common standards and support communications links between information systems relating to the historic environment. A report, ''HEIRNET: Users and their Uses of HEIRs'' (HEIRNET 2002) prepared for this consortium on the increasing numbers of Historic Environment Information Resources (HEIRS) (see [http://www.britarch.ac.uk/HEIRNET]) recommended that:
*a central register of HEIRs should be created and supported by the community of information systems, which has now been created at [http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/heirnet/index.cfm]
*a technical advisory facility should be established to help projects to use data standards and data structures that assist inter-operability and to bring research results to wider audiences
*funding agencies should take concerted action to ensure that the creators of information systems incorporate accessibility and inter-operability.
Such moves are timely and may help archaeologists improve their input to the new regional organisations recently set up by government (such as regional development agencies, regional cultural consortia). The developing regional structure in England provides an opportunity for establishing improved arrangements for the protection and enhancement of the historic environment through closer co-operation and the development of partnerships between local-authority archaeologists and others with a concern for the historic environment. At the international level there is also a growing trend towards co-operation, both in terms of the creation of international standards such as the Comité International pour la Documentation (CIDOC), and through joint projects funded for example by the various European Community schemes. (See also CARN under A.6.3 above)
!!A.8.6 From SMRs to HERs: evolution or revolution?
The development at both national and local level of a more integrated approach to the management of the historic environment has led to a widening of information sources which are now broader in scope than what was understood by the term 'SMR'. It is in part this which has led to a change of name to ‘Historic Environment Record'. This has proceeded by concensus following discussion by the HER Forum and adopted by EH and ALGAO at their HER working party. Most English and Welsh HERs now contain a record of the built heritage, some contain details of palaeoenvironmental sites and/or links to geological and ecological records. This approach has not yet been adopted in Scotland.
Statutory status, the proposed portal for the historic environment (the Heritage Gateway, a NMRE initiative in collaboration with ALGAO and IHBC see A.2.8), the trend towards integration of archaeology, the built environment and biological records is in line with national government policy towards modernisation. The ''Modernising Government White Paper'' (HMSO 1999) set out a timetable for government departments to deliver services to the public which 'join up' functions currently served by different departments (for Scotland, see [http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Open-scotland], and also the [PastMap|http://jura.rcahms.gov.uk/PASTMAP/start.jsp] project that provides access to the Scottish National Archaeological and Architectural Datasets that are maintained by Historic Scotland, RCAHMS, Scottish Natural Heritage and some SMRs). Government departments are required to develop.a timetable for implementing electronic services that are available for 24 hours each day. These requirements give increased impetus to HERs to enhance their databases, adopting GIS, digitising collections and meeting the ''Benchmarks for Good Practice'' (Chitty 2002) to provide greater public access in line with the Government's stated objective of access for all, not just a few. Overall, these pressures, with the moves towards regional structures by national government, will pose the question of whether the.current structure of HER provision can adequately resource the needs of a more 'joined-up' approach to the historic environment.
Statutory status proposed for England, the proposed portal for the historic environment (the Heritage Gateway, an NMR initiative in collaboration with ALGAO and IHBC), Pastmap in Scotland and Coflein and Historic Wales) and the greater interoperability being provided by FISH through their interoperability toolkit will continue to open up new challenges and opportunities for HERs in the future.
This page (revision-37) was last changed on 17-Sep-2012 12:00 by Alison BennettTop