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Systematic records of archaeological and historic monuments began to be created in 1908 when the Royal Commissions ([RCHME|Glossary#RCHME|target='_blank'], [RCAHMS|Glossary#RCAHMS|target='_blank'], [RCAHMW|Glossary#RCAHMW|target='_blank']) 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|Bibliography#RCHME 1992|target='_blank']). 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|Glossary#RCHME|target='_blank'], [RCAHMS|Glossary#RCAHMS|target='_blank'], [RCAHMW|Glossary#RCAHMW|target='_blank']) 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|Bibliography#RCHME 1992|target='_blank']). In Scotland the cut-off date was initially set at 1707, the date of the union of the English and Scottish parliaments. In Wales no formal cut-off date has ever been set.
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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 system. The Committee of Enquiry into the Arrangements for the Protection of Field Monuments (the ['Walsh' Committee|Glossary#Walsh Committee|target='_blank'], 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|Bibliography#Walsh 1969|target='_blank']). Following publication of the [Walsh report|Glossary#Walsh report|target='_blank'], national networks of archaeological officers and [SMRs|Glossary#SMR|target='_blank'] began to emerge in England and Wales in the 1970s. Oxfordshire is generally credited with establishing the first SMR ([Benson 1974|Bibliography#Benson 1974|target='_blank']). 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 system. The Committee of Enquiry into the Arrangements for the Protection of Field Monuments (the ['Walsh' Committee|Glossary#Walsh Committee|target='_blank'], 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|Bibliography#Walsh 1969|target='_blank']). Following publication of the [Walsh report|Glossary#Walsh report|target='_blank'], national networks of archaeological officers and [SMRs|Glossary#SMR|target='_blank'] began to emerge in England and Wales in the 1970s. Oxfordshire is generally credited with establishing the first SMR ([Benson 1974|Bibliography#Benson 1974|target='_blank']). Similarly between 1974 and 1976, SMRs were established in the four newly formed Welsh Archaeological Trusts ([WATs|Glossary#WATs|target='_blank']) thereby providing a national coverage across Wales.
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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|Glossary#Cadw|target='_blank'], 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.
From their inception the four Welsh SMRs were curated by the Welsh Archaeological Trusts (WATs). Initially some partnerships were established with local authorities, where these employed their own archaeological staff, although over time these all but ceased. 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). Since 2007 the digital elements of four Welsh HERs have been transferred into a single bespoke web based data management system developed the [HEROS|Glossary#HEROS|target='_blank'] partnership.
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The WATs are independent charitable trusts, part funded by the Welsh Government to provide regional archaeological services. Some additional financial support is provided by a number of the local authorities. The Royal Commission for Ancient and Historic Monuments in Wales provides task specific grant aid for maintaining and enhancing the HERs, while funding to support public enquiries is provided by Cadw.
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The Welsh Government, through Cadw, encouraged the Welsh Archaeological Trusts to secure the HERs as publicly accessible records should any Trust cease to operate. Accordingly each record and its assets are now held by a separate charitable Trust, administered by the Trustees of the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts. Alongside this Cadw, through the Strategic Framework for Historic Environment Records in Wales, has recognised the HER Benchmarks for Good Practice ([Chitty 2002|Bibliography#Chitty 2002|target='_blank']) and funding for the HERs from the RCAHMW has been targeted to enable Welsh HERs in the first instance to achieve the stage one benchmarks. A new Heritage Bill is expected for Wales in 2014-15 which will consider the statutory status of Welsh HERs.
From the late 1980s, [Cadw|Glossary#Cadw|target='_blank'], and from 1989 to 2014 the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments in Wales ([RCAHMW|Glossary#RCAHMW|target='_blank']), have taken a more formal role in Welsh HERs, including direct funding to support their operation. Initiatives have come from the Extended National Database for Wales partnership, the Strategic Framework for Historic Environment Records in Wales working group and now the Welsh Strategic Planning Board's Records Co-ordination Group, each of which comprise representatives from Wales' various national, regional and local record keepers. The Welsh Government, through Cadw, encouraged the Welsh Archaeological Trusts to secure the HERs as publicly accessible records should any Trust cease to operate. Accordingly each record and its assets are now held by a separate charitable Trust, administered by the Trustees of the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts. Alongside this Cadw, through the Strategic Framework for Historic Environment Records in Wales, has recognised, and slightly amended, the HER Benchmarks for Good Practice ([Chitty 2002|Bibliography#Chitty 2002|target='_blank']) and funding for the HERs was targeted to enable Welsh HERs to achieve the stage one benchmarks.
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In March 2016 the [Historic Environment (Wales) Act|Glossary#Historic Environment (Wales) Act|target='_blank'] came into force. This charged Welsh Ministers with a statutory duty to maintain Wales' Historic Environment Records thus making Wales' HERs the first statutory HERs in Europe.
This page (revision-41) was last changed on 09-Jan-2019 14:45 by Nick BoldriniTop