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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). In Scotland the cut-off date was initially set at 1707, the date of the union of the English and Scottish parliaments.
!The Early Days
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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In fact, the [OS|Glossary#OS|target='_blank'] had been depicting antiquities on maps since 1791. From the 1920s, its Archaeology Division developed a card-index system and a network of local correspondents provided this with information. Local records of field monuments and finds, often based on information collected by these correspondents, began to be developed by many museums.
In fact, the [OS|Glossary#OS|target='_blank'] had been depicting antiquities on maps since 1791. From the 1920s, its [Archaeology Division|Glossary#OS Archaeology Division|target='_blank'] developed a card-index system and a network of local correspondents provided this with information. Local records of field monuments and finds, often based on information collected by these correspondents, began to be developed by many museums.
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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). 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). 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, 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|Bibliography#Walsh 1969|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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!The 1980's and 1990's
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During the 1980s and 1990s, the respective government departments, Royal Commissions and national agencies were concerned with the structure, content and development of local SMRs. In England, [English Heritage|Glossary#English Heritage|target='_blank'] (and earlier the Department of the Environment (DoE)) and the RCHME) supported enhancement projects and initial computerisation based on the [AN32|Glossary#AN32|target='_blank'] recording form for scheduled monuments and the ['Superfile'|Glossary#Superfile Package|target='_blank'] database program. In 1989 the RCHME was given the lead role in respect of SMRs (continued by EH following merger) and subsequently supported fieldwork and recording projects in SMRs, and the development of data and recording standards (such as RCHME 1993). During the 1990s the RCHME assisted in the development of software for SMRs. This culminated in the launch in 1998 of an SMR software package [(Historic Buildings, Sites and Monuments Records (HBSMR))|Glossary#HBSMR|target='_blank'] jointly developed with [ALGAO|Glossary#ALGAO UK|target='_blank'] and [exeGesIS SDM Ltd|Glossary#exeGesIS SDM Ltd|target='_blank'].
During the 1980s and 1990s, the respective government departments, Royal Commissions and national agencies were concerned with the structure, content and development of local SMRs. In England, [English Heritage|Glossary#English Heritage|target='_blank'] (and earlier the Department of the Environment (DoE)) and the RCHME) supported enhancement projects and initial computerisation based on the [AN32|Glossary#AN32|target='_blank'] recording form for scheduled monuments and the ['Superfile'|Glossary#Superfile Package|target='_blank'] database program. In 1989 the RCHME was given the lead role in respect of SMRs (continued by EH following merger) and subsequently supported fieldwork and recording projects in SMRs, and the development of data and recording standards (such as [RCHME and ACAO 1993|Bibliography#RCHME and ACAO 1993a|target='_blank']). During the 1990s the RCHME assisted in the development of software for SMRs. This culminated in the launch in 1998 of an SMR software package [(Historic Buildings, Sites and Monuments Records (HBSMR))|Glossary#HBSMR|target='_blank'] jointly developed with [ALGAO|Glossary#ALGAO UK|target='_blank'] and [exeGesIS SDM Ltd|Glossary#exeGesIS SDM Ltd|target='_blank'].
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In Scotland equivalent roles were played by the Scottish Development Department's Historic Buildings and Monuments Division, later [Historic Scotland|Glossary#Historic Scotland|target='_blank'], and the [RCAHMS|Glossary#RCAHMS|target='_blank']. 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|Glossary#SMR Forum (Scotland)|target='_blank']. 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|Glossary#Historic Scotland|target='_blank'], and the [RCAHMS|Glossary#RCAHMS|target='_blank']. 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 HERs in Scotland is almost complete, the focus of attention of both the national bodies and the local HERs has switched to securing a national strategy for HER development through the auspices of the Scottish [SMR Forum|Glossary#SMR Forum|target='_blank'].
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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).
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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.
Following the publication of This Common Inheritance ([DoE 1990b|Bibliography#DoE 1990b|target='_blank']), government planning guidance was issued in the national areas. The [DoE's|Glossary#DoE|target='_blank'] Planning Policy Guidance Note 16: Archaeology and Planning (PPG16) appeared in 1990 ([DoE 1990a|Bibliography#DoE 1990a|target='_blank']), for England, in 1991 ([Welsh Office 1991|Bibliography#Welsh Office 1991|target='_blank']) for Wales and for Scotland National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 5 ([SDD 1994a|Bibliography#SDD 1994a|target='_blank']) and Planning Advice Note (PAN) 42 in 1994 ([SDD 1994b)|Bibliography#SDD 1994b|target='_blank']. These recognised the importance of archaeological sites and emphasised both that archaeology is a material consideration in making planning decisions and the key role of SMRs in providing information for decision-making. Following the publication of the planning guidance, the 1990s saw a significant rise in the number of archaeological projects carried out in response to development proposals. This increased both the amount of information entering SMRs and the demand for that information from users. These changes sometimes gave rise to backlogs as SMR staff fulfilled the dual roles of planning advisor and also SMR manager. Another consequence of the planning guidance was competitive tendering for archaeological projects and it is now normal for a number of archaeological contractors (whether local authority units or independent companies) to compete for work in any area. This has emphasised the importance of SMRs as a central access point for information.
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Following the publication of This Common Inheritance (DoE 1990b), government planning guidance was issued in the national areas. The [DoE's|Glossary#DoE|target='_blank'] Planning Policy Guidance Note 16: Archaeology and Planning (PPG16) appeared in 1990 (DOE 1990a), for England, in 1991 (Welsh Office 1991) for Wales and for Scotland National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 5 (SDD 1994a) and Planning Advice Note (PAN) 42 in 1994 [(SDD 1994b)| http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/1994/01/17081/21711|target='_blank']. These recognised the importance of archaeological sites and emphasised both that archaeology is a material consideration in making planning decisions and the key role of SMRs in providing information for decision-making. Following the publication of the planning guidance, the 1990s saw a significant rise in the number of archaeological projects carried out in response to development proposals. This increased both the amount of information entering SMRs and the demand for that information from users. These changes sometimes gave rise to backlogs as SMR staff fulfilled the dual roles of planning advisor and also SMR manager. Another consequence of the planning guidance was competitive tendering for archaeological projects and it is now normal for a number of archaeological contractors (whether local authority units or independent companies) to compete for work in any area. This has emphasised the importance of SMRs as a central access point for information.
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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|Glossary#UAD|target='_blank']) 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. It 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.
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This has not been paralleled by similar mergers in Wales or Scotland. In Scotland, Historic Scotland and the RCAHMS remain separate bodies. Historic Scotland provides some SMR support grant and relies on the RCAHMS for technical advice in this respect. To facilitate co-ordination of SMR development, a [Scottish SMR Forum|Glossary#SMRForumScotland|target='_blank'], comprising Historic Scotland, the RCAHMS, the Scottish SMRs, and the [Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)|Glossary#COSLA|target='_blank'], was formed in 2000. The Forum has produced an unpublished report of the Operational Roles of SMRs and published a Co-Operation statement between Scottish SMRs and the [RCAHMS|http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/local-authority-archaeological-liaison-project.html]. Within the Scottish SMR Forum, the SMR Technical Working Group discusses information related issues. At the end of 2004 the SMR Forum participants agreed in principle to work together to incorporate online SMR data into [Pastmap|http://www.pastmap.org] which currently provides access via the internet to GIS data on [scheduled ancient monuments|Glossary#SAM|target='_blank'], [listed buildings|Glossary#Listed buildings|target='_blank'], the records of the NMRS ([Canmore|Glossary#Canmore|target='_blank']), and Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes provided by Scottish Natural Heritage. SMR information began to be incorporated in [Pastmap|Glossary#Pastmap|target='_blank'] from late 2005 with more SMRs due to add their data in due course.
!The New Millenium
In 2007 the digital elements of the four Welsh HERs were transferred into a single bespoke web based data management system developed by the [HEROS|Glossary#HEROS|target='_blank'] partnership.
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In February 2000 English Heritage was asked by the Government - jointly by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) - to co-ordinate an important and wide-ranging review of all policies relating to the historic environment. This was published as [Power of Place: The future of the historic environment|http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/power-of-place/] (English Heritage 2000). In its response, [The Historic Environment: A Force for Our Future|http://www.tourisminsights.info/ONLINEPUB/DCMS/DCMS%20PDFS/HISTORIC%20ENV%20FORCE%20-%201.pdf] (DCMS 2001), the Government committed itself to holding a consultation on the future of HERs. This was carried out in 2003 and included a draft two-stage benchmarking standard Historic Environment Records: Benchmarks for Good Practice (Chitty 2002). The results were published together with the findings of the [Heritage Protection Review as Review of Heritage Protection: The Way Forward|http://www.architecture.com/Files/RIBAHoldings/PolicyAndInternationalRelations/Policy/PublicAffairs/DCMSHeritageReview.pdf] (DCMS 2004). The results showed support for statutory status and standards. In parallel English Heritage commissioned a report assessing the resources required to bring all the HERs in England up to the 1st stage benchmark ([Baker, Chitty and Edwards 2004|https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=HERFORUM&a=get&f=/Reports/SMRRA-Main-RepAppndx.pdf|target='_blank']).
English Heritage was split in 2015. One of the two successor bodies, [Historic England|Glossary#Historic England|target='_blank'] 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. It continues to work to support inter-interoperability between local and national heritage information records.
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There has been no equivalent support for statutory status for SMRs from the Scottish Executive, but the issue of standards is being covered by the Scottish SMR Forum and a report, which will set out digital standards for data submission to SMRs by archaeological contractors, has been prepared with the assistance of grant aid from Historic Scotland and is available via the internet – See [ASPIRE|Glossary#ASPIRE|target='_blank'].
In Scotland, Historic Scotland and the RCAHMS were merged in October 2015 to form a single organisation, Historic Environment Scotland (HES). To facilitate co-ordination of HER development, a [Scottish SMR Forum|Glossary#SMRForum|target='_blank'] was formed in 2000 and comprises Scottish HERs, Historic Environment Scotland, and the National Trust for Scotland. Within the Scottish SMR Forum, the SMR Technical Working Group discusses information related issues and the technical aspects of the work of the Forum. At the end of 2004 the SMR Forum participants agreed in principle to work together to incorporate online HER data into [Pastmap|Glossary#Pastmap|target='_blank'] . PastMap provides map-based information about the historic environment, and it brings together information from several sources, including Canmore, HES designation data (including Listed Buildings, Scheduled Monuments, Battlefields, Gardens and Designed Landscapes, Marine Protected Areas, and World Heritage Sites), HER data, and local authority Conservation Areas.
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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) 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.
In February 2000 English Heritage was asked by the Government - jointly by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) - to co-ordinate an important and wide-ranging review of all policies relating to the historic environment. This was published as [Power of Place: The future of the historic environment (English Heritage 2000)|Bibliography#English Heritage 2000|target='_blank']. In its response, [The Historic Environment: A Force for Our Future (DCMS 2001)|Bibliography#DCMS 2001|target='_blank'], the Government committed itself to holding a consultation on the future of HERs. This was carried out in 2003 and included a draft two-stage benchmarking standard Historic Environment Records: Benchmarks for Good Practice ([Chitty 2002|Bibliography#Chitty 2002|target='_blank']). The results were published together with the findings of the [Heritage Protection Review as Review of Heritage Protection: The Way Forward (DCMS 2004)|Bibliography#DCMS 2004|target='_blank']. The results showed support for statutory status and standards. In parallel English Heritage commissioned a report assessing the resources required to bring all the HERs in England up to the 1st stage benchmark ([Baker, Chitty and Edwards 2004|Bibliography#Baker, Chitty and Edwards 2004|target='_blank']).
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The development of SMRs and HERs is more fully described elsewhere (for example in Baker 1999a, 1999b, Benson 1974, Burrow 1984, Gilman 1996 and [2004|http://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue15/gilman_toc.html], RCHME 1993. Hunter and Ralston 1993 and 2006, and Robinson 2000).
There has been no equivalent support for statutory status for SMRs from Scottish Government, but the issue of standards is being covered by the Scottish SMR Forum and the SHED (Scotland's Historic Environment Data) Strategy.
From the late 1980s [Cadw|Glossary#Cadw|target='_blank'] and 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 monitoring work programmes and direct funding to support their operation. Initiatives have come from the [Extended National Database|Glossary#Extended National Database|target='_blank'] 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 group comprising representatives from Wales' various national, regional and local record curators. 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.
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.
The development of SMRs and HERs is more fully described elsewhere (for example in [Baker 1999a|Bibliography#Baker 1999a|target='_blank'], [Baker 1999b|Bibliography#Baker 1999b|target='_blank'], [Benson 1974|Bibliography#Benson 1974|target='_blank'], [Burrow 1984|Bibliography#Burrow 1984|target='_blank'], [Gilman 1996|Bibliography#Gilman 1996|target='_blank'], [Gilman 2004|Bibliography#Gilman 2004|target='_blank'], [RCHME and ACAO 1993|Bibliography#RCHME and ACAO 1993a|target='_blank'], [Hunter and Ralston 2006|Bibliography#Hunter and Ralston 2006|target='_blank'] and [Robinson 2000|Bibliography#Robinson 2000|target='_blank']).
This page (revision-41) was last changed on 09-Jan-2019 14:45 by Nick Boldrini Top