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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.
!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|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, 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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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 (Scotland)|target='_blank'].
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.
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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 was split in 2015 one of the two succesor 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.
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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In Scotland, Historic Scotland and the RCAHMS were merged in October 2015 to form a single organisation, Historic Environment Scotland. To facilitate co-ordination of HER development, a [Scottish SMR Forum|Glossary#SMRForumScotland|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.
!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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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.
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|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 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.
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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 Boldrini Top