26th September 2007, 03:54 PM
Vupes .... you have kind of hit the nail on the proverbials... Your judgement of what is or is not up to crtach is personal judgment based on experieince... but across the range we have a very non specific.. vague... complicated ... non-standard curatorial service that varies depending on the day and the region you are in.... one might ask for buildings to be recorded... another might not... one might ask for a building to be recorded but not know if its a good report or not...
take this process (its what we do (should do) already)
1
Prepare the fieldwork
The preparation work relating to the fieldwork comprises all the work that is necessary in order to be able to implement the fieldwork. The fieldwork is carried out on the basis of a Project Outline approved by the competent authority.
CHECK
IMPROVE
2
Implement the fieldwork
The fieldwork covers all activities in the field as prescribed in the Project Outline and agreed with the principal.
CHECK
IMPROVE
3
Interpret the fieldwork
The interpretation of the archaeological field evaluation has to provide answers to the research questions stated in the Project Outline. This is recorded in a final report that has to be approved, after which the field evaluation can be concluded.
CHECK
IMPROVE
End of the process.
now take 3.
1
Assessment of the finds and samples
The finds and samples are assessed by an appropriate specialist with regard to their suitability for analysis with the assessment being recorded in a report.
Senior Specialist/
Senior Archaeologist
OS12
2
Send statement of finds and samples to be deposited to the depot
An estimate is made of the quantity of samples, finds and corresponding documentation to be delivered to the depot.
Medior Archaeologist
3
Analysis of field walking data.
The field walking data are analysed, documented and recorded in a file (data file + report).
Medior Archaeologist
VS02
4
Analysis of contexts
The contexts and structures are analysed, documented and recorded in a file (data file + report).
Medior Archaeologist
OS13
5
Analysis of finds and (borehole) samples
The finds and (borehole) samples are analysed and documented by the respective expert/specialist per finds category. The results are analysed, documented and recorded in a file (data file + report). The analysis is carried out in conditions which guarantee the stability of the material.
Medior Archaeologist/
Junior Specialist
VS03 and OS14
6
Preservation of finds and samples
Finds and samples that have been analysed and selected are preserved in such a way that they can be stored in conditions that are as stable as possible in the (transit) depot.
Senior Specialist
OS17a
7
Temporary storage of analysed and selected finds and samples
Finds and samples that have been analysed and selected are packed, sorted and coded in such a way that they can be stored in conditions that are as stable as possible in the (transit) depot.
Excavation Worker
OS09
8
Reporting
and valuation
The various parts of the archaeological field evaluation (subreports) are assembled in a report. The report contains a valuation, in accordance with the research questions in the PO.
Medior
Archaeologist/
Senior Specialist
VS06/
VS07
9
Selection recommendations
If prescribed in the PO, recommendations are drawn up in accordance with the valuation, the prevailing archaeology policy and the selection criteria currently in force.
Senior Archaeologist
VS08
OK
CHECK
Sections 3.1 to 3.9 are checked by the Senior Archaeologist. The Senior Archaeologist tests whether the valuation described in the report answers the research questions in the Project Outline. If correct, the Senior Archaeologist approves the report and appendices by signing/initialling them. The selection report is part of the archaeological field evaluation report.
IMPROVE
Excavation Worker/Medior Senior Archaeologist/Junior & Senior Specialist
This clearly sets out in one page, what to expect, who should be doing it and what they should do, with cross ref to further information...
I like it becuase for once... its all in one book, not spread between dozens of documents.. and is a clear process... (no reason why the IFA standards and Guidance can't be part of it... )
If I ask which 'standard you require when asking for a Watching Brief... do you have to ask for other elements? DO you ask for detecting for example... and if not why not, if you do, how do you specify it... etc...... Would it not be good just to ask for a Watching Brief, and Professiona Judgement kicks in, within the parameters set down in what is expected for a watching brief... etc.. etc...
keep talking though
"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu
take this process (its what we do (should do) already)
1
Prepare the fieldwork
The preparation work relating to the fieldwork comprises all the work that is necessary in order to be able to implement the fieldwork. The fieldwork is carried out on the basis of a Project Outline approved by the competent authority.
CHECK
IMPROVE
2
Implement the fieldwork
The fieldwork covers all activities in the field as prescribed in the Project Outline and agreed with the principal.
CHECK
IMPROVE
3
Interpret the fieldwork
The interpretation of the archaeological field evaluation has to provide answers to the research questions stated in the Project Outline. This is recorded in a final report that has to be approved, after which the field evaluation can be concluded.
CHECK
IMPROVE
End of the process.
now take 3.
1
Assessment of the finds and samples
The finds and samples are assessed by an appropriate specialist with regard to their suitability for analysis with the assessment being recorded in a report.
Senior Specialist/
Senior Archaeologist
OS12
2
Send statement of finds and samples to be deposited to the depot
An estimate is made of the quantity of samples, finds and corresponding documentation to be delivered to the depot.
Medior Archaeologist
3
Analysis of field walking data.
The field walking data are analysed, documented and recorded in a file (data file + report).
Medior Archaeologist
VS02
4
Analysis of contexts
The contexts and structures are analysed, documented and recorded in a file (data file + report).
Medior Archaeologist
OS13
5
Analysis of finds and (borehole) samples
The finds and (borehole) samples are analysed and documented by the respective expert/specialist per finds category. The results are analysed, documented and recorded in a file (data file + report). The analysis is carried out in conditions which guarantee the stability of the material.
Medior Archaeologist/
Junior Specialist
VS03 and OS14
6
Preservation of finds and samples
Finds and samples that have been analysed and selected are preserved in such a way that they can be stored in conditions that are as stable as possible in the (transit) depot.
Senior Specialist
OS17a
7
Temporary storage of analysed and selected finds and samples
Finds and samples that have been analysed and selected are packed, sorted and coded in such a way that they can be stored in conditions that are as stable as possible in the (transit) depot.
Excavation Worker
OS09
8
Reporting
and valuation
The various parts of the archaeological field evaluation (subreports) are assembled in a report. The report contains a valuation, in accordance with the research questions in the PO.
Medior
Archaeologist/
Senior Specialist
VS06/
VS07
9
Selection recommendations
If prescribed in the PO, recommendations are drawn up in accordance with the valuation, the prevailing archaeology policy and the selection criteria currently in force.
Senior Archaeologist
VS08
OK
CHECK
Sections 3.1 to 3.9 are checked by the Senior Archaeologist. The Senior Archaeologist tests whether the valuation described in the report answers the research questions in the Project Outline. If correct, the Senior Archaeologist approves the report and appendices by signing/initialling them. The selection report is part of the archaeological field evaluation report.
IMPROVE
Excavation Worker/Medior Senior Archaeologist/Junior & Senior Specialist
This clearly sets out in one page, what to expect, who should be doing it and what they should do, with cross ref to further information...
I like it becuase for once... its all in one book, not spread between dozens of documents.. and is a clear process... (no reason why the IFA standards and Guidance can't be part of it... )
If I ask which 'standard you require when asking for a Watching Brief... do you have to ask for other elements? DO you ask for detecting for example... and if not why not, if you do, how do you specify it... etc...... Would it not be good just to ask for a Watching Brief, and Professiona Judgement kicks in, within the parameters set down in what is expected for a watching brief... etc.. etc...
keep talking though
"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu