Southport consultation

[Relictor]

I would like to see the consultation really address Article 3 of the Valletta Convention (1992), particularly 3.ii, and not just gloss over it as EH did in 2001

It took our government almost 10 years to ratify this convention, how long is going to take the Heritage sector to adapt?

Article 3[INDENT]To preserve the archaeological heritage and guarantee the scientific significance of archaeological research work, each Party undertakes: [/INDENT][INDENT]i to apply procedures for the authorisation and supervision of excavation and other archaeological activities in such a way as: [/INDENT][INDENT]a to prevent any illicit excavation or removal of elements of the archaeological heritage; [/INDENT][INDENT]b to ensure that archaeological excavations and prospecting are undertaken in a scientific manner and provided that[/INDENT]

• non-destructive methods of investigation are applied wherever possible;
  
• the elements of the archaeological heritage are not uncovered or left exposed during or after excavation without provision being made for their proper preservation, conservation and management;
  

[INDENT]ii to ensure that excavations and other potentially destructive techniques are carried out only by qualified, specially authorised persons;

iii to subject to specific prior authorisation, whenever foreseen by the domestic law of the State, the use of metal detectors and any other detection equipment or process for archaeological investigation
[/INDENT]