Help

[Digger]

Trying to find out if the PAGODA report and the AIP(?) report are one and the same or separate beasties!

[BAJR Host]

As far as I know these are separate..

the PAGODA report
Lane, J. & Vaughan, S., 1992, 'An Evaluation of the Impact of PPG16 on Archaeology and Planning', Pagoda Associates, London.

The AIP is an ongoing project..



"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[voice of reason]

The initial Pagoda report was an early look at the impact of PPG16 - called 'An evaluation of the impact of PPG-16 on archaeology and planning'. This was followed up by a bigger study - see http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/ArchRev/Rev95_6/intro.htm

In their own words - a second review of this important document was considered desirable and Review of the implementation of PPG-16, archaeology and planning undertaken by Roger Tym and partners and Pagoda Associates Ltd was published in April 1995. This review went beyond the areas covered earlier to include issues such as the post-approval monitoring of planning conditions and it quantified for the first time the extent to which archaeological considerations impinge on the planning process.

The AIP (Archaeological Investigations Project)is an ongoing process, run out of Bournemouth University - see http://csweb.bournemouth.ac.uk/aip/methodol.htm

The project involves AIP researchers visiting the offices of archaeological curators, contractors and consultants, primarily to access archive copies of 'client reports', i.e. desk-based assessments, field evaluations, post-planning determination projects, research projects, building surveys, estate management surveys and geophysical investigations. We attempt to visit every SMR in the country as well as all archaeological units/trusts.

[vulpes]

quote:We attempt to visit every SMR in the country as well as all archaeological units/trusts.

They do. But they don't spend very long in each one so I would question whether the information gathered is of any great detail. Perhaps a more detailed study focusing on a smaller geographical area and spending more time looking in detail at outcomes and quality would be of more use.

[Digger]

Thanks for that! Quite surprised at this end when I asked some of the older bods around, just got blank stares! Actuall doing just that Vulpes, hence the need for relative lit. Thanks again all.

[vulpes]

Good to hear. Let the board know when published please.

[Anna Stocks]

Posted on behalf of Bronwen Russell - AIP Project Manager:

"I would take issue with the assertion that AIP researchers don't spent long at each organisation. We have developed, over the last 10 years or so, a very detailed database and read every report for the year we are collating in order to record the essential information and summarize the work undertaken. The database is used to record a raft of information about each project including sections on land-use, prompt, known archaeology, methods, summaries, bibliographic details to mention but a few.

AIP gathers data relating to appraisals and detailed appraisals, desk-based assessments, field evaluations, environmental statements, post-determination and non-planning related events, estate management surveys, building surveys and geophysical surveys.

An online yearly gazetteer produced from the data gathering process http://csweb.bournemouth.ac.uk/aip/ where there is also an online search facility.

In addition to this the data is analysed to provide an overview of the scope and nature of archaeological activity and in England. In 2002 'Archaeology after PPG16 Archaeological investigations in England 1990-1999' Darvill.T and Russell. B was published (some printed copies still available) and AIP are currently producing the next Five-year review.

The data we record can be useful to the archaeological community in a number of ways and in the past has been used by university research students, regional and national research projects, HER enhancement as well as others."


For further information Bronwen can be contacted via the AIP web-page.

[Anna Stocks]

PS. For my own 2'pence worth, I don't think has ever been stated that the data collated for AIP is a replacement for someone looking at the actual report - however, it does act an index, enabling people to discover about fieldwork which is only published as grey literature. For example if you wanted to know about Roman certain archaeological features (e.g. ovens) discovered within an area in a certain time period - AIP's database could be used to find out what excavations (and where these were located) recorded the specific feature . You would then know which reports to target for further information (if AIP summary didn't contain enough info).

[Anna Stocks]

Or, in Bron's better put words...

Obviously the AIP database is not designed to take the place of the grey literature but it enables researchers to discover the existence of such a report and then locate it to consult it in full. It also enables queries to be run to at least get an idea of the quantities and distribution of reports/investigations/sites which are in existence or have been discovered to facilitate planning for further study to be undertaken

[BAJR Host]

and I have to say, AIP are jolly nice people, and as said _ provide an additonal service and resource.

thanks to AIP coming here and explaining in person.... which shows how interactive they are.

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu