Memorandum submitted by the Society of
Museum Archaeologists
The Society of Museum Archaeologists (SMA) would
like to participate in the inquiry into the heritage sector being
undertaken by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee. We regard
ourselves as a stakeholder because of our role as the leading
body representing archaeologists working in museums.
The SMA was founded in 1975 and currently has
a membership of around 260, comprising individuals and institutions
in England, Wales and Scotland. We also have very close links
with our sister organisation, the Scottish Society of Museum Archaeologists.
The Society exists to promote museum involvement in all aspects
of archaeology and emphasise the unique contribution of museums
to the essential unity of the archaeological profession; to promote
greater public understanding of the archaeological past, and a
fuller public appreciation of the importance of archaeology; to
campaign for the acceptance of museums as guardians of a vital
part of the nation's heritage and as the appropriate location
for the storage and interpretation of all archaeological material;
and to develop a coherent philosophy of the role of archaeologists
in museums.
This submission is partly based on the memorandum
prepared by the SMA for the All Party Parliamentary Archaeology
Group in November 2001. It has been revised and expanded to take
account of current circumstances.
The SMA believes that the Department for Culture,
Media and Sport should identify the following amongst its priorities
in the forthcoming Heritage White Paper:
1. ADEQUATE FUNDING
OF MUSEUMS
A unique aspect of our museums is the richness
of their archaeological collections and their ability to inspire
interest and engagement in a sense of place and also in the rich
diversity of humanity. And yet, the poor infrastructure of local
authority museums means that resources are not always located
or shared in the best way. The establishment of regional museum
hubs under the Renaissance programme of action and the planned
Subject Specialist Network for archaeology, if properly funded,
have the potential to help here and the Government should continue
to support both these initiatives in the future. The strength
of current and proposed resource centres at regional or sub-regional
level to support local museum provision should also be recognised
and encouraged by Government action.
2. TRANSFERRING
ARCHIVES TO
MUSEUMS
There is currently no formal recognition within
the UK archaeological process of the need to prepare archaeological
archives appropriately for long-term access and preservation.
The Society and the museum community have developed standards
for such preparation, relevant to field archaeologists, archaeological
curators and museum professionals (see Selection, Retention and
Dispersal of Archaeological Collections Guidelines 1993 and Towards
an Accessible Archaeological Archive Guidelines 1995). However,
these lack the weight and impact necessary to guarantee their
effectiveness and ensure an accessible archive. The Government
and its advisors should ensure that due attention is given to
improving this situation with English Heritage maintaining a leading
role in future discussions between museum and field archaeologists.
3. MAKING ARCHAEOLOGICAL
COLLECTIONS ACCESSIBLE
Archaeological archives in museums are frequently
regarded within and outside the museum community as "difficult
collections", the reserve of the specialist with the exception
of the more glamorous items. However, this is not the case as
the findings of the recent SMA Art of Archaeology Initiative demonstrate
(see The Art of Archaeology: The Museum Archaeologist Vol 28).
The broader potential of the archaeological archive in contributing
towards the social purpose of museums needs stronger attention.
The DCMS should encourage creative thinking in this area and ensure
that it is given due attention by the Museums Libraries and Archives
Council.
4. RATIONALISING
ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS
A review of archaeological collections should
be undertaken by museums to identify holdings of little benefit
for current or future use. This should focus on the research potential
of collections, and the most appropriate usage which should include
the option of disposal. This review needs to be guided by formalised
standards agreed by the archaeological community and supported
by Government with appropriate funding through the regional museum
hubs and the subject specialist networks.
5. MAKING THE
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROCESS
ACCESSIBLE
Fragmentation and commercialisation of the archaeological
process during the last 15 years has resulted in the disenfranchisement
of the public from the archaeological process. Museums, once the
hub of field activity in a local area, were able to draw on community
involvement. Now archaeology is undertaken by commercial units
often based outside a locality. New ways of creating and resourcing
opportunities for community archaeology need to be found with
museums playing a key role. Again the support of Government is
vital here.
6. PORTABLE ANTIQUITIES
Much has been achieved in this area in recent
years due to the establishment of the Portable Antiquities Scheme
and the SMA welcomes the Government's decision to fully fund the
scheme after April 2006. However, much remains to be done and
the DCMS should support and promote initiatives seeking to enhance
protection for British and foreign portable antiquities from illicit
looting and trade, and that strive to improve acquisition of information
and artefacts for wider public benefit.
7. EROSION OF
THE SKILLS
BASE
Post-entry training in museums must address
the decline in connoisseurship. We are in danger of losing those
traditional skills which characterised a museum curator—an
affinity for and knowledge of objects. The time has come to attempt
to reverse this trend and place much more emphasis on artefact
skills through encouraging museum staff to attend training courses
such as those run by the SMA. There is also much merit in the
recent suggestion, made in the Museums Journal (June 2005), that
a system of museum apprenticeships be established. 20 years ago
Leicestershire Museums provided such an opportunity and it is
time that museum apprenticeships were re-introduced into the museum
sector. The DCMS should commission a review of training in museum
archaeology by an appropriately qualified individual or organisation.
8. RESEARCH CULTURE
A strong research culture in museums can only
be built and sustained if museum governing bodies, especially
in the local authority sector, are willing to devote resources
to sustain the work of collections specialists. This is likely
to become increasing difficult to achieve even if the will is
there. In recent years the SMA has watched with growing alarm
the steady erosion of archaeological collections expertise in
museums. Posts have been deleted or specialist curators have been
required to take on additional management duties. The situation
has been compounded by a general decline in artefact studies.
Many university undergraduate courses devote little or no time
to this area. In the short term it is unrealistic to expect an
increase in curatorial posts, and instead we have to attempt to
make the expertise that currently exists more widely available.
There are encouraging signs that this may be possible through
the Regional Hubs and the Subject Specialist Network for Archaeology
and the DCMS should support the continuing funding of these initiatives
in the forthcoming comprehensive spending round.
The Society would very much welcome the opportunity
to present oral evidence in front of the Select Committee.
18 January 2006
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