The Failure of Commercial Archaeology in the UK – Can it be fixed?

Описание: Since the publication of PPG 16 in November 1990, UK archaeology has become increasingly commercialised. This has resulted in an increase in the number of sites under investigation and as a consequence, an increase in the number of archaeological employees. This paper argues, however, that commercial archaeology has failed to increase accessibility or understanding of the archaeological resource for a number of reasons:

• Increasingly limited access to and availability of archaeological archives
• A less than proportionate increase in the number of analytical/synthetic reports,
• A widening gap between commercial and academic/research archaeology,
• A failure to fully engage digital/social media in promoting and disseminating the results of archaeological research
• Despite increases in funding, staffing and available projects, commercial archaeology has failed to create a stable career structure in UK archaeology.

The paper will suggest, however, that all is not lost. The future development of our discipline will depend upon confronting, rather than deflecting, issues raised as a result of the commercialisation of archaeology. UK commercial archaeology can address most, if not all, of these issues and in doing so, return archaeology to a more progressive agenda: one better suited to the long-term future conservation, access, and understanding of the archaeological resource.

Kevin Woolridge