El IPAM: un posible mecanismo

The London archaeological holdings represent a vast research resource. Not just for understanding London, but because of London’s size and historical international role, for British, European and indeed world archaeology. A central tenet of the LAARC has therefore been to make its holdings as accessible as possible, both physically and intellectually. Literal physical access has been achieved, although it is recognized that many who would want to use the data in LAARC are unable to visit London. This has obviously turned us towards the use of digital data and the internet.

The huge number and complexity of the archaeological records held make intellectual access more difficult. Standardized methods of recording and recog- nizing types of data are therefore essential. Here we face a massive challenge. Much of the material already held in the LAARC is recorded to variable standards using many different methodologies.

LAARC as it stands at present is close to a regional version of the proposed Dutch National Reference collection on the basis of the pottery reference collections for forms and fabrics and the published catalogues, by the fact that it holds the vast majority of physical archaeological material records and objects from London; and in that the Museum of London has historically undertaken the vast majority of archaeology in London and has developed the vast majority of the systems for recording and listing archaeological remains. As such by default most archaeologists working in London use MoL recording systems and reference collections and prepare archives for deposition in LAARC to laid down MoL guidance. But still only a relatively small percentage of the data held in the LAARC is easily accessible.

However, LAARC has not set out to take on a regulatory role – and only has a locus of responsibility to do this through the deposition of archives. Its main raison d’être is to act as an archive and as a research centre. Although both of these requirements do call on standardization and the need for reference collections.

Archaeology as it operates in England at present has not got the regulatory, or statutory power to insist on practitioners using set standards or systems; although it is moving in this direction. The archaeological community tends to aspire to best practice in the use of regional systems and reference collections but funding does not always allow this to happen. A current initiative in London that might see the archaeologists responsible for managing and monitoring archaeological fieldwork through the planning system moving to and becoming part of the LAARC, would change this situation for the better. But at present this is no more than a suggestion.

References

Hall, J. and H. Swain, 2000. Roman Boxes for London’s Schools: an outreach service by the Museum of London. In: P.M. McManus (ed.), Archaeological Displays and the Public. London: Architype Publications Ltd.

Martin, D., 2002. Great excavations, Museum Practice 19, Volume 7 No.1, 21-23.

McAdam, E., T. Nixon, H. Swain, and R. Tomber (eds), 2002. A Research Framework For London Archaeology 2002. Museum of London.

Merriman, N. and H. Swain, 1999. Archaeological Archives: Serving the Public Interest?, European Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 2 No. 2, 249-267.

Museum of London Archaeology Service, 2000. The Archaeology of Greater London. London: MoLAS.

Ross, C. and H. Swain, 2001. Museum of London: 25 Years. London: Museum of London.

Sheppard, F., 1991. The Treasury of London’s Past. London: HMSO. Swain, H., 1998. A Survey of Archaeological Archives in England. London: Museums and Galleries Commission.

1 Introduction

Archaeologists acknowledge the importance of recording and archiving the results of their work to the highest standards. However sometimes it can be a struggle to find the resources to properly care for archaeological finds and records and perhaps more importantly to provide good access to this material and use it for meaningful research.

The advent of the digital age has resulted in many institutions finding new and innovative ways of getting the results of archaeology out to the world. The

eRC project is a fine example of such an initiative. Others range from individual

specialist group websites to the much wider vision of a project like AREA, whose aim is to create new possibilities for the promotion and preservation of archives of European archaeology. Along with this development are other exciting changes in the way that the physical remains of archaeology are being made far more accessible to both existing and new audiences, such as the London based archaeological resource centre, the LAARC. This new develop- ment aims to collect and care for, provide access to and encourage research into, the finds and records of archaeological work in London. Also, within England, information about archaeology is about to become an integral part of information about the whole heritage environment through the develop- ment of heritage environment records.

The difficulty is that such forward thinking initiatives can be hampered by a lack of basic infrastructure which supports access to the finds and information. In the UK the Archaeological Archives Forum, a consortium of all the major archaeological bodies in the UK, are working hard to build this infrastructure, thus ensuring that archaeological finds and records are properly cared for, documented and made fully accessible. It is important to note that in the UK we have recognised that success will only be achieved if all sectors involved in the archaeological process work together.

The Archaeological Archives Forum are working on three major challenges: issues regarding the deposition of archives in a suitable repository, the means of providing full and interactive access to archives and ensuring that documen- tation and finding aids properly facilitate the researcher.