Archaeological Sites in Britain - Essay Example

Archaeological Sites in Britain – Legal Order No. 455646 Introduction Britain has an archaeological ancient past that serves to solve the many riddles that confront Briton’s in the modern contemporary world. The British government has the National planning policy guidelines (NPPG) for Scotland and the PPG regulations for England and Wales to help preserve the archaeological remains that have been discovered and work in tandem with other departments such as conservation, statutory undertakers, developers, owners and other departments of the government. The British government aims at lending all support monetary and otherwise in order to preserve the heritage of the country because it understands that it is the only evidence of the pre-historic periods that existed and ensures that the legislation to meet these needs are properly carried out. The Ancient Monument Protections Act of 1882 was first imposed by the British parliament as a protective measure for all archaeological sites in Britain. The sites include ancient buildings, monuments, caves etc. The Protection for Military Remains Act of 1986 takes care of vehicles, vessels and other aircraft. The Archaeological Heritage Management also known as the Archaeological Resource Management is instrumental in conserving and managing the ancient archaeological sites of Britain. Their chief focus relates to the preservation, age and the use of the different archaeological resources available to us. In lieu of modern planning and development that poses a threat to the archaeological sites, the Archaeological Source Management Department devise ways and means of mitigating the adverse impact it could have on archaeological sites. In assessing the physical condition of any archaeological site, modern methodology and techniques are used to analyze, monitor and document the extent of deterioration and try to find the best means to preserve or conserve these ancient sites. In this essay we will attempt to look at the legislation that governs the conservation of archaeological sites and monuments so that we gain a better understanding of how important such laws are to the cause of preserving them. In Scotland alone, there are about 70,000 monuments and sites that are presently preserved under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The Secretary of State for Scotland plays a major role in the planning system. The local authorities are also responsible for the preservation and safeguarding of such archaeological sites and contribute towards the economy by helping with landscaping and other amenities for development of educational and recreational purposes. Methods of Preservation - 1) Reburial of Archaeological sites Important National sites and monuments are exceptionally taken care of by using the expertise of the different departments during archaeological excavations. The information and findings of a national importance and therefore extreme care is taken to preserve every bit of historic evidence that is available. The methods used for the preservation of such sites are time consuming and laborious and involves a lot of money. There are different methods used to preserve archaeological remains. One such method that is quite popular now is the reburial of archaeological sites in order to conserve them. The practice of once again returning an excavated site to its original position is what is called reburial of backfilling. In the present times reburial is considered to be one of the best viable practices for preserving excavated sites and is used as a conservational measure for protecting them. Mosaics and other different kinds of material are used for the process of preservation instead of soil. This method requires a lot of technical expertise because it is important to keep its original content as far as possible. 2) Site Stabilization through Erosion control The British Government lends great support in the protection and preservation of archaeological sites as it understands that it is very important to stabilize an archaeological site in order to prevent further damage. To preserve the archaeological sites another method used is ‘Erosion control’ using different methods and techniques adapted from other fields such as engineering and geology to help in controlling the erosion of the archaeological site by controlling the erosion brought about by the sun, water, wind and soil. The other methods used for the preservation process are growing of vegetation over the site and the use of other geosynthetic material would go a long way in conserving the archaeological site. 3) The Human Tissues Act (HTA) Mummification In a sensational archaeological discovery in Bronze Age Britain archaeologist found that they practiced “mummy culture”. (David Keys, 2009) David Keys an archeological journalist explains how Dr. Mike Pearson and his team from Sheffield University excavated two mummified bodies that had been buried in a prehistoric house at Cladh Hallan in South Vist. (David Keys, 2009) This particular excavation is one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever made in Britain. Intricate scientific tests such as the radio carbon heating of bones and other materials on the site were carried out and many startling facts came to be known. The mummified bodies belonged to a male and female who had died between 1,300 -1,600 B.C but were left unburied for a very long period of time. (David Keys, 2009) On closer examination at the excavation site archaeologist found that the bodies had been preserved by smoking as they had discovered a smokery at the site of Clad Hallan. Some believe that the bodies could have been temporarily placed in a peat bog and preserved as this technique was well known to the pre-historic people in Britain. Modern forensic techniques used for the test of how the bodies were preserved proved that these bodies had been kept in a peat bog long enough to demineralise the bones and tan the skin and sinews that held that the body framework together. . (David Keys, 2009) In addition to this forensic archaeologists carried out a mercury porosimetry test where mercury is forced into a container which has the bone that has to be tested for the extent of bacterial damage. The mercury enters the tiny holes caused by the bacterial attack and gauges the extent of damage. The tests proved that the bodies had not been allowed to decompose for long as they had been placed in the peat bog soon after evisceration. The scientific tests also justify the reason for mummification by the ancient Britons as they had a tradition of great reverence to their ancestors (David Keys, 2009) because they believed that they possessed protective powers and could be an intervening factor between the God’s and cosmic spirits to protect their people. (David Keys, 2009) The Human Tissue Act of 1961 had to be strictly adhered to when working with human remains, but in 2004 this Act was revised to bridge the gap within the legal framework and now under the revised Act, a consent is not necessary to seize or retain human material for the purpose of criminal justice. www.forensicarchaeology.org/?page_id=16 The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 has proved its efficacy when working in accordance with the mandates of Federal Land Management and other agencies in the preservation of archaeological sites. The British government helps by funding the special training of archaeologists with the latest state of the art equipment and technology so as to preserve the cultural and historical sites to the best of their ability without altering its originality. England’s government linked advisor is English Heritage who is responsible for the preservation of all archaeological resources and historic monuments. This organization conducts field surveys on archaeological sites on a regular basis with special focus on the ancient monuments in Britain. They also offer specialized services for protecting these sites. The Herefordshire Archaeology is another agency who is a member of the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (ALGAO) that monitors the work of various and archaeological units in the preservation of archaeological sites. They’re also responsible for the dissemination of facts and information about Britain’s archaeological sites and their preservation. The organization also works in close tandem with the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and the Institute of Field Archeologists. (IFA) In the Northern Island region, the archaeologists of the NIEA select the sites for protective scheduling in consultation with the Historic Monuments Council. Some of the earliest sites belonging to the nomadic ancestors’ dates back to nearly 9,000 years ago. As soon as an archaeological site is located, legal issues are immediately put into place by notifying the owner through legal documents from the Land Registries of Northern Ireland and the area is legally cordoned off and protected. Once a monument or historical site is identified, work such as demolition, repairs, alterations or destruction around the vicinity has to be stopped. Individuals continuing to do so are guilty of punishment. In case maintenance has to be carried out on the monument, the FMW (Field Monument Warden) allows an agreement to be signed involving the owner of the land. The NIEA is not in a position to provide a decision if the SMC (Scheduled Monument Consent) application lacks detailed information regarding the maintenance to be carried out. After the SMC has been passed, everyone involved in the project has to be fully informed about the legal conditions binding them. Illustrations of the site should be given to all the contractors and agents working on the project. An SMC is not necessary for simple activities such as agricultural or horticultural works, canal repair work, repair of machinery or work involving the safety and health of individuals. However, all these works should be kept to the bare minimum. An SMC can be withdrawn or withheld if the applicant fails to meet the standard of the criteria which is legally binding. The salient features of the criteria for an SMC consent the reason the choosing the site, when and how they’re proposing to begin work on it, the academic objectives involved, how is the project going to be financed, in addition to the administration and other legal issues involving storage, conservation and archiving of the project. According to the AMAA Act of 1979, scheduled monuments can be taken care of by private parties as well as the state or local authorities by signing Deeds of Guardianship. The power of upkeep, preservation and public access now rests with the Guardian. In recent years the policy for English archaeology was laid down through the PPG16 (Wales) in 1991 and Planning Advice Note (SOEnD 1992a and b) for Scotland. These guidelines informed the planning authorities, developers, owners and archaeologists of which sites excavations could be carried out and those that were not eligible for excavation. References Archaeological Sites and Monuments www.herefordshire.gov.uk/environment/.../2187.asp Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites, The GCI Project www.getty.edu/conservation/publications/pdf.../archaeology_bib.pdf David Keys, (2009) Mummification in Bronze Age Britain, BBC History, Archaeology History in-depth www.bbc.co.uk/.../mummies_cladhhallan_01.shtml Legal aspects of Forensic archaeology www.forensicarchaeology.org/?page_id=16 Northern Island Environment Agency Built Heritage, Guidance on Scheduled Historic Monuments in northern Island www.ni-environment.gov.uk NPPG5 – Archaeology and Planning http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/1998/10/nppg5 Read More