New IFA Standard and guidance for archaeological advice by historic

IfA and ALGAO  have announced the publication of a new Standard and guidance for archaeological advice by historic environment services. Discussions regarding the need for this Standard and guidance date back at least ten years, although the project to develop them was only recently initiated in March 2011. Funding support from received from English Heritage, Historic Scotland and Cadw, and development took place under the guidance of a project board comprising representatives of the three funding bodies, IfA, ALGAO UK and ALGAO’s committees for England, Wales and Scotland.

The Standard and guidance is based on a comprehensive survey of current practice which identified a number of key issues. These were further explored at a series of workshops with ALGAO members and invited representatives of the national agencies. Two formal rounds of sector wide consultation and redrafting followed as well as detailed discussions with members of ALGAO’s executive committee, the project board and relevant specialists.

The Standard and guidance was proposed for adoption in draft for one year to allow further operational feedback to be sought from the sector. Any proposed changes will be agreed with ALGAO and a final version will be proposed for full adoption at the IfA AGM in 2013.

You can find the new Standard and Guidance on our website at http://www.archaeologists.net/sites/default/files/node-files/Arch-advice-with-glossary-2012.pdf.