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 Archaeology News : IfA - Conference 2010: Provisional Programme and Online Booking now open! |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 2/2/2010 10:27:02 (824 reads) | |||
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We are pleased to announce that the provisional programme for the 2010 IfA Conference for Archaeologists which will run from 14 - 16 April 2010) is now available to download. Hard copies will be mailed out in the new year. If you wish to book now, you can do so on the IfA website on our online booking page. Booking forms are available to download, and for the first time this year you can pay by credit or debit card on the IfA website using PayPal. The provisional programme, conference timetable and other conference details are also available on this page. If you have any questions please contact conference@archaeologists.net. |
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| Archaeology News : Festival of British Archaeology - Registration Information |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 2/2/2010 9:32:11 (105 reads) | |||
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FESTIVAL OF BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY 17 July–1 August 2010 This year we CBA celebrating 20 years of inspiring events, which have been encouraging people all around the UK to take an active interest in archaeology and the historic environment around them. 2010 will see our biggest celebration of archaeology yet and we want you to be involved! The Festival is co-ordinated by the Council for British Archaeology and is entirely reliant on the participation and support of heritage groups, societies and organisations around the UK. The Festival complements and sits alongside Scottish Archaeology Month (SAM) www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk, which takes place every September, and Archaeology Days in Northern Ireland in June, making it an additional opportunity to promote the work of your organisation during the summer, engage with your local communities and help everyone to engage with archaeology and the historic environment around them. There are plenty of opportunities for you to take part in this UK-wide celebration of archaeology. Events are held at a huge variety of venues, with a vast array of formats and themes. The attached information provides details on • Participation in the Festival • Further information about the Festival • Event ideas and information To register an event fill in the registration form attached and return by 19/03/2010 to festival@britarch.ac.uk. If you wish to discuss the Festival in more detail, or if you are interested in finding out more about the Council for British Archaeology, please do not hesitate to contact the CBA. Further details about the Festival can be found at www.archaeologyfestival.org.uk. The CBA hope you will join them in celebrating the Festival of British Archaeology 2010 and look forward to receiving details of your event(s). Download registration info here Download a registration form here |
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| IFA News : IfA - Scottish group course, Desk Based Assessments |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 18/1/2010 16:27:39 (316 reads) | |||
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IfA Scottish area group have announced a new short course on desk based assessments at the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland in Edinburgh on 18 February 2010. Further details will be announced shortly. For more information and booking please download a leaflet. |
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| Archaeology News : IfA - Validation committee January meeting - date change |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 14/1/2010 9:49:22 (219 reads) | |||
| The meeting of the Validation committee that was scheduled for 13 January had to be cancelled due to poor weather conditions making it difficult for the committee to travel. It has been rescheduled for 27 January. Those applicants affected by this will be contacted by the IfA office. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. |
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| Archaeology News : Forensic aspects of ancient Egypt - new date |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 7/1/2010 14:00:27 (268 reads) | |||
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Due to the popularity of the previous course, this day will be repeated on 20 February 2010 11am - 5pm ad the University of London, Garden Halls, Cartwright Gardens. For more information please download a flier. |
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| IFA office: : IfA - Recession page |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 15/12/2009 16:25:35 (454 reads) | |||
| The Institute would like to remind members that it has a plan in place to help members and registered organisations during these difficult economic circumstances. This can be read on the Institute's recession page. All of the job losses reports can also be read there, as can the results of the recession seminar and our advice note for administrators and liquidators. The page can be viewed here. As always, if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions please do get in touch with the office. |
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| Archaeology News : IfA - MAG announce final report of Maritime Archaeological Archives project |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 15/12/2009 11:28:04 (350 reads) | |||
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IfA's Maritime Affairs Group (MAG) are pleased to announce that 'Analysing Present and Assessing Future Archive Creation', the third and final report generated as part of the 'Securing a Future for Maritime Archaeological Archives project', is now available to download. The document can be found at www.hwtma.org.uk/archaeological-projects/research/maritime-archaeological-archives/project-reports-and-downloads/ We would like to thank all those who contributed to this element of the project. The long-term project archive has been established with the Archaeology Data Service This project was undertaken following work by the IfA Maritime Affairs Group to highlight the dire situation relating to maritime archaeological archives in the UK, this issue has now been adopted as one of the key future targets of the Archaeological Archives Forum. The project was undertaken by the Hampshire & Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology with the Institute for Archaeologists and the Archaeology Data Service, it was funded by English Heritage, Historic Scotland, Royal Commission for the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland and the Society of Museum Archaeologists. More information on the project is available from http://www.hwtma.org.uk/archaeological-projects/research/maritime-archaeological-archives/ . |
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| Archaeology News : EMASS 2010 call for papers |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 15/12/2009 11:05:59 (280 reads) | |||
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The 4th annual Early Medieval Archaeology Student Symposium (EMASS) will be held in University College Dublin on the 19-20 May 2010. EMASS invite submissions for papers of c.20 minutes duration on any aspect of the early medieval period (400-1200AD) from any part of the world. In keeping with EMASS tradition, there is no set theme for the symposium but papers addressing theory in the early medieval period are particularly welcome, as are papers addressing other approaches such as experimental archaeology. As this is the first time that EMASS will visit Ireland, they also invite papers addressing ideas of regionality and difference in the early medieval period. EMASS is a discussion group dedicated to the study of the early medieval period, run by and for postgraduates and early career researchers. It provides a forum for those interested in the early medieval period to discuss their ideas, methodologies, and theories in a friendly and open environment. This year's symposium will take place over two days, featuring both oral and poster presentations, keynote lectures and a reception. The registration fee for the symposium is €20 and will cover refreshments and lunch on both days. As this is EMASS's first visit to Dublin, there may also be a fieldtrip to sites of interest either during or after the papers. EMASS would appreciate it if delegates could tell they if they would be interested in participating in this, so that they can judge how best to organise this. Keep an eye on their website at www.emass2010.com for further details on registration deadlines and payment details which will be posted soon. In the meantime if you have any queries, please contact them at info@emass2010.com. |
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| Archaeology News : IfA - seeking new hosts for HLF funded Workplace Learning Bursaries |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 8/12/2009 16:12:30 (495 reads) | |||
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In October 2009 we announced that the institute had been successful in securing £355,746.69 of additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to continue the top provide Workplace Learning Bursaries. This new funding will allow the project to continue for another 19 months, allowing 20 more individuals to take up placements with professional archaeological organisations. The new funding will be used to create new placements which will start throughout 2010 and 2011. These new placements will be tailored to meet the skills gaps that have been identified by research undertaken by the IfA and will take account of the changing working landscape that is confronting archaeology as the recession bites into this sector. The project will also identify and train Workplace Learning Champions who will promote the scheme and workplace learning across the sector. We are now seeking hosts for new placements, if you would like to propose a placement at your organisation please read the information for prospective hosts on the Bursaries Page and contact Natasha Kingham at natasha.kingham@archaeologists.net |
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| IFA office: : IfA - Advertising and issue dates for JIS |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 2/12/2009 11:20:59 (410 reads) | |||
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The last issue of the JIS before Christmas will go out on Friday 18 December. The deadline for adverts to be included in that issue will be extended to 2pm on Wednesday 16 December. Due to a seasonal lull in the jobs market the first issue in the New Year will go out on Wednesday 13 January 2010 (deadline for adverts 2pm on Tuesday 12 January). Please email jobs to Lynne (at bevanlynne1@yahoo.co.uk) in as simple word document attachments without logos during the break and she will reply from the 11 January onwards. |
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| Archaeology News : England's Cathedrals - the great heritage success story |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 1/12/2009 9:52:30 (441 reads) | |||
| English Heritage have released a report on the condition of England's cathedrals and another report on new works commissioned in these buildings. They can be read on the English Heritge website. |
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| Archaeology News : Diggers' Forum response to IfA statement on minimum salaries |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 30/11/2009 13:16:25 (574 reads) | |||
| IfA Diggers' Forum has sent in a response to IfA Statement on Minimum Salaries. |
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| IFA office: : IfA - Proposed amendment to the Institute for Archaeologists Code of conduct |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 24/11/2009 13:25:14 (1338 reads) | |||
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The following is a proposed amendment to this Institute's Code of conduct, to be considered at the IfA's AGM in 2010 (please note this is next year's AGM). If anybody has any comments please contact Alex Llewellyn alex.llewellyn@archaeologists.net Proposed amendment to the Institute for Archaeologists Code of conduct Background: The revisions proposed to clause 1.6 of the Code of conduct are motivated by the recent coming into force (2 January 2009) of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (2001) (see http://www.unesco.org/en/underwater-cultural-heritage/the-2001-convention/). The United Kingdom has not joined the States Parties of the Convention to date, but has expressed its willingness to comply with the Convention’s Annex, which establishes ethical and scientific Rules, widely recognised by archaeologists, for activities directed at underwater sites, in particular rule 2 of the annex, which states that: "'The commercial exploitation of underwater cultural heritage for trade or speculation or its irretrievable dispersal is fundamentally incompatible with the protection and proper management of underwater cultural heritage. Underwater cultural heritage shall not be traded, sold, bought or bartered as commercial goods." This Rule cannot be interpreted as preventing (a) the provision of professional archaeological services or necessary services incidental thereto whose nature and purpose are in full conformity with this Convention and are subject to the authorization of the competent authorities; (b) the deposition of underwater cultural heritage, recovered in the course of a research project in conformity with this Convention, provided such deposition does not prejudice the scientific or cultural interest or integrity of the recovered material or result in its irretrievable dispersal; is in accordance with the provisions of Rules 33 and 34; and is subject to the authorization of the competent authorities' Recent innovations in UK heritage practice guidance, such as the publication of the English Heritage and British Marine Aggregate Producers Association 'Protocol for Reporting Finds of Archaeological Interest' (www.wessexarch.co.uk/files/projects/BMAPA-Protocol/protocol_text.pdf), the revised Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee 'Code of Practice for Seabed Developers' (www.thecrownestate.co.uk/jnapc_code_of_practice.pdf) and the English Heritage and Minerals and Historic Environment Forum 'Mineral Extraction and Archaeology: A Practice Guide' (www.helm.org.uk/upload/pdf/Mineral-Archaeology.pdf?1250245125) have demonstrated a desire among heritage professionals and industry stakeholders alike for clarification of, and provision of enhanced guidance on best practice in the handling of archaeological materials, particularly those recovered from the marine zone. The proposed revision of clause 1.6 of the Code of conduct would reinforce the development and propagation of best-practice in the handling of archaeological materials, and would more clearly unify the ethical principles underlying archaeological fieldwork in the terrestrial and marine zones. Clause at present ‘1.6 A member shall know and comply with all laws applicable to his or her archaeological activities whether as employer or employee, and with national and international agreements relating to the illicit import, export or transfer of ownership of archaeological material. A member shall not engage in, and shall seek to discourage, illicit or unethical dealings in antiquities'. Clause Revision '1.6 A member shall endeavor to understand and comply with all laws applicable to his or her archaeological activities whether as employer or employee, and with national and international laws relating to the excavation, recovery, import, export or transfer of ownership of archaeological materials. A member shall not knowingly be employed by, or contract with, an individual or entity involved in the commercial exploitation or recovery of archaeological materials'. Note: ‘Commercial exploitation’ is deemed to involve the excavation and/or recovery of items from archaeological contexts in circumstances where the primary motive underlying such recovery is the sale of items recovered in order to generate income or profit for the staff, owners, operators and/or shareholders of the organisation[s] involved, whether directly or indirectly, and/or where such sale may lead to the irretrievable dispersal of the physical and/or intellectual archive. ‘Commercial recovery' is not deemed to include individuals, charities and other private members organisations that on occasion excavate and/or recover archaeological materials, but who do so on an informal and/or individual basis, and/or where the recovery does not explicitly lead to or enable the sale of materials for profit. “ |
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| Archaeology News : Satellite information for heritage monitoring |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 20/11/2009 14:41:02 (592 reads) | |||
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English Heritage has been contacted by Eurisy (a non-profit association of most national space agencies in Europe, as well as ESA and the European Commission) who are seeking information on examples where we have benefited from using satellite information in order to identify or mitigate archaeological and/or historic sites, particularly in coastal areas. Eurisy will use this information to support a group of regions in the North Sea area, currently working on an INTERREG project for cultural and heritage protection in the region, especially in coastal areas. Please contact Mark Dunkley at English Heritage (Mark.Dunkley@english-heritage.org.uk), who will compile responses for Eurisy, if you have worked on, or used satellite data. |
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| IFA News : IfA - Clarification of points made in the statement about IfA & arch salaries |
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| Posted by ifa_alex on 18/11/2009 15:43:00 (881 reads) | |||
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Clarification of points made in the statement about IfA and archaeological salaries. IfA posted a statement on its minimum salary recommendations on 10 November on the website at www.archaeologists.net/modules/tinycontent/index.php?id=1. The statement has engendered some limited discussion, and there appear to be a few misunderstandings that could usefully be clarified. The IfA does not set archaeological wages and has not voted to freeze all archaeological salaries for 2010/11. IfA Council have agreed that in view of the extraordinarily challenging economic environment, there should be no increase in the IfA recommended minima for 2010-11; this does not mean that any organisation or IfA member employing staff cannot pay above the recommended minima. To build on the IfA recommended minima (which is a requirement for ROs) and in order to achieve long term improvements in pay and conditions Council agreed that • focus should be on promoting ‘reasonable’ pay bands well above the IfA minima • the 2007 pay bands ranged from 13% to 53% above the present minima, and these figures should be updated • those IfA members employing staff and Registered Organisations that do not presently remunerate in these bands would be expected to work towards them, with the encouragement and support of the Institute • the Registered Organisations committee should take a tougher line on organisations applying for registration to demonstrate good HR practices, including the existence of training plans, staff development reviews incorporating support of CPD, assistance with professional membership fees, the provision of appropriate types and amounts of leave, and contributions towards pensions • excellence in employment practice should be recognised within the architecture of the scheme • this demanding task will be taken forward as a matter of urgency by the elected Executive committee, supported by the Chair of the Registered Organisations committee and a representative of the Diggers’ Forum, whose members are amongst those worst affected by poor pay and job security, and whose opportunities to drive forward improvements has been severely limited. The discussion of salary minima in the Council meeting on 5 November was a regular IfA Council agenda item – as it has been since 2005 – and was not prompted by any particular part of the Institute’s membership, but Council had benefitted from some submissions before the meeting. The discussion was direct and forceful but was civilized throughout – this is exactly what Councilors have been elected to do. It is important to note that Councilors are elected as individuals and vote according to their conscience and for the benefit of the Institute. If you have any queries about the above or the full statement about IfA and archaeological salaries you can contact us directly by emailing kathryn.whittington@archaeologists.net |
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| IFA News : IfA - New Job losses report |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 16/11/2009 10:27:27 (792 reads) | |||
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New Job Losses report - October 2009 Archaeological employment has seen a slight “bounce” over the last six months, which has been initiated through capital investment in infrastructure projects. 400 archaeological jobs have been lost in the year following the collapse of the housebuilding market in the United Kingdom in the autumn of 2008 (and a total of 500 jobs lost since the peak of the boom in the summer of 2007). The final quarter of 2008 and the first of 2009 both saw significant numbers of job losses; the headline figure stabilised in the three months to July 2009, and a modest increase in the numbers of individuals working as archaeologists has taken place over the three months to October 2009. Following a reported reduction in the numbers of jobs being lost in archaeology to July 2009, over the three months to 1 October 2009 there was a moderate increase in the numbers of archaeologists in employment. Recovery has been led by major archaeological contractors working ahead of road-building projects in the midlands and the south of England. As it is uncertain whether projects like these will be replicated in the future, or whether other development work will recover, business confidence remains fragile. Fewer employers expect to be able to maintain current staffing levels than did in July 2009, although slightly more employers expect market conditions to improve in the next year than expect them to deteriorate. However, the overwhelming majority of respondents expect further archaeological businesses to fail in the next twelve months. Fieldwork skills continue to be those that are being most commonly lost by organisations. The latest report can be downloaded here. Previous reports can be found on our recession page. |
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| Archaeology News : Request for new student placements |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 12/11/2009 16:51:55 (712 reads) | |||
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IfA has received the following request for help in diversifying the range of student placements available for students enrolled in the degree course at Bradford. Dear Colleague I am trying to inject some new blood into our student placement scheme which has been allowed to centre around the same few employers. This is good as it shows that the employers recognise that the scheme is valuable to both them and to the students however, it is restricting the choice that we can offer to students and we have the same number clamouring for the same jobs. Please could you cascade the attached to your members? I shall also be contacting ALGAO and SMA as well as the national agencies. and some of the more reputable commercial units. Thanks for your time Alex Gibson The letter can be downloaded here. |
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| IFA News : IfA response to Scottish Planning Policy |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 12/11/2009 16:41:13 (609 reads) | |||
| The IfA response to the consultation on Scottish Planning Policy is now available on the Consultations page. |
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| IFA office: : Women's Safety Work wear Survey by WES |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 11/11/2009 14:51:20 (722 reads) | |||
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One of our members has bought this survey by the Women's Engineering Society to our attention. We thought it might be of interest to some of our female members. WES is launching a survey on its website (www.wes.org.uk), today (25 September), for women working in science, engineering, technological and construction industries to share their stories about work wear and safety clothing. Women and Manual Trades (WAMT) and the Association of Women in Property (WIP) along with other women’s support groups are joining in the survey, making it a cross-sector initiative. “Anecdotal reports abound of women carrying multiple pairs of socks on site visits to make too-big boots fit and of having to fight flapping jacket sleeves to use a camera” said Jan Peters, president of the Women’s Engineering Society . “We want to find out just how widespread the problems are so that we can team up with manufacturers to produce well-fitting clothing”. WIP national chairman, Joanna Embling, comments “Although the TUC have debated whether women should have to wear high heels as part of work dress codes on health and safety grounds, they have not considered the safety issues involved when women are required to use work clothing provided by employers that is simply too big. There is far too much potential for accidents on construction sites through women tripping over their newly acquired size 10 feet. Women are highly qualified professionals who, not unreasonably, want to work under the same conditions as their male counterparts. Where safety clothing is concerned, they are at a distinct disadvantage.” These support groups for women are inviting women working in manufacturing or construction trades or whose job requires them to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to fill in a short survey and contribute their stories. There is also a Facebook page where women can post pictures of themselves struggling to tame oversized clothing. “This is a serious issue” says Niki Luscombe, CEO of Women and Manual Trades, “Safety clothing should be just that – clothing that helps workers to stay safe on construction sites. Instead, for many women it is something that can make them work less efficiently, and in some cases, actually compromise their safety”. |
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| IFA News : IfA - IfA statements on archaeological salaries |
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| Posted by ifa-admin on 10/11/2009 12:19:46 (881 reads) | |||
| The Institute has issued a statement on archaeological salaries. it can be downloaded here. |
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