Author: Doug Rocks-Macqueen

The Historic England-funded Curating the Palaeolithic project has now been published online at: https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/curating-the-palaeolithic/

The online documents are a mixture of a guidance report and a series of case studies authored by Palaeolithic and Pleistocene specialists. The guidance explains the importance of the English Palaeolithic record (c. 1 million to 11,700 years ago) in its Pleistocene context and best practices for protecting it through the planning process, illustrated by case studies from across the country.

The guidance focuses on the curation of the Palaeolithic and Pleistocene records (Part A) and is particularly intended for curators. It also provides background information on the Palaeolithic and Pleistocene records for those less familiar with the period (Part B).

The guidance document is accompanied by a number of concise online case studies that illustrate a range of approaches for curating the Palaeolithic record. The document is intended to be used alongside other key guidance produced by Historic England and acknowledges the primacy of relevant legislation. It is not a statement of Government policy, nor does it seek to prescribe a single methodology.

The publication: https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/curating-the-palaeolithic/

FAME would like to point our members to a Loss Prevention Guidance Webinar from AGS.

The AGS Loss Prevention Working Group has produced a plethora of guidance over many years, which used to be included in a document called the ‘toolkit’. This has since moved on to an online resource of Loss Prevention Guidance, published on the AGS website.

However, some of the guidance refers to legal cases and legislation which have the potential to become outdated or have been updated respectively. The LPWG therefore commissioned a legal review of this guidance in 2022 to check it is up to date. This review has been carried out by Dominic Ruck-Keen of 1 Crown Office Row.

This free webinar, Chaired by Jo Strange (Technical Director at CGL) will be looking at some of the key loss prevention guidance, which is recommended reading for all geo-professionals and anyone making commercial decisions, and reiterating some key learning points as well as identifying where significant updates have been made and the implications of those.

https://ags.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35f5fb411e169bf29decd5407&id=19faa52095&e=d9b7fb2bf2

FAME is running a webinar on December 1st, 2022, at 3pm on mergers and acquisitions. It is free to FAME members and £105 for non-members. Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fame-webinar-on-mergers-and-acquisitions-in-development-led-archaeology-tickets-466352762667

Growth through merger and acquisition is financially the best option development-led archaeology organisations have in today’s market. Learn why, and about the strategic and financial reasons expansion is important for both for-profits and charities. This introductory webinar will outline the most-used way of financially valuing organizations, other key factors that affect their value, operating organizations to maximize their value, and tactics for boosting value prior to a sale. Additionally, ‘no-cash-needed’ purchases will be discussed, as these have been the primary way development-led archaeology organisations have made acquisitions, boosted profit/surplus, increased market share and pricing power, and increased the impact and scientific quality of the work that they do.

The webinar will be delivered by Heritage Business International, an organisation that helps cultural heritage organizations increase their value, sustainability, and impact in a global marketplace.

Final call for employers to sign up staff members to join the next cohort undertaking the Level 7 Archaeological Specialist Apprenticeship. This next cohort starts 1st February 2023. The two-year programme is based around a Masters’ degree in Archaeological Practice delivered by the University of Wales Trinity St David. Teaching is delivered remotely one day per week and supported by independent reading and research. It includes real world cases and interactive scenarios and there will be regular progress reviews held between the Training Advisor, Apprentice and employer. The programme is funded either fully through the employer’s Apprenticeship Levy contributions or by employer contribution of £750 if you are not a levy payer. Develop your staff and have them gain a Masters’ qualification practically free of charge!

For more information visit https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/apprenticeships/archaeological-specialist-ma/ or email apprenticeships@uwtsd.ac.uk before 24^th November 2022.

Historic England is keen to support micro, small and medium size heritage organisations on their journey towards Carbon Net Zero. They are keen on hearing from heritage organisations that provide heritage services (eg archaeological companies, consultants etc…) or that run or manage heritage sites. They have created a short survey to collect this information and will be holding round table discussions in November and December to discuss things in more depth.  

Please follow the link for the survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/X8E3CQ/

The survey will run until 4^th December. If you have any questions, please contact Daniel.miles@historicengland.org.uk

Certain FAME members may be interested in this funding for a network around community research, like what occurs with many public archaeology projects that our members undertake. It needs to be led by a charity or local authority. More details here:

https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/1250/overview/0a72fca6-4f7d-41e9-8e07-9fd80d3e86af#summary