Championing Archaeological Businesses

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Author: Doug Rocks-Macqueen

  • The FAME carbon calculator for archaeology

    FAME has commissioned the creation of, and will then make freely available, a carbon calculator tool that will allow archaeology organisations to:

    1. record their greenhouse gas emission baseline figures;
    2. report emissions to clients and other stakeholders (by project, period or location);
    3. make and track reduction plans towards net zero emissions.

    This will ensure that all working in the archaeological industry are recording and reporting these data consistently. While, we are still in the process of creating this free tool, we have published a article in The Archaeologists with more details on this project. Read it here:

    The FAME carbon calculator TA124Download
  • Medication Side-Effects: Cold Sensitivity – update to FAME medication guide

    Medication Side-Effects: Cold Sensitivity – update to FAME medication guide

    We have updated the FAME Medication Side-Effects: Heat and Sun Sensitivity guide to now include cold sensitivity. The updated guide can be found on our website here: Medication Side-Effects: Heat, Cold and Sun Sensitivity and included below in this news item.

    Some medications can make it harder for people to regulate their body temperature and thus increase the risk of overheating. Or, the opposite issue, developing cold intolerance.  Additionally, some medications can cause photosensitivity, also known as ‘sun allergy’, a condition where the skin becomes extremely sensitive to ultraviolet light.

    We have created this guide because archaeologists have an elevated risk of these adverse reactions given the nature of some of our work – outdoors during hot and cold weather, though indoor work is not without risk. Moreover, employees do not normally have to disclose the medications they take so employers should always assume that they do not have full knowledge of their employees’ medical conditions and should regularly raise awareness of these issues with their employees i.e. share this guide with them. Most archaeologists are unlikely to be aware of these risks, or may have started a new medication and/or may not remember the risk associated with a specific medication; the lists in this guide are lengthy.

    FAME Guide to Medication Side-Effects – Heat, Cold and Sun Sensitivity v3Download

  • New Draft Resource for Those Involved in Preparing and Transferring Archaeological Archives for England

    FAME have been pushing for years for a new system for transfer of title of archaeological finds, especially orphan archives, so we are very happy to inform you about a new draft resource for preparing and transferring Archaeological Archives for England. FAME contributed to the development of the guidance to help find a solution for archive deposition and the new resource can be found here:

    https://collectionstrust.org.uk/resource/toolkit-for-managing-the-ownership-of-archaeological-finds-in-england/

    “The Toolkit for Managing the Ownership of Archaeological Finds in England is designed as an important new resource for individuals involved in the management, recovery, and archival of archaeological materials. It offers guidelines to ensure the secure and legal transfer of ownership of archaeological material, thereby supporting effective archival practices and planning policy. The toolkit consists of a model deed of transfer and guidance covering principles of ownership, advice on transferring ownership of the material archive, procedures for arranging transfer of ownership, guidance for planners, landowners and planning applicants/developers and guidance where landowner consent cannot be obtained.

    The toolkit has been developed by Historic England (derived from Queens Counsel legal advice) as part of the Future for Archaeological Archives Programme. It has benefited from initial advice from members of the programme’s Advisory Panel.”

    The Toolkit includes a Model Deed of Transfer and sections on:

    • Ownership: the principles of ownership of archaeological finds
    • Advice on transferring ownership of the material archive from an archaeological project
    • Procedures for arranging transfer of ownership
    • for a development project
    • for a research or community project
    • Guidance for planners, landowners and planning applicants/developers
    • Guidance where Landowner Consent Cannot be Obtained
    • Objects already in museum/repository collections
    • Material assemblages stored by archaeological contractors.

    The toolkit is undergoing a consultation period of nine months, between January and September 2025. Feedback, can be submitted here https://forms.office.com/e/4rZBiy9PwB  or by emailing FAAP@historicengland.org.uk.

  • FAME AGM draft minutes and reports

    At the FAME Forum in June, FAME held an AGM. The minutes (draft), accounts, Chair’s report and CEO’s report can be found below:

    AGM 2024 Draft Minutes 2024-10-31Download

  • Changes to laws/regulations affecting archaeology HR – October update

    In June, the FAME Board set out a series of objectives for FAME to undertake over the coming year. One of the objectives is to provide members with updates on changes to laws and regulations that will affect members’ human resources work (employment and payroll). We are proud to announce our first update:

    FAME HR Update October 2024Download

    This update covers both Ireland and the United Kingdom. If you need any support  – policies, risk assessments, etc on these changes, please let us know. FAME membership pays for Quest Business support which can provide this to you.

  • The Benefits of Development-led Archaeology

    The European Archaeological Council (Europae Archaeologiae Consilium), a membership organisation consisting of the national bodies charged with the management of the archaeological heritage throughout Europe, has released another guide – The Benefits of Development-led Archaeology – that we believe our members will be interested in:

    https://zenodo.org/records/10696865

    “This report presents nine tangible public benefits which can be derived from development-led archaeological investigation, illustrated by genuine case studies from across Europe and beyond. It is designed to act as a resource for all archaeological heritage managers, archaeologists, and other stakeholders to help make the case for supporting development-led archaeology, and to help shape investigation projects to get the most out of them for the public. It recognises that the benefits of archaeology go far beyond its inherent value in creating knowledge about our shared past, creating many other societal and scientific benefits. It demonstrates very small additional cost of development-led archaeology at the state level, and concludes that this cost is outweighed by the positive benefits which can be realised if planned into projects from the outset.”

  • The Value of Developing a Research Framework

    The European Archaeological Council (Europae Archaeologiae Consilium), a membership organisation consisting of the national bodies charged with the management of the archaeological heritage throughout Europe, has released a new guide – The Value of Developing a Research Framework. Given the the extensive use of Research Frameworks by FAME members we believe this will be of use to our members, especially, those interest in developing more local and thematic research Frameworks.

    “This document provides the strategic context that supports the value and role of research frameworks in fostering a coordinated research culture and embedding a research/evidence-based approach that underpins heritage management, regardless of the different political, legal, administrative and economic contexts of individual states. This includes supporting decision making and broadening public benefit to include social and communal values as well as the research dividend. The document is aimed at those people who are responsible for commissioning, funding or developing research frameworks. It can be used to support the creation of a business case for developing a research framework, and sets out the key principles that should be considered in doing so.”

    https://zenodo.org/records/10696980

  • Before the Museums – consultation on standards and fees for archaeological archives in Scotland

    The ‘Before The Museums’ project is an initiative aiming to create the smooth transition of finds from their recovery during archaeological fieldwork through to their deposition at a museum. The project is part of the Scottish Archaeology Strategy and is being managed jointly between ALGAO:Scotland and National Museums Scotland. The project work is being delivered by Dr Sam Paul and Dr Manda Forster. 
    The overall outcomes of this stage of the ‘Before The Museums’ project will be twofold:

    • The creation of guidance for the transfer for archaeological assemblages to museums in Scotland, building on the draft standards that have already been created.
    • The development and implementation of a processing fee from depositors to museums for archaeological archives.

    Previous work has included a feasibility study and consultation, as well as Focus Groups delivered in 2024. The updated documents respond to feedback received concerning both the proposals and their implementation. 
    This new sector-wide consultation includes an updated version of the proposed guidance document and fee proposals for archive deposition in Scotland, as well as information about implementation. The survey will remain open until 25 September 2024.

    SURVEY LINK: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JGVNHJN

    Documents for review:

    SCA24_StandardsGuidanceTransferArchaeoAssemblagesScotland_ConsultationDraft_Aug24_v2.0Download
    MuseumsScotland_BlankArchaeologicalAssemblageSpreadsheet_ConsultationDraft_v2.0_Aug24Download

  • FAME Forum 2024 Videos

    The presentations at the 2024 FAME Forum were recorded and are now available to view below:

    FAME’s Carbon Calculator

    https://youtu.be/VcQK-SezkOo

    Changes to CSCS: Update and Planning for the Way Forward

    https://youtu.be/XMLt2f2onNQ

    Meet FAME members- York Osteoarchaeology

    https://youtu.be/sPlDPfSEgA0

    1966 and All That

    https://youtu.be/UKJQWLAQVgk

    Current developments in TII Archaeology and Heritage

    https://youtu.be/IYtc27Q1Af4

    Meet FAME members- Heritage Business International

    https://youtu.be/peQIzm2pdMk

    A New Model for Global Heritage Management

    https://youtu.be/51Ul2EZi8Uc

    Re-entering the Eurozone with old friends and new

    https://youtu.be/PUEaEqti1Rg

    Meet FAME members- Magnitude Surveys

    https://youtu.be/GrKNPcg-6Dg

    Update on the Archaeological Standard Method of Measurement

    https://youtu.be/xrcGTLEjkfg

    State of the Archaeological Market 2022-23

    https://youtu.be/rV0j725akZc

  • State of the Archaeological Market 2023

    We are proud to announce the publication of the 2023 State of the Archaeological Market Report. It presents the results of the survey for 2022-23, in the United Kingdom.

    Map the UK and Ireland with text boxes with headlines of the report.

    The overall aims of this survey are to provide:

    • a unique analysis of the archaeological sector as part of the overall economy;
    • statistics that allow estimation of total value of the sector to the economy;
    • data on indicative numbers of employed professional archaeologists working in the commercial sector with comparative figures for other areas;
    • data for analysis of long-term sustainability for the sector;
    • data that can enable informed lobbying to help protect heritage; and
    • data to support planning effectively for the future so that the industry is sustainable and results in a benefit for society.

    You can find and read the full report here:

    State of the Archaeological Market 2023 v1Download

    Past reports

    2022

    2021

    2020

    2019 

    2018

    2017

    2016

    2015

    2014

    Support

    This project was undertaken by the Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers with support from the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and Historic Environment Scotland.