Holes in the archaeological record : investigating unpublished sites from modern excavations in England and identifying the factors that contribute to the potential loss of archaeological knowledge
Since the birth of rescue archaeology in the wake of the Second World War through to the embedding of archaeological consideration in the planning process, the number of investigations being undertaken each year in England has increased. With this increase has been a high profile crisis in ensuring that information from excavations is adequately published. In addition, the archaeological discipline has often struggled to collate information on the number of excavations taking place and their associated outputs. This research provides an insight into the nature of modern archaeological publication never before attempted in England, presenting quantitative evidence from an assessment of excavations and their sources from Staffordshire and North Yorkshire 1938-2007. This data presents detailed insight into familiar problems affecting publication such as time and money, but also the unexpected pitfalls and human factors that can affect the post-excavation process. It also highlights the large levels of significant sites either unpublished, or restricted to so-called grey literature. Through data gathering, and attempts to compile an accurate list of excavations for England and the study areas, the research also
Evans, Timothy
Holes in the archaeological record : investigating unpublished sites from modern excavations in England and identifying the factors that contribute to the potential loss of archaeological knowledge. Since the birth of rescue archaeology in the wake of the Second World War through to the embedding of archaeological consideration in the planning process, the number of investigations being undertaken each year in England has increased. With this increase has been a high profile crisis in ensuring that information from excavations is adequately published. In addition, the archaeological discipline has often struggled to collate information on the number of excavations taking place and their associated outputs. This research provides an insight into the nature of modern archaeological publication never before attempted in England, presenting quantitative evidence from an assessment of excavations and their sources from Staffordshire and North Yorkshire 1938-2007. This data presents detailed insight into familiar problems affecting publication such as time and money, but also the unexpected pitfalls and human factors that can affect the post-excavation process. It also highlights the large levels of significant sites either unpublished, or restricted to so-called grey literature. Through data gathering, and attempts to compile an accurate list of excavations for England and the study areas, the research also
archaeological_record investigating unpublished site modern excavation england identify_factor contribute potential loss archaeological_knowledge since birth rescue archaeology wake second_world_war embed archaeological consideration planning process number investigation_undertaken year england increase increase high_profile crisis ensure information excavation adequately publish addition archaeological discipline often struggle collate information number excavation take place associate output provide_insight nature modern archaeological publication never attempt england present quantitative_evidence assessment excavation source staffordshire north_yorkshire data present_detailed insight familiar problem affect publication time money also unexpected pitfall human factor_affect post excavation process also_highlight large level significant site either unpublished restrict so_called grey_literature data gathering attempt compile accurate list excavation england study_area also