>
> Someone suggested producing surveys simply to put them into the
> Historical Environment Record. Though doing so is laudable, I am very
> sceptical about this approach. Why not do some interpretation and
> write the site up and publish it in one of the many mining history
> journals, thereby adding to our knowledge and your experience. Sadly,
> the HER is all too often simply a planning tool for the
> county/district council and a quarry for those too idle to get their
> butts into the field.
>
>
I agree with Mike that sending a report to the HER is no substitute for
publication in a journal. However, it is surely not a case of either.. or but
both. The HER is indeed a planning tool, but it is an important one. If
the site is not in the HER, there is less chance that it will be picked up if
it features in planning applications. The system is far from perfect, but
by sending copies of reports and publications to the HER you are at
least doing your bit to ensure that the site is in the system. The planning
committees may still decide to bulldoze it for a theme park, but there is
a greater chance that further archaeological recording will take place.
From what I can see, the HERs are also increasingly being used to
direct resources for archaeological research by English Heritage and
similar bodies; as more are made available on-line, they will be
increasingly used for research.
David Poyner
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