Is there any chance of continuing the discussion from the up-coming London workshop  on retention strategies at the next ICAZ in Argentina, perhaps in a evening session of some sort? It would be great to get guidelines established that can be SHOWN to administrators (the expression International Guidelines can work miracles on' bottom-line' mentality administrators). The conclusion of the London workshop could be passed around participants beforehand as talking points.
 
Alice


On Wed, Oct 23, 2013 at 12:40 PM, Terry O'Connor <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hi Sylvia et al.,

This is an absolutely critical topic, and very timely. Unfortunately I am unable to get to the November 14th meeting (teaching Zooarch students that day, appropriately!), so here's a few thoughts.

First, we are tackling this problem in York. Clare Rainsford has done an excellent job developing a retention strategy for animal bones from the extensive Hungate excavations, based on the premise that what is retained should be a high-quality research archive of material for which we are confident about the date and depositional context.   In urban medieval archaeology, bones are not in short supply. They are clasts in the urban sedimentation, some assemblages of which are informative and others are not. In that situation, it is possible, indeed essential, to have a protocol that 'ranks' some material as a priority for retention and therefore ranks other assemblages as not a priority. We are now beginning to apply the same arguments to archived (for which read 'warehoused') bone assemblages from past excavations, and are drafting a paper that sets out the Hungate protocol and its application.

Second, it is essential that these decisions are taken by the zooarch community. We know, in so far as anyone does, what material is and is not likely to be of future research value. Yes, techniques change and improve: 20 years ago we could not have predicted the need for samples for ancient DNA analysis. However, even new techniques need well-dated and well-provenanced samples, not reworked and highly time-averaged samples of uncertain origin. And we need to know where those samples are, without having them hidden amongst a huge pile of low-quality material.

Third, if we duck the issue and fail to act, retention decisions will be taken by others who, for whatever reasons, do not have zooarchaeology's best interests at heart. Bones take up a lot of room and are an obvious target for clearing out stores. Human bones cannot be thrown away; pottery is unlikely to be disposed of in bulk. Therefore animal bones are especially vulnerable.

Fourth through ninth can wait for another day. It is good that this debate is under way, but please let's make sure that it goes beyond a single workshop which quite a few of us will be unable to attend.

Terry


Terry O'Connor
Professor of Archaeological Science
Department of Archaeology, University of York
Biology S Block, Heslington,
York YO10 5DD


On 22 October 2013 10:27, Warman, Sylvia <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Sorry Zooarchers

I forgot the no attachments rule.

Please use the following link to find out more about the upcoming event at the LAARC.

 http://www.archaeologists.net/news/131021-workshop-selection-strategies-archive-deposition-or-'less-more


Best Wishes

Sylvia



Dr Sylvia Warman | Science Advisor, London

Direct Line: 0207 973 3733

Mobile Phone: 07881805347



English Heritage | 1 Waterhouse Square

138-42 Holborn | London EC1N 2ST



www.english-heritage.org.uk


-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Symmons [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 22 October 2013 10:15
To: Warman, Sylvia
Subject: RE: [ZOOARCH] Selective retention and disposal of animal remains

Since it will be the day before my 40th, I would say a drink is mandatory.
:)
xx

-----Original Message-----
From: Warman, Sylvia [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 22 October 2013 10:09
To: 'Robert Symmons'
Subject: RE: [ZOOARCH] Selective retention and disposal of animal remains

Super

Might fit in a swift beverage after unless you are on tight schedule?

Sylvia


Dr Sylvia Warman | Science Advisor, London

Direct Line: 0207 973 3733

Mobile Phone: 07881805347



English Heritage | 1 Waterhouse Square

138-42 Holborn | London EC1N 2ST



www.english-heritage.org.uk


-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Symmons [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 22 October 2013 10:08
To: Warman, Sylvia
Subject: RE: [ZOOARCH] Selective retention and disposal of animal remains

Hi Dude
Already enrolled in the meeting. It sounds like it will be an excellent day!
xx


-----Original Message-----
From: Warman, Sylvia [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 22 October 2013 10:00
To: 'Robert Symmons'
Subject: RE: [ZOOARCH] Selective retention and disposal of animal remains

Hello Nobs

We (folks in London with help of IfA london and the LAARC) are holding a workshop on just this topic on 14th Novemeber at the LAARC.

I'm taking notes in the animal bone session - but it would be great to have some more curator type people there (plus you are still a Zooarch underneath as it were).

I will send a less chatty version of this around ZOOARCH.

Details of workshop attached - I do hope you can make it.

Sylvia


Dr Sylvia Warman | Science Advisor, London

Direct Line: 0207 973 3733

Mobile Phone: 07881805347



English Heritage | 1 Waterhouse Square

138-42 Holborn | London EC1N 2ST



www.english-heritage.org.uk


-----Original Message-----
From: Analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Robert Symmons
Sent: 22 October 2013 09:56
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ZOOARCH] Selective retention and disposal of animal remains

Dear All

Like much of the country, museums here in Sussex are suffering from an acute lack of storage space. In an attempt to alleviate this problem Sussex Museums Group (in consultation with the planning authority, local specialists and commercial units) is keen to limit the volume of material that is entering museum stores from developer-funded excavations. We are facing the prospect of making some very difficult decisions and I do not ask the following question lightly:

What animal bone from developer-funded excavations could justifiably be disposed of following analysis, rather than being deposited at a museum?

Of course we understand that the answer is not as simple as the question, but we hope to synthesise specialist opinion into some guidance that can be rolled out across the county. Sadly, keeping everything is not an option at this stage.

All the best
Rob

Rob Symmons
Secretary, Sussex Museums Group.

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This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may contain personal views which are not the views of English Heritage unless specifically stated. If you have received it in error, please delete it from your system and notify the sender immediately. Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act in reliance on it. Any information sent to English Heritage may become publicly available.

Portico: your gateway to information on sites in the National Heritage Collection; have a look and tell us what you think.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/archives-and-collections/por
tico/

This e-mail (and any attachments) is confidential and may contain personal views which are not the views of English Heritage unless specifically stated. If you have received it in error, please delete it from your system and notify the sender immediately. Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act in reliance on it. Any information sent to English Heritage may become publicly available.

Portico: your gateway to information on sites in the National Heritage Collection; have a look and tell us what you think.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/archives-and-collections/portico/