Dear All
Although not a direct answer to the question raised by Paul I have made the
following suggestion to my Finds Liaison Officer for the incorporation of
PA data into the Warwickshire SMR (see below). The proposal is an idea I
have been thinking about after consultation with a few SMROs. Any
constructive comments welcome.
As for findspots, I am not sure that I agree with Paul saying that the
finspot is an event. The event is the process of recognising and
identification of the object(s). That said, I accept that they are not
monuments either, but they might be the only physical evidence for a
monument.
I do agree with Paul that we have not got to grips with finds recording in
SMRs. Perhaps this could form the topic for a series of workshops at
future SMR User Group Meetings and some formal debate on SMR Forum? We
have always said that the SMR Guidelines should be published in a
ring-binder so future updates can be inserted. Information on dealing with
finds could comprise one of these updates.
Emma
"Hello Angie this is my draft proposal for inclusion of PA data into the
Warwickshire SMR
I propose that Portable Antiquities data will be viewed as a separate layer
in our GIS system (perhaps linked to an Access database). We do not
propose to use the Exegesis SMR PA link because I am not confident that
this will not create additional work. I think I would find myself
unravelling the information to ensure that roman coins found at Chesterton
Roman Town are not recorded as a new archaeological monument.
A confidentiality clause (upto 5 years?) will be honoured with the proviso
that if a PA site becomes relevant to a planning application the
information should become public (and thus incorporated into the SMR). The
Warwickshire Planning Archaeologist and Archaeological Planning Assistant
are the only people who will have access to the confidential PA data.
Each PA record will need to be tagged so that an automated system will make
a record "visible" within the SMR after the agreed confidential period has
expired. At this point the information becomes public and added to the SMR
through the normal process of Record management and enhancement."
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