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We had lively and helpful debate at the Mining Archaeology Framework Seminar at Caphouse on Saturday. One theme which has been raised at the seminar and elsewhere, is the policy of individual HERs towards receiving data from the independent/non-professional/amateur/enthusiast sector. Mining/ quarrying archaeology and industrial archaeology generally are well served by such people, many of whom are extremely knowledgeable and are capable of carrying out historical research and fieldwork to a good standard. Many are keen that their knowledge and accumulated data could be put to good use in HERs and we would like to encourage others to contribute.
So to my question: do HERs welcome such input and what are the mechanisms required for such material to be usefully integrated into your systems? The types of material we are talking about would be typescript field reports, surveyed and annotated maps and plans including subterranean, selected record photographs. What concerns would you have over quality control and verification? I assume, given the current death grip on resources, that any material input would need to be in a required format so as not to greatly increase your workload. For those of you who can remember the IRIS project run by AIA, did that work for you?
If you could spare a little of you time to contact me on this topic, off list if you prefer, I’d be very grateful for your views and information on procedures from individual HERs.
Thanks and best wishes
Phil Newman(NAMHO Project Officer)
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