National bodies & resources
The heritage sector encompasses national bodies with a broad range of responsibilities and functions. Those involved in guidance are also mentioned in the commercial archaeology, research and archive sections. Here we concentrate those offering resources and expertise.
Historic England is the leading national body responsible for archaeological work and a good port of call for information and advice. HE is an executive non-departmental public body within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and in 2015 assumed the advisory and heritage protection roles that were formerly undertaken by English Heritage (which was made a separate charitable entity responsible for historic properties and assets). HE advises the government on matters of policy and in individual cases. It also has major responsibilities in conservation and maintains a public archive formerly known as the National Heritage List for England (NHLE). Among the assets under EH care are many archaeological sites, from Stonehenge to Birdoswald to Tintagel. The Council for British Archaeology (CBA), an educational charity working throughout the UK to involve people in archaeology and to promote the appreciation and care of the historic environment. The CBA website has useful information on best practice, current issues, skills and training, jobs and many other topics (http://new.archaeologyuk.org/). The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (IfA) advances the practice of archaeology and allied disciplines by promoting professional standards and ethics for conserving, managing, understanding and promoting enjoyment of heritage. The IfA hosts an annual conference for the profession, provides a jobs information service, reviews pay and conditions, and works on continued professional development for archaeologists ( http://www.archaeologists.net/). Many national level bodies exist for specialist areas of study or geography. Some, including organisations that are period based (eg The Prehistoric Society), interest based (eg Association for Industrial Archaeology) and study based (The Roman Pottery Research Group) are listed in our Get involved section. Lists of organisations can also be found at Heritage Alliance http://www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/ and BAJR http://www.bajr.org/WhoseWho/NationalSearch.asp. |