From April 2008, the Research Framework for the Archaeology of Wales has found a new home. A revised and updated website can now be found at http://www.archaeoleg.org.uk
Background
The development of a Research Framework for Welsh Archaeology followed a conference organised by IFA Wales/Cymru and held at the University College, Aberystwyth in August 2001. The proceedings of this conference have now been published by the IFA as a British Archaeological Report British Series 343 (2003) edited by Stephen Briggs. Immediately following the conference a Steering Group was established to promote the development of the research framework. The membership of the Group aims to be as representative as possible of the various different sectors of Welsh archaeology.
The Steering Group recognised that the structure of the research framework for Welsh Archaeology needed to draw heavily on the structure envisaged by English Heritage and published in 1996 by Adrian Olivier as Frameworks for our Past. This saw a research framework as comprising:
A Resource Assessment: an overview of the current state of knowledge and understanding.
A Research Agenda: recognition of the potential of the resource, gaps in our knowledge and an unprioritised list of research topics.
A Research Strategy: a prioritised list of research objectives (seen as flexible over time), furthered by implementing specific Research Projects.
Within Wales the first stage of this process involved the production of four regional resource audits that aimed to identify the nature and extent of the known archaeological database by a compilation of published or accessible data. These audits were funded by Cadw:Welsh Historic Monuments and they were undertaken by the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts during the summer of 2002. The second stage involved the production of a research assessment that was based on an examination of the archaeological resource in order to evaluate strengths, weaknesses and biases in the record.
In order to assist this process of assessment a series of regional working parties were established tasked with examining chronological and thematic issues. The work of these working parties was presented at a series of regional seminars held during the autumn of 2002 at Carmarthen, Welshpool, Bangor and Cardiff. The intention was that the papers presented at each of the seminars would then form the basis for a series of discussions on the development of research agenda and a research strategy.
All four of the seminars were well attended with between 50 and 70 people present at each one. Interestingly, the nature of the audience varied slightly between each of the seminars. The amateur sector and local societies were well represented at the northwest seminar at the University of Bangor and at the southeast seminar at the National Museum and Art Gallery in Cardiff whereas the contract archaeology sector was well represented at the east and northeast seminar at the County Offices in Welshpool. Professional archaeologists and the university sector were particularly well represented at the southwest seminar at Trinity College, Carmarthen. The overall diversity of the audiences was very encouraging and suggested that all sectors involved in Welsh archaeology were keen to become involved with the establishment of the agenda and strategy.
The final stage of the process – the development of a research agenda and a research strategy – is now under way. This is taking the form of a series of follow-up meetings based on the outcomes of the research assessment and most recently a national seminar held in Aberystwyth on 4th September 2004. The aim of this, well attended, seminar was to establish a national agenda for each of the major chronological periods and themes already outlined at a regional level. The papers prepared for each of these talks can be seen below under each of their approrpaite national themes, and comments are now invited on these and any other aspects of the process.
A number of other Research Frameworks exist across the UK. Web sites associated with these can be reached from our links section.
The Regional Research Assessment
The following regional research assessment papers are based on a combination of the initial resource audit undertaken by the Welsh Archaeological Trusts and the papers presented at the regional research assessment seminars. Numerous different organisations have contributed either in cash or in kind to the preparation of this website. Some of these organisations are represented by the logos in the left hand margin. Naturally, the Steering Group would like to extend its thanks to all the organisations and individuals involved.
To access the regional research assessment papers arranged by geographical area click on one of the four regions on the map below
These web pages have been prepared by Chris Martin and Rich Phipps of the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust on behalf the Research Framework for the Archaeology of Wales Steering Group.
These web pages have been prepared by Chris Martin and Rich Phipps of the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust on behalf the Research Framework for the Archaeology of Wales Steering Group.
