A CASE FOR A MORE ACTIVE STATE ROLE?
Where expertise is critically scarce and investigation can permanently alter the evidence, the state can take a more active role.
At Adam Park, the SLA tender requires the successful tenderer to appoint a project archaeologist to conduct mitigation works to recover and document archaeological materials and features. Who should set the research design and methodology, determine the qualifications of those leading the work, and ensure its quality? With the small number of experts available, separate tenders, on their own, may not be able to supply the right people or establish consistent standards.
If the state could play a more active role, the authority would set the scope and methods, determine appropriate qualifications and provide for independent review where a site’s archaeological potential is substantial. This would establish a national framework instead of leaving requirements to ad hoc formulations in successive tenders.
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