County Archaeologist
Encyclopedia
A County Archaeologist is a local government employee in the United Kingdom
with responsibility for overseeing development-led archaeological investigations required by PPG16. Nominated as the archaeological advisor by each local planning authority, the County Archaeologist recommends which developments are likely to threaten archaeological sites and advises methods of mitigating their impact, usually through the imposition of planning conditions.
Other responsibilities include maintaining the Sites and Monuments Record
, managing the Portable Antiquities Scheme
, education and outreach activities and co-ordinating research agendas. Increasingly, he or she leads a team of staff with responsibilities for these areas.
In London
the County Archaeologist's role is filled by English Heritage
except in Southwark
and The City
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
with responsibility for overseeing development-led archaeological investigations required by PPG16. Nominated as the archaeological advisor by each local planning authority, the County Archaeologist recommends which developments are likely to threaten archaeological sites and advises methods of mitigating their impact, usually through the imposition of planning conditions.
Other responsibilities include maintaining the Sites and Monuments Record
Sites and Monuments Record
Each County or Unitary Authority in the United Kingdom maintains a Sites and Monuments Record or SMR, consisting of a list of known archaeological sites. Many SMRs are now developing into much broader Historic Environment Records , including information on historic buildings and designed landscapes...
, managing the Portable Antiquities Scheme
Portable Antiquities Scheme
The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a voluntary programme run by the United Kingdom government to record the increasing numbers of small finds of archaeological interest found by members of the public...
, education and outreach activities and co-ordinating research agendas. Increasingly, he or she leads a team of staff with responsibilities for these areas.
In London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
the County Archaeologist's role is filled by English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
except in Southwark
Southwark
Southwark is a district of south London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Southwark. Situated east of Charing Cross, it forms one of the oldest parts of London and fronts the River Thames to the north...
and The City
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
.