Beyond Valetta . . .

Congress of Independent Archaeologists, Nottingham University, 21st to 23rd September, 2001

The Government's accession to the Valetta Convention presents a grave threat to independent archaeology. However although the Valetta Convention inevitably formed a major topic of discussion, the main aim of the Congress was to look beyond Valetta and seek better ways by which independent archaeologists can co-operate with the government.

The main theme of the Congress was to propose a series of Guidelines to bring together amateur and professional archaeologists in a fruitful and friendly relationship.

Programme:

Friday 21st September. Advance party arrives. Supper 7.30 onwards.

Saturday, 22nd September

10.00 Registration and coffee
10.30 AGM (Members only)

Session 1: Valetta

11.00 Introduction
11.15 Jennie Laing (author of Art and Society in Roman Britain, and other books). Barton -in-Fabis: attempting (and failing) to re-establish the excavation of a Roman villa in Nottinghamshire.

English Heritage and its congeners (Historic Scotland and CADW) together with the County Archaeologists are (for the most part) very much aware of the the great benefits of our tradition of amateur archaeology; they want to help. But what do we want from them? Do we want any help? Do we want to co-operate? If so, how? In this session we will explore some possible Guidelines and will look forward to finding out what independent archaeologists want.

12.30 Lunch

1.30 David Miles, Chief Archaeologist of English Heritage will lead discussion as to how English Heritage can help.

2.30 The Portable Antiquities Scheme. Roger Bland, the head of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, will lead discussion as on the Portable Antiquities scheme and whether it should have a closer relationship with local societies.

3.15 Education, training and support. The HADAS initiative: introduction by Andrew Selkirk, Chairman of the Hendon and District Archaeological Society

with comments from: Don Henson (CBA Education Officer)

and Stephen Carter, Headland Archaeology, who is doing a survey on behalf of the |Institute of Field Archaeology, and CHNTO (The Cultural Heritage National Training Organisation).

4.00 - Tea

4.30 Demonstration of the new CIA Resistivity meter. (This will be outdoors: in case of rain, this may be switched to Sunday, 11.00)

7.30 Conference Dinner

Sunday 23rd September

9.30 The Archaeology Fair: The Best of British Archaeology

including:
Eric Houlder
Albert Daniels
Lillian Ladle (Wareham)
Piddington Roman Villa
Whitehall Farm (Steve Young)

10.30: Coffee/tea and biscuits

11.00:
Geoffrey Mein (Trostrey, Gwent)
Sylvia Beaumon (Royston Caves)
Peter Fitzgerald (Aberystwyth)
Ed Archer (Lanark)

12.30 - Lunch

4.00 Close

As at past congresses, it will be possible to organise exhibitions to illustrate work.

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