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Fieldwork: Important!

1. NDAS Constitution:
It is proposed to re-word clause 10 of the Society’s constitution to bring it in line with recent changes in its membership and range of activities.
At present Clause 10 reads:
Members are encouraged to carry out individual field research, but no member, unless working as a professional, or under the authority of an archaeological society or a recognised archaeologist, may conduct or take part in any archaeological excavation. It shall be the duty of every member who makes a discovery, or who hears of the threatened destruction of any site or object of apparent archaeological value, to report the facts to the Secretary and the appropriate authority.
The proposed wording is:
Members are encouraged to carry out individual field research. Any member proposing to engage in excavation, having gained all necessary permissions, shall do so as an archaeological professional or with the approval of a professional archaeological officer or with the authority of this or another archaeological society and shall carry out work to a nationally agreed standard. It shall be the duty of every member who makes a discovery, or who hears of the threatened destruction of any site or object of apparent archaeological value, to report the facts to the Society’s General Committee and the appropriate authority This is included here so that you can consider the wording of this clause and pass comment. Any decision on a change of wording will be taken at the 2007 AGM.

2. Guidelines for Fieldwork:
Before getting round to excavation however, there are many stages that an investigation may go through from first noticing something interesting to setting up a full-scale project. Below is a set of guidelines for the assistance of any member wishing to engage in fieldwork at any level.
1 Before entering on private land, contact the landowner and get permission.
2 Use your NDAS membership card as your credentials (but not as a “get out of jail free” card!)
3 Before embarking on anything that affects a scheduled ancient monument, apply to English Heritage for ancient monument consent.
4 For insurance purposes, inform the Society’s Committee of and seek approval for your intended project or activity.
And for those who have got this far:
5 In order to gain respect for your results, make sure that your project is thoroughly prepared: a) Do the necessary background research (deskbased study) and prepare a project outline (detailing stages and levels of investigation from survey to excavation).
b) Communicate your intentions and any results to the Society and to the relevant archaeological officer.
c) Cost your project. The Society may be able to help.
d) Make sure you know how the results are to be recorded and publicised.
e) Ensure the proper archiving of finds (local museum) and reports (local museum, record office, Historic Environment Record).