Of Process & Practice: Exploring developer funded archaeology and London’s more recent past,1800 to the present day

Monday 6 June 2011 - 10:00
Wilberforce Theatre, Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, London E14 4AL

How does PPS5 change the way we view the archaeology of the last 200 years?

Full day conference: 10am-4.45pm

London is largely a 19th and 20th-century city, yet until comparatively recently, the below-ground archaeology of the last two hundred years was dismissed as modern disturbance, and its built heritage viewed as a seemingly endless resource. The scope for a greater understanding of this period has been recently provided by the more holistic approach to heritage assets offered by Planning Policy Statement 5 (PPS5). This document has brought planning policy up to date with practice, eliminating the artificial separation between buried remains and above-ground archaeology, and brought about a focus on the idea that understanding the significance of a site or a landscape plays a role in its investigation, recording, and dissemination.

This CPD opportunity is aimed at professionals who define the significance of these assets, are engaged with the planning process, and carry out fieldwork and research in the historic environment; namely representatives from national heritage agencies, Local Authority planning and conservation officers, archaeological curators, consultants, contractors and community archaeologists.

Through the presentation of short position papers by individuals engaged in every step of the archaeological process, this seminar will stimulate lively discussion about how Londons relatively recent past is understood, and provide a step forward in the development of working methods and standards that take account of Londons diversity within the PPS5 framework.

We will address key questions about the way in which sites are recognised, researched, recorded and ultimately disseminated, whilst highlighting the diverse approaches that can be employed for Londons historic environment for the last two hundred years.

Cost: The attendance fee for delegates is £25; £15 for students and unwaged delegates.
This includes tea and coffee breaks at the museum, and a buffet lunch at the Ledger Building pub, next to the venue.

Further information, including the programme for the day and the booking form, are available here.