National Occupational Standards in
Archaeological Practice

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AE1 Characterise the archaeological resource and recommend action

AE1.3 Describe the potential significance of the archaeological resource

Performance Required

This will involve:

1. reviewing all available data on the archaeological resource and its context
2. defining the criteria by which significance will be determined.
3. applying the criteria to determine the basis of advice to interested parties
4. preparing a report assessing the significance of the resource

Occupational Context

1. Criteria will take account of:
   • international, national and local policies
   • legal, regulatory constraints
   • historical significance
   • cultural importance
   • economic potential
   • social/amenity value
   • potential costs and benefits of taking further action
2. Advice to interested parties on
   • preservation, conservation and protection
   • value and worth
   • safety and security
   • investment
   • presentation, exhibition, display and public dissemination
   • contacts, advisory, communicative and professional channels/ networks
   • related research/ accession in the field
   • future developments

Knowledge Requirements

You need to know about:

Resource potential

• Resource profiling
• Investigation requirements: human and material resources
• Legislative, statutory and funding regulations
• Organisational direction and policy

Presentation methods

• According to different user requirements (learning, research, education, entertainment, investment)
• According to different social and cultural profiles of the audience
• According to own professional and archaeological competencies
• According to company or organisational policy and performance strategy.

Required Skills

You should demonstrate:

• Needs analysis
• Risk assessment
• Presentation skills

Evidence Required

You should provide evidence that you can describe the potential significance of the archaeological resource

The candidate should be questioned, based upon the Significance Report, to explore

• the existing and potential significance of the resource, including proposals for immediate and strategic action and for supporting research and analysis.

Evidence Rules

N/A

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Today's date: 4/2/2012
This page last updated: 6/8/2007 10:58