National Occupational Standards in
Archaeological Practice

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AG3 Acquire and dispose of archaeological items and collections

AG3.3 Initiate procedures for acquisition and disposal of items and collections

Performance Required

This will involve:

1. Identify clearly the resources required to implement the acquisition or disposal
2. Secure and clearly record approval for acquisition or disposal according to organisational procedures
3. Specify clearly any terms and conditions for the acquisition or disposal
4. Inform all who may have an interest in acquiring an item that it is to be disposed of
5. Ensure that priority for the disposal of items is in line with the disposal policy
6. Specify clearly the parameters for negotiation
7. Agree the use of resources and inform the appropriate people

Occupational Context

1. Resources
   • time
   • money
   • staff
2. Interest in acquiring an item
   • museums
   • educational institutions
   • research institutions

Knowledge Requirements

You need to know and understand how to:

• Specify and interpret terms and conditions for acquisitions and disposals

You need to know about:

• How to record the results of assessing items or collections
• Who may have an interest in acquiring an item that is to be disposed of
• The resources that are normally required for acquisitions and disposals
• The organisational procedures for acquisitions and disposals
• Who has authority to grant approval
• The insurance requirements
• What room for manoeuvre there is during negotiation
• Who should be informed that the acquisition or disposal is being undertaken
• Why disposal is necessary
• What methods of acquisition and disposal would be seen as unethical and why

Required Skills

You should demonstrate:

• How to secure approval
• How to specify the priorities and parameters for disposal of items
• How to justify the decision to the effect that the disposal is both necessary an ethical

Evidence Required

You should provide evidence that you can initiate procedures for acquisition and disposal of items and collections

The candidate should be questioned, based upon the documentation provided, to explore how they:

• initiate procedures for acquisition and disposal of items and collections.

In the case of disposal, evidence should be provided of a gift or an exchange.

In the case of an acquisition, evidence should be provided of a purchase, a bequest or a gift.

Evidence Rules

The candidate should have been involved in negotiating the transfer of rights over items and collections on at least 2 occasions.

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Today's date: 7/9/2010
This page last updated: 27/7/2007 16:17