Assessment of Historical Archaeology Collections

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Introduction

The article done by Smith et al. (2019) is a comprehensive exploration of the practices for long-term management of artifacts recovered from archaeological excavations. The authors feel that there should be a deep assessment of historical archaeology collections from non-Aboriginal points. There is a ‘rapid assessment system’ that was developed in 2013, and so far, it has been technically applied to more than 150 collections (Smith et al. , 2019). The article presents a case study of the application of important investigation to an archaeological collection that is developed from efficient allocation of resources and management of historical artifacts.

The Response to Curation Crisis

For more than one hundred years, archaeological materials have accumulated in vast deposits due to excavation; hence, it requires protection and proper storage. Due to that issue, here is what has been referred to as the curation crisis, which has led to the formation of legal statutory in many countries to recover archaeological material before they get lost in vast amounts (Schindel & Cook, 2018). Due to the significance of the materials, academic research has collaborated with salvage excavation which has led to the continuous creation of many collections and the elements that can boost conserving the archaeological materials

Reasons for Conservation of Archaeological Materials

Archaeologists say that conserving excavated materials enhances research about the human past when questions are asked about the same. Additionally, excavation of archaeological sites distorts the environment; hence, materials must be retained and taken care of to avoid unnecessary losses. However, the archaeological materials from these sites may not show all the data on past humans (Holdaway,et al., 2018). Thus, there is a need to carefully interact with the deposits to gain educational perspectives and fragment the artifacts in the order of importance.

Excavation of Archaeological Materials: Victorian Perspective

The authors have acknowledged the efforts that have been made in the last twenty years to excavate non-Aboriginal sites in Victoria. That has happened due to development-centric commercial archaeological projects. There has been the creation of legislation that led to archaeological assemblages, making the management of collections in Victoria unique. For example, the Heritage Act of 2017 has been established to leverage the matters of archaeological excavation (Smith,et al., 2019). There is Heritage Victoria (HV) that aids in assisting in matters storage and conservation of materials.

Further Factors in Victorian Context

The HV has assisted in recovering more than 90,000 artifacts from 171 sites around the state (Smith et al., 2019). The materials collected help represent a tangible history of the initial Europeans and the aboriginal people who settled and formed a colonial power in Victoria. Through the Heritage Act and HV, various plans have been successful through general collections and management of permits. Therefore, Victoria state has shown a responsible collaboration in conserving archaeological materials that ease variable values and documentation for funding. HV collections have been necessitated by various long-term strategies for practicing archaeology appropriately, hence showing understanding of the Australian heritage community.

Significance of HV Collections

Through studies conducted by reviewing data from researchers, there is the spatial context in archaeological collections. The HV collections show assemblage status by using relevant and meaningful data to conclude from various perspectives (Holdaway et al., 2018). Through the collections, there is the presentation of historical themes that help leverage the context of diversity. Through the collections, research potential is evident, which helps in realizing accompanying conclusions about the data derived (Smith et al., 2019). Additionally, when the collections are presented, there is an examination of culture and science that can be useful in grouping data and reaching the results.

The Rapid Assessment System

The HV held a desktop study regarding archaeology as one way of developing documentation and drawings of heritage registers. Through the rapid assessment system (RAS), major reports in excavation, electronic catalogues and site cards are maintained to show the cultural and diversity cues in respect to the human past in the Australian context. RAS is two-stage assessment criteria that provide baseline evaluation against a key data criterion (Smith et al., 2019). Through RAS, ignorance of the collections is indicated, and the relative aspect of the matter can be seen in the results. The RAS system was reviewed in consultation with academicians and consultants in archaeological matters.

Stages in the RAS System

The first stage involves a numerical assigning of values by giving all scores available significance and rank in the collection. The values in this stage show the relative importance of HV collections. The collections were grouped after a score was derived as low, moderate and high significance (Smith et al., 2019). In the other stage, a matrix was developed that recovered heritage significance, indicating the management priority for collections (Emerson & Hoffman, 2019). Various criterion was used, such as heritage, documentary and archaeological. By having all these sections in obtaining tangible data, RAS facilitated records of information about collections and the values that must be developed in relation to archaeology.

Discussion Questions

When reviewing the RAS system about HV collections, a reader will be proactive to think about a raft of issues. The first one is the management of artifacts during the process. The question is how possible is it for the researchers to find significant results since not all archaeological materials are useful? (Smith, 2017). The reason that triggers the question is the fact that reliability certain materials may show variance. The obtaining of results is another critical matter since a study must have reflections that help build another research based on the area of interest so that there are no gaps left. Victoria state have a concise plan to conserve the archaeological materials while allowing accessibility of the same to third parties.

Conclusion

The article is about assessing the significance of RAS for historical archaeology collections. The development of the system ensured improvement in artifact management when excavating. The Victoria state has integrated principles and criteria as reflected in Heritage Act. The benefits of RAS included understanding of collections held by HV. Additionally, there was a chance to think of strategies to manage the collections. RAS enabled the provision of a mechanism to retrieve and record reports on knowledge accumulated. The project is of value to others since it can be adapted for academic discoveries. There is the easy articulation of measures to evaluate the significance of collections in Victoria through RAS.

References

Emerson, P., & Hoffman, N. (2019). Technical, political, and social issues in archaeological collections data management. Advances in Archaeological Practice, 7(3), 258-266. doi: 10.1017/AAP.2019.19

Holdaway, S., Emmitt, J., Phillipps, R., & Masoud-Ansari, S. (2018). A minimalist approach to archaeological data management design. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 26(2), 873-893. doi: 10.1007/s10816-018-9399-6

Schindel, D., & Cook, J. (2018). The next generation of natural history collections. PLOS Biology, 16(7), e2006125. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2006125

Smith, A., Lawrence, S., Muir, A., & Smith, J. (2019). Is it that important? A rapid assessment system for historical archaeology collections. Australasian Historical Archaeology, 37(2019), 18-25.

Smith, J. (2017). The city revealed: Reflections on 25 years of archaeology in Melbourne. Lessons from the past and future challenges. International Journal of Historical Archaeology, 22(1), 67-77. doi: 10.1007/s10761-017-0415-4

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