 
Draft Guidelines for the Portable Antiquities Scheme and Independent ArchaeologyThe Annual Report of the Portable Antiquities Scheme for 1999-2000 noted (page 17): "There have been fewer opportunities for amateurs to become involved in archaeology as a volunteer, with the commercialisation of archaeology over the last decade or so resulting from introduced planning guidance (PPG 16)". This accords very much with the experience of the CIA which has observed with alarm the decline in the fieldwork capability of many archaeological societies, and the resulting loss of local focus which we believe should form the grassroots of archaeology. Local societies are often the repository of huge amounts of archaeological knowledge, but they have lost the confidence to display or use this knowledge. We wish to put forward these suggestions as to how the Portable Antiquities Liaison Officers can help local societies regain their focus and their confidence, to their mutual benefit. As a first draft, we would offer the following guidelines: Which Societies are interested?
1. A list of active local archaeological societies should be compiled in each area, together with their interests and capabilities. (We are proposing that archaeological officers should hold this). These should note essentially the area that each society covers, and for which it considers itself to be a 'stakeholder'. The Liaison officers should extend these lists to include the particular interest and expertise of the society and it members in various classes of objects. This could be extended to include any other interested individuals, including 'collectors' who are knowledgeable in their own fields. Identification of Objects2. The Liaison Officers should use the expertise of the local societies and collectors to assist in the identification of objects. As far as possible the societies should be encouraged to become the recognised 'experts' in their fields, so that relevant objects will always be referred to them for identification. Where fairs and other identification sessions are held, the local societies should be invited to participate as experts, on the same footing as local museums and other professional archaeologists. Visiting3. Where the sites from which objects were recovered can be identified, the local societies should be given the opportunity to visit such sites, field walk them, prospect them with the new Resistivity meter that is being manufactured for the CIA, and where feasible, carry out trial excavations. Treasure Trove4. Treasure-Trove. Where objects of Treasure Trove are reported, the local stakeholders' (i.e. the local society) should he notified at the same time as the British Museum and other authorities. If excavations are deemed necessary or indeed possible in the vicinity of the find, the local society should normally he invited to undertake this work. Where the site is of such importance that a professional team needs to be brought in, they should be encouraged to liaise with the local society. Publicity should where possible be channelled through the local society. In conclusion5. We believe that such a scheme could be of mutual benefit to both sides. For the local society it would provide work to he done, sites to be visited and explored, and it would help build up the confidence which at present is so sorely lacking. For the Portable Antiquities Scheme it would provide local support and prevent the build-up of an 'us and them' mentality and help overcome the democratic deficiency sometimes perceived as a drawback of the scheme. This support is essential to help persuade the Government to continue to fund the scheme should the current Lottery funding come to an end. For archaeology generally it would help build up the grassroots support for archaeology which is at present in danger of withering away.
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