Archaeologists are desperately needed in Scotland not only to protect the country’s historical heritage, but also to allow major development projects to come on stream.
More specialists should be trained and be paid higher salaries, according to heritage agencies.
There already have been warnings that the largest infrastructure plans such as the £55.7 billion HS2 high speed rail linking London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, could be delayed for want of archaeologists to examine any artefacts discovered during construction.
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But there is also concern that such massive undertakings could in themselves exacerbate the problem, by attracting many of the archaeologists who are available.
A recent report by English Heritage said “Initial indications are that there is a projected shortage of between 25 per cent and 64 per cent in the available workforce needed to service the archaeological needs of the proposed projects.”
Eila Macqueen, Director of Archaeology Scotland said, there were pressing issues north as well as south of the border: "The archaeology sector has been severely impacted by the recession, losing 30 per cent of its workforce, most of whom have permanently left the profession. As the development sector starts to recover, there will be a need for more professional archaeologists, not just in England but in all of the UK , to look after our heritage and strengthen our economy.
"Development-led archaeology recently found Scotland's oldest known house, at 10,000 years, during the construction of the Forth Replacement Crossing."
She said that following the discovery of the Galloway Hoard of Viking treasure by metal detectorist Derek McLennan in south west in 2014, there had been a multi-organisation response. This had "resulted in this immensely important gold and silver collection of objects, being recorded and assessed by trained archaeologists and safeguarded for the future."
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The National Museum of Scotland, the then Historic Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council and the archaeological contractors AOC Archaeology, had worked together ensure it was saved for Scotland.
She continued: "As the development sector recovers, we will need more professional archaeologists to ensure that our heritage is recorded and safeguarded for future generations to enjoy, that it continues to help bring in the £59 billion in tourism revenue to the UK and helps us learn about our past."
The English Heritage report said over 40 major infrastructure projects were planned across the UK in the period 2015–33 with the majority falling in the period 2015- 21. The total capital cost was calculated to be £464.9bn.
The report says “The historic environment specialist input to these projects will typically be needed in the first few years, depending on the specific construction plans of the project. The peak co-incident activity lies in the period 2016-20.”
Included on the list are the 84 turbine £2.6 billion Beatrice Offshore windfarm off the coast of Caithness and developments and Aberdeen and Edinburgh airports.
The report says of the shortage of archaeologists “It is unlikely that existing academic qualification routes can deliver the necessary expansion in competent workers in the timescales available. The sector should therefore invest in training its workforce in the skills needed by fully engaging with the nascent apprenticeship under development with key employers.
Read more: Herald View - Let's protect the past by recruiting more archaeologists
“It should also use the coming increase in demand for archaeological and other historic environment services as a means
of addressing the below average pay and conditions which have led to previous loss of capacity.”
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