Verkställighetsföreskrifter, uppdragsarkeologi och konservatorer - Konservatorns integrering inom uppdragsarkeologin

Abstract

To increase the quality and the cost-efficiency of contract archaeology in Sweden a revised regulation for contract archaeology was established the 1st of January 2008. By including find strategy as a concept with special demands in the regulation the Swedish Heritage Board is now hoping that the conservators will be integrated earlier in the archaeological process and that the unpremeditated find accumulations will stop. This is making the competition between the archaeological companies even harder. The questions are how the regulation have affected the role of the conservators in the field of contract archaeology today, what is affecting the integration and the situation, and what can the different stakeholders do to make the collaboration between archaeologists and conservators more professional? The conservators are now hoping that this is the change that will increase the collaboration with the archaeologists, which is important for the finds prosperity and the drive of information. To get an updated and generalised view of the impact of the regulation so far, phone conversations and questionnaires were carried out with archaeologists, conservators, employees at county administrative boards and the Swedish Heritage Board. The answers revealed a generally positive attitude amongst the archaeologists about the conservators’ integration in the archaeological field. It also revealed that most of the archaeologists already are satisfied with the contact they have with the conservators today, while the answers from the conservators proved the opposite. It is still very rare that conservators are part of the practical fieldwork, where the most crucial stage for the finds takes place. The contact is still not constant and the understanding of what the conservators can do is not obvious, and therefore the lack of demand for more contact and practical help. It seems like we are getting closer to the goal, but the communication to a better understanding is still missing and collaboration is scarce. The conservators have to claim their role in the archaeological field and explain their importance in the integration more clearly. If nothing is done, probably nothing will happen.