CIfA 2021 A Guide for Clients

GUIDANCE FOR CL IENTS PROFESSIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY | A GUIDE FOR CLIENTS 2021 13 ARCHAEOLOGY AND PUBLIC BENEFIT Social benefits can be closely linked to the historic environment, in particular benefits for individuals through learning and development and the ability to acquire new skills (such as volunteering). Community strength and cultural identity can be enhanced through contact with the historic environment through community heritage projects. These projects can engage diverse groups of people, from refugee groups to the homeless, young offenders and injured service personnel, offering new skills, confidence, the opportunity to become an active citizen and to connect with a shared human past. There is also evidence that engaging with the historic environment can make a significant contribution to community wellbeing and promote social and human capital, leading to improvement in health, wealth, and education. A professional archaeologist can tell you how to approach the investigation of the historic environment with the widest public benefit. Examples of projects showcasing a range of ways in which public benefit can be delivered are on our website at https://bit.ly/3v9pttq. ARCHAEOLOGY AND SOCIAL VALUE Many larger companies monitor themselves against self- imposed criteria for responsible business performance, adherence to legal and ethical standards and their contribution to society and social development. Engaging with professional archaeologists offers the opportunity for such organisations to demonstrate ▪ the value they place on ethics and integrity – professional archaeologists are bound by a code of conduct ▪ their respect for the environment – professional archaeologists know what is best for the historic environment ▪ responsible business conduct – many professional archaeological organisations are local and small businesses ▪ a contribution to training and capacity building – professional archaeologists have a strong training ethos and commitment to workplace learning © Allen Archaeology