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This article focuses on the development of preventive and commercial archaeology in Europe during the last thirty years by examining the case of Italy. This country has a mixed public-private system, where the law establishes that the State manages all archaeological activities, although archaeological services are provided mainly by private individuals or companies and funded by private developers. This framework leads to a mismatch between law and practice, which impedes the development of professional archaeology and the full implementation of the Valletta principles. The issue is examined from an historical perspective, from the 1970s to the present day, and is augmented by a brief analysis of the current trends in cultural heritage policy. The study concentrates on the regulatory elements of archaeological activities, since these legal matters are generally overlooked by scholars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article tackles various issues related to post-medieval/historical archaeology worldwide as of November 15, 2017. These issues include the laws on archaeological heritage in Spain, the condition of later historical archaeology on Borneo, post-medieval archaeology, and government and professional support for archaeologists.

This paper reviews legislation relating to the safeguarding and management of Oman's diverse archaeological resource. It focuses on the National Heritage Protection Law (NHPL), other national legislation and regulations, and international conventions signed by the Omani Government. It also discusses the extent to which these existing legislative tools support the management of the nation's archaeological resource and the socio-economic changes that are taking place in the country. The paper also examines whether the legislation in place is apt for purposes of identification, management, conservation, research and for development planning needs. Certain concerns are raised. For example, the NHPL has not been amended since it was issued in 1980 and the issue of archaeology protection is absent from related national laws, especially those covering activities related to the environment, municipalities, mining and tourism. What also emerges is that current legislation has not fully been implemented by the relevant organisations, which consequently has negatively affected Oman's archaeological resource management. Finally, the paper proposes the evaluation of all the legislative tools that govern archaeological practice in Oman. It also urges an updating of the NHPL in accordance with new theoretical and practical changes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Generating new knowledge in rescue archaeology is the prime goal regardless of which system is dominant. The market-oriented ‘capitalist’ model does not generate new knowledge in an adequate way, because it is volatile and prone to crises, and often detached from a wider up-to-date scientific environment. The ‘Dutch’ model presented by Van de Dries as a compromise between the state-financed ‘socialist’ and ‘capitalist’ models is here criticized. It is suggested that the Norwegian and Swedish state-supported models hold the greatest potential. A further point is that large museums or university museums may be the best place to locate excavation units as it is only there that we can play out in full the potential for knowledge production and management, processing as well as disseminating material culture as more than just texts. Generating knowledge at museums, from research-oriented field work to research-generating exhibitions involves the local authorities in a better way than does the Dutch model. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this article, the author examines the ways in which archaeological and legal interests in hoards intersect in Great Britain. The author examines several laws regarding archaeological assemblages, including the Treasure Act of 1996 and the Portable Antiquities Scheme, focusing on these laws' ability to meet, complement and support the needs of archaeologists. The question of whether the public can be expected to a play a role in the collection and protection of hoards is also addressed.

Methodologies and legislative frameworks regarding the excavation, retrieval, analysis, curation and potential reburial of human skeletal remains different throughout Europe. As work forces within Europe and beyond have become increasingly mobile and international research collaborations are steadily increasing, the need for a more comprehensive understanding of different national research traditions, methodologies and legislative structures within the academic and commercial sector of physical anthropology has arisen. Establishing how human osteoarchaeology is practiced and dealt with throughout Europe and beyond will promote sharing knowledge between countries and form the basis for pan-European exchanges and discussions on the best practice. The current paper focuses on an ongoing project entitled 'Physical Anthropology and Legislation: European Perspectives and Beyond' and provides insight into some of the results obtained so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses on the significance of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) towards archaeologists and the archaeology profession as a whole. According to the author, NHPA is a significant legislation in so far as the profession is concerned; however, it did not get the due attention from archaeologists. NHPA gave archaeologists more responsibility which include evaluation of cultural sites threatened by federal undertakings.

The article examines the general question of proprietary rights in archeology and the duty of archaeologists working abroad to be sensible to the political conditions in which their work is conducted. This analysis is in response to a letter from Aleksandr Formozov regarding the new excavations at Staroselye Cave on the Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine, which brings up several ethical issues of archaeological concern that merit more extended discussion. The author laments that Formozov and his colleagues should respond for themselves concerning what perhaps should have been done or who should have been conferred relative to the reinvestigation of this important Palaeolithic site.

The article focuses on the cultural resource management (CRM) legislation in the U.S. that was implemented for the management of cultural resources and heritage in the country. It explores the changes in the manner by which the CRM is implemented when professional archaeologists have been integrated into the business sector as private consultants. It also presents some examples of problems encountered after a CRM contract is in effect, and examines archaeologists' authority limitations. The author believes that in order for professional archaeological consultants to professionally represent their clients, they must enable clients to comply with the recommendations of the regulatory agency.