The latest Archaeological Market Survey report shows record levels of commercial investment and employment for archaeologists in the UK.
Key Findings
• £239m investment in the economy through applied archaeology
• In financial year 2017-18 the sector grew in terms of the number of employees , financial turnover and profit levels.
• 6,812 people were employed as professional archaeologists in 2017-18; more than have ever been before, with 13% from the EU
• The majority of businesses in the sector expected to expand significantly in the next year (2018-19) (e.g. in premises, vehicles, capital equipment)
• The overwhelming majority of income came from private sector clients (83%, a slight increase from 81% in 2016-17) with residential housing as the biggest sector, but infrastructure projects were also important.
• Much of this investment is dependent on the planning process having access to expert archaeological advice
• East Anglia and the East Midlands were identified as the most prolific regions for archaeological investment as part of development
• Despite this, the sector’s confidence in the future of the market was declining, and had been since 2015
• Brexit and the under-resourcing of local government planning advice were still considered to be major concerns for the sector
You can download the full report at www.archaeologists.net/profession/profiling
