Assessing and Measuring: On Quality in Development-led Archaeology

Abstract

The concept of quality has become the subject of inten- sive discussion in almost all aspects of society in recent years and development-led archaeology is no exception. Results showing a lack of quality have been observed both in countries which choose to use systems based on competitive tendering and in those where development- led archaeology is conducted solely by official institu- tions. In this article the authors discuss the essential elements for achieving good quality in development- led archaeology as required by the Swedish Heritage Act. They also discuss how Swedish development-led archaeology can be enhanced and what is needed to achieve and maintain quality.