A broad subject, but you may assist significantly in the creation of a full project report, popular article or news report.

Archaeologists use data compiled from research, field work and scientific or specialist analysis to document and report on archaeological sites, surveys or research.

The standards and guidance for archaeological documentation can be dependant on both the target audience and the body who required the report or publication, however the basic outline will remain the same.

 

 

PRINCIPLE: To synthesise the various elements of project data into a coherent document that is suitably written for a variety of audiences.

 

• Novice – Can contribute to the process of creation but is unable to complete a section without supervision.
• Competent – Is able to contribute to the process of creating a report or publication, though requires supervision to complete – can be given sections to complete by themselves.
  
• Proficient – Is able to envisage the completed report or publication with confidence and can assemble the required elements to create a section for a document or article with accompanying figures and images that can be submitted for editing.
  

Professional tips:

First lay out the main elements you will need, in some cases, this will require discussion with specialists, who may be providing elements to your report or illustrators who are providing the figures – often the illustrations are dependant on the text and the text on the illustrations – so be prepared to revise.   The photographs should be used to enhance the report and must be relevant and in the right location within the text, which is also true of the illustrative figures.

The basic elements of a report are as follows  Summary –  Introduction  –  Objectives –  Methodology  –  Results  –  Specialist Reports  –  Conclusions  –  Appendices  –  Bibliography

To a certain degree the principals are the same, however, you should ensure rigorous checking of details, data and bibliographic references.   Using standard formatting for academic papers and journals shows that you understand the requirements of the academic community and this in itself helps boost your credibility.

Like report writing, a press release follows a standard format, ensure you provide enough information to allow the journalist to quickly make sense of what you are describing, ensure you provide images (and links to high resolution images ) with captions and credits in a separate document.  Ensure you provide quotes and additional contact details

 

Read BAJR Guide 23: Recording, Report, and other templates for further guidance

 OASIS: Online AccesS to the Index of archaeological investigationS
The OASIS project brings together a number of strategic partners: the Archaeology Data Service, the Archaeological Investigations Project (AIP) of Bournemouth University, the Archaeology Commissions Section of English Heritage, the National Monuments Record of English Heritage, Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland under the umbrella of the University of York

• PLOSone format guidelines
• Antiquity contributions
• Editorial, Procedural and Stylistic Policies of the Plains Anthropologist

The following film (48mins) is an excellent grounding in what publishers are looking for –