already being used to record satellite data and can hold very large quantities of data on a small surface area of tape. The cost per megabyte of storage is very small, bur at present the cost of setting up the basic system is prohibitive. Although GiS systemsmight seem a very distant application in conservation, the impetus to adopt this technology will come from wider planning needs. Over the next five years, all councils will become increasingly intensive users of this technology, building large property and land management databases for planning and administration. As part of this process, the application of GIS for conservation officers and archaeologists alike will become more apparent. CONCLUSIONS The last ten years have seen rapid progress in the introduction of computer technology to archaeology, in recording fieldwork and in establishing databases for use in development control. In the last five years, the advent of substantial technological advances in microcomputers, coupled with the falling costs of hardware and software have resulted in viable SMR systems becoming established in every county. This article has attempted to describe these databases and their potential relation to building conservation. Although SMRs are not primarily concerned with recording buildings, many of their requirements will also apply to members of the Association developing databases for use in conservation. The technology to build very sophisticated text databases is already available, and at a reasonable price. In the next five to ten years, major advances in GIS systems are likely to reduce the emphasis on textual records, in favour of geographical display and analysis. This could have considerable ramifications for the way the data are stored, manipulated and understood by the conservation and archaeological fraternity. However, this potential will only be realised if the appropriate expertise is harnessed to build the databases we really require, which can answer the needs of tomorrow as well as today. REFERENCES I Booth, B.K.W.: Site specific data - a standard for data transfer. Archaeological computing newslette1: August 1988. 2 Chadburn, A: "Computerized county Sites and Monuments Records in England - an overview for their structure. development and progress." To be published in Computer Applications in Archaeology, 1989, Proceedings of the York Conference. BAR International Series, 1990. 3 Department of the Environment: "Handling Natural Fine-Sawn York Stone Paving - ='~-~= ----~===~~ . ,; ' . ;.,: '-:,">\£:.?'r~'\~~~,~~-~-~·:>'.,:.:f;-.v;,;y geographic information". Report to the Secretary of State for the Environment of the Committee of Enquiry into the Handling of Geographic Infomrntion, 1987. 4 Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments: "England's Archaeological Resource: A rapid quantification of the national archaeological resource and a comparison with the schedule of Ancient Monuments", 1984. 5 Lang N.A.R.:"Sites and Monuments records in urban areas: problems and possibilities". To be published in Computer Applications in Archaeology. 1989, Proceedings of the York Conference. BAR International Series. 1990. Neil Lang is West Midlands Sites and Monuments Officer and is with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. Natural, Fine-Sawn York Stone paving available from Stock. A CHOICE of FIFTEEN faithful Period Designs in .l"\. exact sizes to suit, individually proportioned and handmade in Seasoned Pine or Mahogany. The paving from the Elland Edge, Greenmoor & Haslingden beds of Flagrock is the hardest and most durable stone paving produced. Details from the Quarry Sales Office: Marshalls Mono Limited Head Office: Southowram, Halifax HX3 9SY Telephone: (0422) 366666 Fax: (0422) 330185 Telex: 517087 MARSHL G Order Office Fax: (0422) 348079 --- -------------------------- CONTEXT 25 'FOUR PANEL' (lntmor) 'EDWARDlAN' (ExterWr) 'AMERICAN' (Exterior) GEORGE EDWARDSROAD FAKENHAM NORFOLK NR21 8NL TELEPHONE 0328 864933 17
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