Background
The Professional Development Cell (PDC) was established, primarily by Caroline Phillips and Amanda Young, c.2005 to address a significant gap in the provision of continuing training for New Zealand Archaeologists. They ran the PDC for 10 years, offering 2-3 courses per year on a range of topics, including: midden analysis, human remains, artefact analysis, identifying garden soils, the use of survey equipment, and C14 dating. The membership of the PDC organising group remained relatively stable for many years, with Caroline Phillips continuing to be the driving force. Although not a formal part of NZAA, the PDC reported at the AGM on an annual basis as to what had occurred in the previous year. At the 2015 Conference it was announced that the PDC was being wound up – the principals felt that they run their course and it was now time for others to meet the need.
This has created an opportunity for the NZAA to take up the challenge to provide a training/CPD programme for its members – whether professionals or interested amateurs.
