The National Trust began to keep a basic paper record of monuments
located on its land over 20 years ago. The NTSMR was first computerised in the 1980s and is now one
of the most comprehensive sources of information on managing and interpreting the historic landscape.
With information covering management, monitoring and primary site research, the
NTSMR represents one of the largest SMRs in the UK. It is the result of amalgamating different archives
and a constant process of expansion, relying on information inputted by our regional archaeology staff.
Access to the resource is gained through the master SMR that is managed by the central archaeology section.
The NTSMR performs an active role in helping to develop standards
and promote access to information and best-practices in archaeology amongst a variety of interested
organisations.
It both requires and encourages a close relationship with county SMR’s, English
Heritage, Royal Commission for Historic Ancient Monuments in Wales and Environment Heritage Service
(Northern Ireland).
The Trust has now adopted the Exegesis HBSMR, which has been developed under the
direction of ALGAO (the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers) and English Heritage.
It incorporates MIDAS (A Manual and Data Standard for Monument Inventories), the latest national data
standards. The Trust has been involved in setting these MIDAS data standards by participating in the
Forum on Information Standards in Heritage.
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