Page 279 - Manual for Activities directed at the Underwater Cultural Heritage

of this part of the report is a description of mistakes and omissions. Everyone makes mistakes. It is only by spe- cifying them that it will be possible to eliminate the same mistakes in the future, or to take them into account. In this way, the research process can undergo continual improvement.
The final report of an archaeological project should ideally follow the structure indicated in the text-box. Following such a template will help to include all the necessary infor- mation. The listed elements are different in character and will be briefly discussed.
Title page (and verso)
The first page of the report should give its title (which should provide a precise indication of the subject matter), the authors, the archaeological site and the date of elaboration. The reverse of the title page is reserved for copyright information. Reports can be produced for a small, specific audience, but even so, one should include all the details that will allow bibliographic referencing, such as place and date. One should consider giving the report an International Standard Book Number (ISBN), which will greatly help future users to identify it. Each country has a national ISBN-office that assigns such numbers on demand. Even reports that will only be published digitally can now get an ISBN-number. If the report is part of a series, which will often be the case, there is also the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN). Periodicals will have an ISSN. Book-series will also have an ISSN, while individual books in the series have an ISBN in addition. The copyright page or verso of the title page includes a colophon, a list of key-words and these numbers.
Acknowledgements
The scientific or material support of partners or contributors should be acknowledged as well as sponsors or other partners and then, all individuals
An archaeological report should include
• Title page (and verso)
• Acknowledgements
• Table of Contents
• Abstract / Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Account of activities, responsibilities and personnel involved
• Results and findings
- facts
- interpretation
• Conclusions and recommendations
• Information on the project archive
• References
• Appendices
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Reporting