By comparison, advances in documentary research have been negligible. In short, this has been a golden century for archaeology, its first century of exuberant maturity. In terms of public understanding, those who wish to be reached by archaeology are now reasonably well served. Newspapers, magazines and television are full of archaeological stories. Well-written books appear now and again, and should do so more often as advances in knowledge make the subject more attractive to writers.
Cultural tourism is buoyant.
Formal education can, of course, be improved. But I fear little significant progress without a wholesale shift in our national disposition, towards a respect for the past and its ability to enrich our lives in the present. Conservation is now entrenched in planning practice. Few major developments take place without archaeological involvement. Demolitions of historic buildings are much rarer than 20 years ago.