Dear all,

Had a look in the job section, and couldn't see any.

So just wondering if anyone knows of any units that do purely geophysics and / or surveying, in the south-west, Bristol, Wales regions who could possibly accept voluenteers this summer?

Thanks in advance.

http://www.pasthorizons.tv/tv/view/109/t...n-emperor/

first peak at the new Mummy film... very topical.. with Terracota warriors and all

Fave line: " So these are the good undead guys? "

Yup, wev'e all been there!

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

I know I know... misuse of BAJR..

my dear friend from times past amanda clarke is directing the fab training dig at Silchester ..

There is space for 3 excavation assistants, and other psots..

here is one of the posts

http://www.bajr.org/employment/UKEmploym...sp?ID=7733

Its not often you get to work on cracking archaeology...



"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

Hello BAJR,

I'm an Archaeologist and Project Manager for a professional archaeology firm in the southeastern US. I was speaking with some of my workmates this morning about the differences between European/UK and American archaeological recording methods. I've had training in both, and I see that both methods are appropriate for different data sets.

In Europe/UK as far as I know most people use some flavour of Single Context Planning, which focuses on stratigraphic relationships (vertical). Our site investigations tend to deal more with horizontal artifact distribution rather than vertical stratigraphic relationships, as the latter are very often destroyed in advance of our investigation. Logging agriculture is very common in the southeastern US, and results in extremely deep ridges and furrows, and pretty much destroys any vertical stratigraphy. We often work in deep plow zones which we excavate in arbitrary 10 cm levels.

I know that plowing happened/s in the UK and Europe, so how do you address it in your recording? Is it generally treated like any other context or is it written off due to disturbance? How would you approach documenting a site with no discernible vertical stratigraphy?

Would very much appreciate any insight into this that anyone can offer.

Thanks!
Alys

http://www.bajr.org/employment/uktrainin...sp?id=3572

A new course that will teach real management in archaeology

perhaps its about time that we learned it (those of us that are archaeologists first and managers second)

the time is coming.... so we have to consider becoming a bit more business-like and that does not mean watching Alan Sugar on the Apprentice, and passing that off as a CPD in management!

So give it some thought... and NO I am not on commission..
more concerned about all our futures!



"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

I would want to send this to Mike Heyworth on Sunday night for him to get on Monday... the meeting is on 20th in London

Here is the text I have banged out...

Please please please go over it... correct it, edit it, sort my grammer... whatever/... make it something susinct that APPAG can hold onto..

It is an indisputable fact that pay and conditions in our sector, although improving gradually, through various measures, is still significantly below the countries average wage, and for most of those employed in Field archaeology, this is further complicated by intermittent work, and short term contracts, were conditions of employment are almost invariably and the basic legal minimum. The question to be considered, is how APPAG can influence the entire profession, while acknowledging that the sector is comprised of a range of employers, from local government through universities and private contractors.

The key seems to be the local government services themselves, accounting for some 20% of all employed archaeologists (Aitcheson, Profiling the Profession 1999) where a regarding exercise in Cornwall, seems to have found what many of us knew already, that professional and skilled workers such as archaeologists were being deeply undervalued in both worth and public benefit. The recent IFA sponsored benchmarking, that BAJR was involved in, clearly shows the same, where JEGs scoring significantly increased the value of any given individual working in the Historic Environment. Pay and conditions can only be improved once the decline in resourcing for local authority archaeological advice is halted, and a common standard for archaeological work actually enforced across the UK. With a strong Curatorial service that is integrated fully into the planning process, with a statutory position, and a stable and funded HER in each county, the process of governing standards allows quality over price to be enforced.

The grading of council archaeologists should also be consistent across the country, where a development control archaeologist in Wales, for example, should be on the same pay grade as a similar job in Surrey or Northumberland. An excavation assistant in Dorset, would be on the same grade as one employed by Tyne and Wear.

This would have the effect of both reinforcing the findings of the IFA benchmarking, and provide a platform for other sector employers to consider their own pay scales.

Local Govt payscale rises of 2% would not be adequate to meet the expected rises, and so I would recommend a suitable phasing of the increase, over perhaps 5 years.

In addition formal, affordable external or inhouse training should be seen as integral to progression both in terms of career and pay scale... this should be seen as investment in all our futures as currently, the drop off in skilled archaeologists is becoming a serious issue. In many cases it is hard to find many staff who have more than a year of experience, and often it is counted in months.

Benefits could be considered to ensure field staff are not 'starting fresh' at each new contract which creates a cycle of poverty and resentment, where your knowledge and experience is not rewarded, but ignored.

APPAGs clear message was a desire to see the archaeological sector act swiftly and with a general consensus. The consensus is there, the understanding of training is there, if difficult to finance, but we need the government to actively guide the councils and other government agencies to accept a national strengthening of the Historic Environment as a whole, and the regarding of positions specifically. An achievable and realistic goal that will underpin the entire future of raising pay and conditions across the whole sector.

BAJR will, as ever, offer any support that would make this possible.



"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

Past Horizons has 6 WHS 4#8243; Archaeology Trowels (slight scratching on the handles but brand new) to give away (we will pay for postage) to a Community Archaeology Project anywhere in the world.

In return we would ask the winner for an article for Past Horizons online magazine http://www.pasthorizons.com/magazine about your project along with good photographs.

To win the trowels just email us and say why your group should get the trowels in not more than 20 words, by the end of May. We will put the best ones in a hat and pick a winner.

The winner will be notified on the 1st June.

Email us at: info@pasthorizons.com

Maggie


"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

Does anyone know whether or not as an employee you are entitled to demand a contract stating your terms and conditions of employment or if it is legal for a company to just say that it is the same as last time you worked for them and refuse to give you a new dated contract?

This is a big thanks to all those of you who signed the save Bangor museum petition and helped publise the plee. Although not a definate save there is at the moment a stay of execution.

IT is agreed to keep the museum open for another year and review the situation, and a few mp and ams are pledging support so fingers crossed and a bit grin for a small battle won.

Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to sign up xxxxxx:face-stir::face-stir:

A new organization representing women in British archaeology.

From their website:
"British Women Archaeologists was founded at the beginning of 2008 as a facebook group. Created and promoted by current postgraduate students and employed archaeologists, it seeks to offer a place where women studying or working within the discipline can communicate, share experiences and find support. Since its creation in January interest in the group has exceeded expectations. The first meeting of BWA is planned for 30th May 2008 and will discuss the need for a womens group within archaeology, how the group should function and what its main role/aim will be. Please use the link for more details.

In an attempt to assess the status of women in archaeology, to gain information regarding attitdues to sex equality within the discipline and to determine what demand there is for a womens group in Archaeology we have developed a short questionnaire. Views from men are both welcomed and encouraged. A survey of this kind has only been undertaken once before, by the IFA in 1990. To understand the specific issues that affect women in modern Archaeology and to create a group that reflects the needs of the discipline we would like as many archaeologists as possible to contribute. Please follow the link on the right to be taken to the survey - voice your opinion!

Please ensure your survey is received by 25th May so results can be discussed at the meeting."

More details see: http://britishwomenarchaeologists.org.uk/