When archaeologists discuss on-site recording with detectorists the importance of recording in context is often mentioned, I'm not convinced that the point has always been made in the most effective manner.

If a picture paints a thousand words then the video link below is an entire library all by itself.

the video is of a WWI battlefield excavation conducted by No Man's Land Archaeology in Loos, Belgium, originally broadcast on Channel 5 as part of the Battlefield Archaeology series. The programme shows how found human remains were identified by a combination of recording in context, forensic archaeology and documentary research. Other human remains were also found on the site, unfortunately the part of the site in which they were found was nighthawked before any diagnostic evidence could be recorded in context by the excavation team.

<LINK removed due to security threat>

I found the programme extremely powerful and emotive; before anybody comes back on here frothing at the mouth please remember that the detectorists who post on this forum are working with archaeologists towards a more harmonious future and share the archaeologists disdain and anger towards the nighthawkers. They may use the same equipment but they aren't the same people.

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrec...duct=11663
Any persons on here good in Latin? Do you have any information you can add to this record please?

Thanks

Gary



Website for responsible Metal Detecting
http://www.ukdfd.co.uk
Recording Our Heritage For Future Generations.

http://bajrblog.wordpress.com/2008/02/03...gs-closes/

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

Protecting Scotland's rich heritage - no need for full review says the Minister..


The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, Linda Fabiani MSP, has responded to three important reports from the Historic Environment Advisory Council for Scotland (HEACS) about how best to care for Scotland's rich heritage.

The Historic Environment Advisory Council for Scotland was established in 2003 to provide independent strategic advice to Scottish Ministers on issues affecting the historic environment.

Liz Burns, Chair of HEACS, said: "Scotland's extraordinary wealth of historic sites, monuments and buildings makes a huge contribution to the quality and character of our surroundings. The historic environment is also important for tourism, building communities, sustainable development and the Scottish economy. The Council's recommendations are intended to help government ensure that Scotland's rich heritage can be adequately protected and cared for in the 21st century".

The reports covered three major issues: whether there is a need for review of the law relating to heritage protection; the role of local authorities in conserving the historic environment; and the criteria that should be used to assess whether a property should be taken into state care.

One key recommendation was that the fundamental shortcomings of current legislation can only be addressed through the introduction of new historic environment legislation. The report says that this is needed not only to protect the historic environment better, but also to enable this key asset to contribute to the government's wider objectives, such as the promotion of social and economic regeneration.

However, the Minister has ruled out any major review of the legislation to protect Scotland's heritage, preferring to invest in improving the workings of the current system. Liz Burns said: "This response is disappointing. It differs from the situation in England where reform is underway, with the current system due to be replaced by a new Heritage Protection Act. Nonetheless, we welcome the Minister's intention to consider ongoing legislative changes as opportunities arise and hope that there will be a vigorous and proactive approach to taking this forward in the months ahead. There was strong support from the sector for HEACS view that the status quo is no longer an option, so a process which leads to change is necessary".

Mrs Burns said that Council is pleased that some of its recommendations have been accepted, with several already implemented. "For example, the criteria we recommended should be used to assess whether a property should be taken into state care have been accepted and are now being built into Historic Scotland's policy for the acquisition of properties."

"We especially welcome the positive response to many of our recommendations on the role of the local authorities, including the decision to carry out a survey of local authority policies and resources for the historic environment, and the re-establishment of the Local Authorities Historic Environment Forum. The Minister's response shows that central government places a high value on the role of local authorities in conserving the historic environment."

Another key recommendation was that there should be a statutory duty of care for the historic environment for local authorities and other public agencies. Liz Burns said: "This has also not been accepted, but we welcome the Minister's commitment to Action Plans to help secure a high and uniform standard of care for the historic environment in all local authority areas."

The full text of the Minister's responses, and the HEACS reports, can be read at: http://www.heacs.org.uk.

HEACS is the advisory Non-Departmental Public Body which provides Scottish Ministers with independent strategic advice on issues affecting the historic environment. HEACS was established in 2003 under the Public Appointments & Public Bodies etc (Scotland) Act 2003.

HEACS is chaired by Mrs Elizabeth Burns CMG OBE and comprises 12 members drawn from a wide range of relevant professions and backgrounds.

In its first term (2003-2006) Council was asked by the Minister to address the following issues:

Whether there is a need to review heritage protection legislation in Scotland;
The role of local authorities in conserving the historic environment;
The criteria that should be used to assess whether a property should be takn into state care; and
The availability of adequate and appropriate traditional materials and professional and craft skills to meet the needs of the built heritage.
HEACS submitted the four reports to Patricia Ferguson, the (then) Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, in the summer of 2006. In December 2006 the Minister provided an initial response which welcomed the four reports.

The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, Linda Fabiani, provided a final response to three of the four reports in December 2007. These can be read in full on HEACS' website: http://www.heacs.org.uk. A final response to the skills and materials report is still awaited.

For further information, contact HEACS Secretariat, Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH; email olwyn.owen@scotland.gsi.gov.uk; telephone 0131-668-8810.



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

Maggie from Past Horizons - pulled this story ..

see http://pasthorizons.wordpress.com/2008/0...toric-art/

Spectacular prehistoric depictions of animal and human figures created up to 6,000 years ago on Western Saharan rocks have been vandalised by United Nations peacekeepers.

Archaeological sites boasting ancient paintings and engravings of giraffes, buffalo and elephants have been defaced within the past two years by personnel attached to the UN mission, known by its French acronym, Minurso.

Graffiti, some of it more than a metre high and sprayed with paint meant for use for marking routes, now blights the rock art at Lajuad, an isolated site known as Devil Mountain, which is regarded by the local Sahrawi population as a mystical place of great cultural significance........

This does bring to a wider discussion about what is and is not acceptable in archaeology/heritage...

when does grafitti become vandalism and when is it social comment?

This will be one of the first articles in a new magazine... (coming at the end of Feb!)

grafitti? thoughts???



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

I've come across a fairly random reference to a discovery of burials, possibly in cists, although it is quite vague, beneath what appear to be quite neatly dressed sandstone slabs. There were three slabs over at least one of the burials, each about 1 1/2 feet square, and each with four holes, one in each corner. A couple of stray skulls were also found nearby. The discovery is within the precinct of a medieval abbey, but not near the location of other known burials, and the 'cists' were possibly orientated north/south.

Does this sound even vaguely familiar to anyone? Just curious to know what date they might be.

Helping Hands Needed at North Dakota’s Hutmacher Farmstead

Heritage Conservation Network and Preservation North Dakota are looking for volunteers to help restore the Hutmacher Farmstead in Killdeer, North Dakota this May. The groups have organized a hands-on building conservation workshop at the site in order to make significant headway on the project. Volunteers will spend their days repairing the main house of the pioneer complex, which is one of the last (and possibly the best) examples of stone-slab construction in this legendary state. They’ll spend their nights listening to cowboy poetry and gazing at the stars.

A team of eight or more volunteers joining is critical to the success of the project. The buildings at the Hutmacher Farmstead were highly labor intensive to construct and to maintain; their preservation takes an equal amount of effort. The week’s primary task will be rebuilding the roof of the main house, which involves timber framing and grass thatch covered with a clay mixture. Volunteers will also be doing stone masonry work to stabilize the walls, which will then be tuck-pointed with clay mortar. No experience working with historic buildings is necessary, just an interest in the project and a willingness to learn and experience new things.

Volunteers will stay in a rustic cabin at the Naard Creek Ranch, located 20 miles northwest of Killdeer and 25 minutes from the work site. They also have the option to camp. The fee for the workshop, which is $340 or $490 depending on your lodging option, covers lunch at the site, project materials, and insurance. The dates are May 25-31, 2008. Complete details and registration information are available from HCN’s website http://www.heritageconservation.net/ws-h...r-2008.htm or by contacting Judith Broeker, HCN project director, at +1 303 444 0128.

The goal of the project is to ensure the site’s future preservation by utilizing it as an experiential vacation location. For now, this workshop, a.k.a. volunteer vacation, is sure to be unlike anything else you’ve ever done.


--

Ms. Jamie Donahoe
Heritage Conservation Network
International Hands-on Workshops for Architectural and Site Conservation
1557 North Street * Boulder, Colorado 80304 * USA
+1 303 444 0128
http://www.heritageconservation.net



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

Hello fellow diggers,

my name is Dave Bower, or as most people know me Dirty Dave from Lincoln. This is just a quick introduction to whoever wants to reply;either folks who know me or not. Ive been a digger for over twenty years now and only recently become computer literate,and welcome replies from fellow diggers old and new.
Dirty Dave

Hello all,
something in the back of my head is telling me that there were still a few SFBs knocking around until around the 12th century, but I can't remember where I got that idea from. The latest I can pin down are from 11th century Northampton.
Can anyone give me examples (and references to chase) for late SFBs in East Anglia?
Thanks in advance.
TW

Have noted that Get a Trowel is down... does anyone know whats up?



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