Technology moves on I guess. I note more and more people are using laser surveying to carryout English heritage level 3`s and standing building surveys.

What are peoples thoughts on this. Is it an effective method or is it not as vaulable as an archaeologist with a pencil.

Obviously the laser image would then be interpreted by an archaeologist and be far more detailed and have a greater ease of manipulation.

I vote for laser having seen the amazing results they give.

Its natural progression... charcoal, pencil, propelling pencil, single shot laser, multi-shot laser..... next 3d holographic image by your desk.



Close enough for a country job!

I do enjoy a good show... and Grand Designs tried and tested format appeals to me, but last night (28th Feb)I watched a programme about the rebuilding of a 14th century Castle in Yorkshire only to watch much sneering about archaeology...

Imagine that.. if you take on a Scheduled Ancient Monument.. you have to do archaeology... imagine that... you have to pay people to do it. I feel the programme made it seem that somehow archaeology was a waste of time, a vast expense (or half a set of stairs!) and a block on development. Far from it...

If you have an archaeology issue... deal with it at the start.. then it is not a problem.. be pleased that highly trained professionals are able to add to the real value of the site, by giving it a history...

You can't on one hand decry archaeology because it was so expensive and was a pain and possibly the whole reason why the development nearly failed.. and then go... ooooooooohh aaaaaaahhh look at the wonderful old building which we now understand thanks to archaeology...


English Heritage will not be able to respond.. but I can make serious guesses that for the work that took place on that building.. there was a lot more help than you saw. there was a lot more to it.

The two points that were valid..

1 We have to reassess how we manage our Built Heritage.. I thought the roof terrace was great and has at last stopped the pickled in aspic attitude... Buildings evolve!
2. The couple were brave and determined.. and I think they deserve the house they created.. the castle deserved the attention.. and the need for more skilled craftsmen like the masons is needed.

English Heritage were breaking new ground here.. so good on them... and please please Kevin ... archaeology is not a bar on development but a necessary part of the whole process if you are dealing with such a fragile and unique resource. Statements like those made in the programme are just the sort to play into the hands of those who would rather sweep our heritage away and replace it with cheap housing.. without any need to preserve or understand our past..


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

Have you taken part in an excavation that you consider 'great'?

Perhaps the archaeology was the best you've ever worked on.
Maybe you worked for an inspirational site director or supervisor?
Were you introduced to a new and innovative technique that changed the way you work?

Was the atmosphere amongst the team the best you've ever known?
Did you simply just have the best parties?!

Or, conversely, was it remarkable because it was actually truly awful?

I am currently preparing a paper for John Schofield's "Great Excavations" session at the IFA conference in April, and I'd love to hear people's stories and thoughts on what makes an excavation 'great' from the perspective of those on the ground.

Feel free to respond to me off-list if you'd rather keep your
reminiscenses private!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes, Paul Everill

paul@INVISIBLEDIGGERS.NET




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

On a lighter note given recent events, I would recommend all those in need of a good laugh to get hold of Mitchell and Webbs DVD of their first series ("Situation" if memory serves) and keep a good eye out for their parody brainstorming meeting about starting a time team type programme. Laugh? - oh yes. Any other decent humourous stuff out there?

Also: Mr Host really does say those things about a quarry being on a site reducing evaluation exposure



I maiali sono alimentati e aspettano per volare

If you were a contract archaeologist permanently working in one specific county, would you be more inclined to become involved with local archaeological socieities?

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

Have just got home after workingaway for a bit and have discovered lots of new bumf about movement on wages from the diggers forum!

Come on Mr Hosty - whats a happening now?

http://www.new7wonders.com/index.php

Heres you chance to have fun... gawd knows we need it!!


Let us know what you choose...

For me

Petra
Angkor
Alhambra
Great Wall
Chichen Itza
Pyramids of Giza
Timbuktu

:face-huh:

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

http://www.pasthorizons.com/WorldProject...asp?ID=341

BAJRs sister site has a cracking opportunity for a Field assistant in field research.

Subsidized position offers experience in pedestrian field survey, including GPS, and in site excavation.

Proposed Schedule and Pay:
• 40 hrs/week with possible extended hours.
• Stipend: $4000
• Meals not provided. Housing may be available, contact for details.
• Anticipated duration: approximately March 15-June 30.

Hurry Hurry. [8D]

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

Hello

One of my lovely districts has asked me to contribute to an SPD on Sustainability. Specifically they would like me to write about sustainable archaeology the archaeology is pretty well all in the urban areas of the district. I am thinking along the lines of reusing existing piles/foundations or drilling new piles through existing areas of damage; basing design on existing ground impacts - no great expansion of impacts. Essentially taking these points as first principles and then involving archaeologists early in the design phase to explore preservation and reuse of buildings on site as early as possible in the design stages. Of course I only have a few days in which to think about this so if anyone has any ideas it would be greatly appreciated. If anyone knows of any existing policy material on sustainable archaeology I would appreciate that even more.

Thanks

HB.

As some of you know, we are in the process of researching crotal bells for a reference article on our UKDFD website.
http://www.ukdfd.co.uk

One of many questions that has arisen from our efforts to date is just how old is the fundamental concept of a crotal bell? By this, I mean when were the first bells with a loose, but contained, pea 'clapper' made.

Most of the material we've consulted implies that they date back to ancient (Biblical) times, but we have struggled to find any hard evidence of them prior to the 13th century.

Does anyone know of any earlier examples that have been published from a secure archaeological context or other reliable source?

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk
Recording OUR heritage for future generations.