As my interest in archaeology is no longer `professional' in the sense of paid employment, I was thinking about forming a suitable Special Interest Group to look at the issues that affect leisure-time archaeologists, in a constructive and level headed manner.

Under the terms of the IFA by-laws I cannot apply to the Council to form such a group until certain criteria have been met, I need the names of at least 15 members (of whatever class) to express an interest and five of these must also provide addresses and be willing to act as a provisional organising committee, and three corporate members to act as Honorary Chair, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer.

As a soon to be born again corporate member (PIFA) and the fool who came up with the idea, I am putting myself forward as candidate for acting Honorary Chair in the first instance.

Anyone else care to put his or her names into the frame?

Paid archaeologists are equally welcome to become involved 8-)

Regards,

Jeff Morris


Just 7 more people are needed to sign up, to achieve the first requirement in forming the Avocational Archaeology SIG within the IFA.

If you care about archaeology then please join us, be one of the original 15 and maybe one day you can say I was one of the pioneers, I helped things to change for the better.

I realise that some people out there may not be in the IFA but if you care about the issues we are raising then please email me at

IFASIG@jeffmorris.org.uk

All posts have so far mentioned the need for IFA membership, but what I
think we have thus far failed to clarify is that the IFA rules for the
formation of groups is that you are allowed to be a member of WHATEVER
class. Only the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer have to be corporate
members.

The IFA has two grades of non-corporate membership Student and Affiliate, for further details visit the IFA website at http://www.archaeologists.net

If like me you have an active avocational interest in archaeology, then this is the way for us to have a voice within the IFA.

to show your support.

AND yes.... BAJR has joined...!


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

Is archaeology now full of so called know it all's? I was talking to a very old archaeologist and it seem that only a few of us younger people do care about the archaeology and put forward our own thoughts, only to be cast aside by some ignorant high flyer degree person. Earlier last year I said that a layout of a site from the air looks like farming practise only to be inform that it was this person project and he will decide what it is. What? After all it is only my personal thoughts and view.

The old time archaeologist the men and ladies I look up to are starting to retire and we loose so much knowledge from these people. Now we are left with the Time Team know it all the pen pushers in life. Fact that our subject is no longer a vocation, attracting people who are insatiably curious and determined to discover about archaeology and put forward new ideas and thoughts.Instead, it has attracted a mass of prats with careers to advance, very few principles, fewer original ideas, but ruthless determination to scramble to the top of the pile, whatever the cost. The older generation like Hoskins and Beresford who gave so much heart felt passion to archaeology has this all now gone?

Archaeology can only be damage by know alls and wannabe's. That is my view

Give us a break.

On another thread people have said a number of things about the moderation.

All I did was edited the names of the firms concerned pending Davids consideration of something that in my view was questionable.I emailed David bringing it to his attention. David posted something an hour later say the discussion could continue.

This was on a Saturday night when all good archaeologists should be tucked up in a cosy pub and I was in a hurry to get to the pub and David had family matters to deal with.

Please remember I am a volunteer and that there is a fine line between can and cannot be said.

Peter

My brother sent me this, in revenge for a string of drummer jokes (which I can post too, if there's demand)

A team of archaeologists is excavating in Israel when they find a cave with the symbols of a woman, a donkey, a shovel, a fish, and a Star of David on the wall.
The head archaeologist points to the first drawing. “This indicates that these people were family oriented and held women in high esteem.” he says. “The donkey shows they were smart enough to use animals to till the soil. The shovel means they were able to forge tools. Even further proof of high intelligence is the fish: If famine hit the earth, they would take to the sea for food. The last symbol is the Star of David, telling us they were Hebrews.”

The second archaeologist shakes his head. “Hebrew is read from right to left,” he explains. “It says, ‘Holy Mackerel, Dig the Ass on that Chick!’”




You can always tell a Brummie... but you can't tell him much

Edited by Peter Wardle until Davids views the original and decides if it can be posted. See Comment below.


I have heard on the archaeological grapevine that there is an undisclosed agreement between two RAOs working on the south Wales pipeline. Cambrian Archaeological Projects and Cotswold Archaeology have agreed a policy of not poaching staff off each other - if you work for or have recently been employed by one of these companies the other will not employ you. They do not however publicise this!

This would not be such a serious issue if both companies had the same level of jobs grades on offer or if the wages were the same - but they are not. Staff who started with Cotswold Archaeology before the Cambrian Archaeological Projects job was advertised are therefore being discriminated against.

And I hope that this serve as a warning for others looking for work - be carefull which company you choose as in some cases it may be worth holding out! :face-huh:

Ok, feeling a little cheeky asking here (}) ... Host, please delete if not within AUP.
I have a lovely research training question (postgrad faculty training woohoo) to discuss and gather opinions on:

what are the canons and genres in archaeology? (rather a big question i thought, especially to answer in 300 words..)
anyone?

hello all,
can anyone think of instances where heritage management has contributed to the welfare of small, traditional cultures such as those supported by this excellent charity:
http://www.survival-international.org/

It was put to me recently that history/archaeology/heritage was much better at preserving things than people, for example world heritage site status is sometimes a mixed blessing for those living nearby.

Any thoughts?

Tom

'In the busy market there are fortunes to be won and lost, but in the cherry orchard there is peace'.
Chinese proverb

Hello all,
does anyone know where I can get some cheap or free map tiles for the Greater London area? All I need is the hydrology, topography and (preferably) geology, and it doesn't have to be particularly accurate, as my data is only recorded to ten figure grid references. I certainly don't need street layouts. I will need copyright permission for (non-commercial) publication though.

It doesn't seem too much to ask.

Cheers,

Tom

'In the busy market there are fortunes to be won and lost, but in the cherry orchard there is peace'.
Chinese proverb

<<EDIT Just remember that the AUP states you will check with me first.. to see if I would mind posts like that...which name names...

The advert appeared because it past (just) the minimum requirements EDIT >>

you have my email - info@bajr.org

Please people remember that I don't often mind if I am asked first...

Just spotted this one on the web.
An archaeological unit that fails to take care of its own historic environment...
http://icperthshire.icnetwork.co.uk/pert...iser/news/
tm_headline%3Dminister--92--fights-to-save-st-paul--x2019-s-
kirk&method%3Dfull&objectid%3D18486411&siteid%3D88886-name_page.html