I attempted to update my fieldwork section of my cv, but it also changed my "other skill" section to the same level, experience and wording. I have more experience in one than the other and had different things written in the relative sections. Now it looks as if I have loads of experience in my second skill, which I don't! It didn't used to do that, is it a glitch???

Lucy

Just caught on the news that some dedicated sorts were injured when a tornado hit their site hut in Lincolnshire.

Early reports, but I hope that they all recover quickly. Sounds like an experience and a half!

Having recently moved to Munich in Southern Germany, I was wondering if anybody has any useful info on finding archaeological work out here. Such as archaeological contractors in Bavaria or where jobs tend to be advertised over here. Is there a German equivalent to BAJR? Any help would be much apprechiated.

Is it just me or is the ifa complaints proceedure stacked against diggers raising concerns/making a complaint?

Obviously no specifics but how do people feel about the fact that the ifa will not offer anominity to anyone making a complaint against a unit?

Archaeology is a rather close knit community and the fallout from taking this course of action can be grave, particularly in areas with one main unit. But yet nothing is in place to allow us to pursue a complaint with the piece of mind that our job and in some sences livelyhoods are protected.

How do people feel about this? Should there be an anonamous complaints proceedure in order to improve standards and encourage the making of complaints without fear of repocusions?

Not including the bajr hotline (which has been v.helpfull) does the industry not have an obligation to take standards seriously and open an outlet for us bottom of the ladder lackies and not a closed old boys network for unit directors?

While I was keeping you all busy with the Share thread.. I thought... hey... I should share more...

How many times have you been outside away from computers and Phonebooks... and wondered what the number is for xxx contractors? whats the number of the County Mountie? Or have you just found a hoard and need to get in touch with the FLO right away.. fear not... BAJR has just put all the Contractors and County Archaeologists on a mobile site (if you have a WAP enabled phone) you can search with just a few letters... so that LAND will find headLAND and LANDward and aoc scotLAND etc... up pops the phone number

The same is true for the PAS contacts, listed by areas they cover...

add to that all the latest employment opportunities on BAJR - the weather in your area and a direct link to the HOTLINE...

Thought I better do what I was preaching !!!

you can access it on http://www.bajr.org/mobile from your mobile phone only.

enjoy! Comments welcome

David


Another day another WSI?

Someone just asked this question over at my forums:

"I am trying to organise a surprise birthday present for my boyfriend. He really needs something to keep all his equipment together when on digs. Could you please let me know what you find is the best way to do this? Is it more preferable to have a 'tool box' as it were or a belt, and is a waist belt ok or is one with shoulder straps better? Any insight into this will be very gratefully appreciated!"

http://www.online-archaeology.co.uk/foru...IC_ID=1795

Can anyone help out pls?

Thanks.
Steve
http://www.online-archaeology.co.uk

Here is a small but deadly question... IF online data from SMRs / HERs and
NMRs is supposed to be publicly accessible then why not make the data
available as feeds or data dumps to other websites... where surely the
concept is to distribute the data, rather than try to protect data which is
supposed to belong to everyone anyway?

)

So... for example... why could I not present an RSS feed of all roman sites
viewed on my site via a map based technology (ie Google Map)

I have also put this on Britarch to see what the view is.


Another day another WSI?

Is it just me or are there a lot of non BAJR type messages on BAJR today purporting to come from BAJR Host? Something about Gold and Home loans?

I tried to message earlier but got some strange feedback and no access to BAJR forum.

..Or is it just my machine?

Well, the new arcaheologists WHS trowel has arrived - many seem to love it, many think the original is still the best (http://www.getatrowel.co.uk/shop_whs.html).

Now, the Italian's think they have a better animal than either the new WHS or the Marshalltown - the Battiferro archaeology pointing trowel - http://www.getatrowel.co.uk/shop_battiferro.html.

In field tests, the Battiferro proved very popular with UK archaelogists compared with the "old new" WHS (the one before the current model) - here are some quotes:

"Appears stronger and stiffer than WHS for excavating purposes"

"The somewhat blunter handle end....is easier on the palm of the hand when engaged in forcing the trowel"

"The Battiferro Di Maniago trowel seems to be a good combination of both (WHS & M'town) and I could quite happily revert to using one trowel."

I believe the authors of this research started a thread on here (could you get in touch please?)

So after a few months wrangling, we finally have them in stock. So which is the best - WHS | Marshalltown | Battiferro - YOU DECIDE!

Ian

http://www.getatrowel.co.uk - trowels for archaeological excavators

The following letter is being sent today:


Rt Hon. Tessa Jowell MP
Department of Culture Media and Sport
2 – 4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH

Re: Protection of cultural assets in Lebanon

Dear Ms Jowell,

I am writing to you to draw attention to the threat posed by Israeli military action in Lebanon to the cultural heritage of that country. While attention is quite rightly focussed on the appalling human cost of the Israeli assault there are also issues to be considered in relation to archaeological sites and monuments in Lebanon. Both Baalbek and Tyre, the targets of recent Israeli attacks, have been recognised by the United Nations as of international cultural significance through the award of World Heritage Site status, as has one of the two castles in Sidon. In the case of both Baalbek and Tyre, the area designated is much larger than the existing towns and encompasses far more than the standing buildings. Any military action in the vicinity of these towns will inevitably have a destructive impact on archaeological and cultural assets. Beyond the areas recognised as of World Heritage status, Lebanon has a rich architectural and archaeological heritage resulting from its important geographical position in the eastern Mediterranean.

The Israeli government has demonstrated its cavalier disregard for the importance of this heritage many times in the past with sites in Lebanon (notably Beaufort Castle) being destroyed or damaged through military action and deliberate demolition. The profound Israeli understanding of the political importance of destroying cultural monuments and other assets has been abundantly demonstrated by their actions in Gaza and the West Bank (as documented by Robert Bevan in his recent book The destruction of memory; architecture at war). We believe that this is an additional reason for the British Government to demand an immediate cease-fire by all parties in Lebanon and for the protection of cultural assets to be included as part of the remit of any United Nations or other force committed to the region to ensure compliance with the terms of such a cease-fire.

Britain has an important role to play in the establishment of peace in the Middle East and given our long term and continuing involvement in archaeological research in the region, it is entirely appropriate that we should draw attention to this aspect of the ongoing conflict and its place in any potential resolution of that conflict. We look to you to issue a clear statement on this matter and to ensure that it is raised in discussions within the British government and between governments internationally, most appropriately perhaps in the context of the 1954 Geneva Convention on the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict.

Yours sincerely


Roy Friendship-Taylor M. Phil., MAAIS., AIFA
Chairman
RESCUE – The British Archaeological Trust
roy@friendship-taylor.freeserve.co.uk

Chris Cumberpatch BA PhD
Secretary
RESCUE – The British Archaeological Trust
cgc@ccumberpatch.freeserve.co.uk




If you would like to support the rights and preservation of our non-renewable archaeological heritage, please join RESCUE, the British Archaeological Trust, today.

http://www.rescue-archaeology.freeserve.co.uk/