I'd like to congratulate our host on his stance in a current discussion on Britarch regarding a ridiculously low paid job ad on that discussion board. It's worth a look at http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadm...L=britarch

I completely agree with his stance. Archaeological wages are changing, in no small part because of the lever that BAJR has applied to them over advertising.
I think change in the industry can only come about by using these hard nosed techniques. (Not quite direct action)

I think the museum industry can be changed in the same way even though the funding is from a different place. Incidentally, the answer to David's criticism sounds exactly like every boss's explanation why they can't pay more. In short it is b******s, and defenders of low pay are colluding in exploitation of the staff.

Well done David

The link to search CVs from the metal detector forum is not working.

Peter

Tonight - Sunday 21st May, the New BAJR is launched, I would appreciate any comments and help in finding duff links, problem pages etc... I have been working like a dog for the past 2 months... but can get lost in the site...

I am also sending out letters to every Contractor, Curator, University in the UK... so you should be able to find Wee BAJR books (i ahve created over 6000 of them)everywhere... spread the word...!

BAJR has become so much more than just a job site... it belongs to us all now.

Cheers for sticking with me... and cheers for making BAJR the site it has become, with muscle to change things and a brain to do it with a sensible approach, respected by many and hated by a few, BAJR has survived 6 years of struggle... now all I need todo it work out how to make it pay enough that I can work full time on it.

I could not have done it without you.!

Wake up tommorrow and gasp in awe... or laugh! try the new games as well! in the resource section. If its not in BAJR, I want to know why!

Another day another WSI?

Picked this up from another discussion elsewhere. This was published in the letters page in one of Irelands leading National Newspapers in response to an article on archaeology as a career.

Quite damning really and one wonders why no one over here has ever written to the papers regarding similar archaeological issues that we encounter.

Interestingly, I am not aware of any replies to the newspaper to date nor have there been any follow posts in response to this posting.


This letter was published in a recent monday's Irish Independent


Archaeology a terrible job

Monday May 8th 2006


Regarding 'Dig This' by Caroline Allen (Irish Independent, April 20) as an archaeologist working in commercial archaeology, I feel qualified to criticise the content of the piece.

Ms Allen reports that archaeology is a lucrative and rewarding career
choice but does not reflect the realities.

The majority of workers in archaeology today have degrees, or some kind of qualification in the subject.

As there are very few opportunities to gain any experience in museums,
never mind finding paid employment in one, archaeology graduates go to
work for the commercial companies.

The option of doing a specialist masters in archaeology is almost
impossible in Ireland. Most universities in Ireland offer a basic
landscape archaeology course or a M. litt, practically useless if one
wants to work in the field or do scientific based studies.

This leaves the Irish archaeology graduate with no choice but to go
abroad to get a postgraduate qualification.

The UK offers hundreds of specialist courses and this is where many of
us end up. Your article tells us that the future of archaeology is in
research but fails to mention that you will need an extra qualification if you wish to move beyond the position of lackey in your career. This further study will cost anything up to £12,000stg per year for a masters course. Most graduates cannot afford this and so end up with the commercial companies.

What one can expect from a commercial company is a complete lack of
respect. Archaeologists are the lowest paid professionals in Ireland:
fact. We have no trade union protection and anyone trying to organise
people into a union will get their P45 in their next pay packet.

Our wages only go up if the minimum wage increases.

Wages do not go up with inflation. Most companies offer no contracts to their workers and when they do they are not worth the paper they are written on. An archaeologist can be sacked with no notice and if one tried to appeal this one would find that no other company will take them on. Archaeologists can more often than not find themselves working on a site where no sanitary facilities are provided, there is no cabin to eat lunch in and there is no where to shelter from the rain. These are conditions that are supposed to be accepted by us without question.

The article also gives the impression that as an archaeologist one can
preserve and help to preserve history. Sadly, as I found out myself,
archaeology in Ireland is not all Indiana Jones-style exploits but is in
fact a harsh business. Archaeology is secondary to money-making for
these companies and oftentimes the archaeology is not recorded properly. More information is being destroyed than is being recorded for good.

Archaeology is not for the idealist or history-lover and it is certainly not for anyone who wishes to reach pensionable age with savings in the bank, or anyone who thinks they are going to escape without arthritis or a back-injury.
CORRESPONDENT'S NAME
AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED


Discuss -

If your'e not up to very much at the moment Host, a couple of queries on the job advert front.

Can't possibly think how this one missed my attention but
have just noticed a job advert for Gahan and Long on the BAJR employment page that seems to offer less than the BAJR minimum wage. Is this because its a pre April ad? (In which case apologies for pointing out the obvious).

Meanwhile the really well paid UCL Senior Archaeologist job advertised last week seems to have acquired a £25 a week pay cut in the space of 7 days. Is that an official correction or a misprint? (Just as Outwage was about to praise UCL for well above inflation payrises as well!!)

It with interest I note that the two most popular topics on BAJR appear to be Muppets, closely followed by Metal Detecting!

I wonder what an analyst would make of this...

http://www.detector-distribution.co.uk

For all your detecting needs.

Got a work related technical question Im doing a study of a building undergoing conservation. There has been talk that some of the floor joists maybe old ship timbers is there a quick and easy way to indetify one from the other and is there a site out there that would help me. Otherwise its a Maritime archaeologist type, which is probably going to be the case anyway as I wouldnt like to give an opinion on something that was out of my area of expertise (call me old fashioned). But in the main I would be interested to know.

Cheers

Close enough for a country job!

Although the new WHS trowel is going to be in stock very soon (like 2 weeks?, we have had so many people asking for the Marshalltown trowel, that we have got a few in. http://getatrowel.co.uk/shop_mtown.html

The WHS will remain our flagship and we support the British made tool above any, but we hope to expand to supply archaeologists with a full range and choice of trowels and tools, beginning with WHS, Marshalltown, Battifero and leaf/trowel & squares coming soon.

Also, click on the product images and see what happens - it is quite funky(:

Ian

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

Saw this on Britarch... though people might want to comment?

"I am currently undertaking PhD research into the impact and effectiveness of the Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums.

If anybody has any comments (positive or negative) relating to the Guidance, the Report of the Working Group on Human Remains, the Care of Historic Human Remains consultation, the attitudes of English museums and other institutions towards human remains or any related issues
please feel free to contact me on elizabeth.bell@ncl.ac.uk.
Any input
would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks
Liz

Liz Bell
Research Postgraduate
International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies
Bruce Building
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU
UK

Another day another WSI?

Ive been working with a guy (consultant) this week who is MIFA`ed. The lack of knowledge and experience was something to behold. How do people without the obvious ability to do the job end up being MIFA. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Close enough for a country job!