the whole issue of grave goods and sex and gender in Anglo-Saxon cemeteries spring to mind, wonder if the sword=male, jewellery=female thing is a British idea? Tis rubbish, whoever thought of it. Have visions of archs in 1000 years time categorising tie pin and cufflinks=professional...

++ i spend my days rummaging around in dead people ++

This new Century could be seen as the age of nano-antiquarianism.Some of the questionable practises of the fathers of archaeology are still happening today in British archaeology and elsewhere.Commercial archaeology can be seen as hack and slash but is ok because ppg 16 protects the archaeology.Runaway commercialism is disguising the behaviour and hideous scale of the devastation wreaked upon the nations heritage by nano-antiquarians.Discuss.

Greetings!Don`t quite know where to start.I will get back to you on these questions-promise.Must run off for a fag firstDon`t go away-damn fine questions...........

Yes it?s the old adage from the bloke in the pub on finding out you?re an archaeologist

?Whats the best thing you`ve ever found?

And indeed that is my question and we are talking treasure here! Not sites, Flint or anything Billy Blond would not understand but proper TREASURE!

Go on let go and boast about your finest bits of treasure, hey we are all (well almost) anon here so go hog wild!

I've seen pictures of sites here that sound like those described above. It makes me wonder why DCMS doesn't press for stronger, and above all more public, prosecution of people who do this. It would help if a: there was an archaeologist in DCMS and B: that there was a coherant legislative framework for punishing those who destory our nations heritage. As the article says "They are ruining the history not just of a nation but of human civilisation. They think filling their stomachs is more important than the blood of their ancestors."

Hi,
Does anyone know of any Anglo-Saxon archaeological digs/sites, anywhere in the country, with the possiblity of voluenteering?
Thank you.

I will get you all the full reply as soon as I have wrested it from my mother er... er... I mean administrator bless er!

Basically though they have listened and replied...

The new trowel was based on research in the construction industry... however they will now look to creating an 'archaeology' trowel as they do not want to lose the close association -

As soon as the new design is available.. with thicker blade! they have agreed to a trowel off ! Now thats news to warm the cockles.!

Thanks to those that contributed to help me write to them.


Another day another WSI?

I remember some time ago reading a thread that outlined the functions of one arm of the heritage industry. I found this to be hugely illuminating and inadvertantly forced me to confront some long-held misconceptions on my part. As I see this as a healthy thing, I think it`s high time that we formalised what we think a field archaeologist should be capable of.Just what do they do? What skills are needed? How would you write a spec on being a site assistant? I use the term "site assistant" in the purest sense-a field archaeologist with either 6months or 20 years experience.How would you characterise the differences between the skills needed by an experienced arch and those of a relative newcomer to the field?So here we go....Just what does a qualified archaeological site assistant offer for their huge (obviously) rewards?

Greetings RedEarth! Do I hear war drums bein beaten perchance? I suppose to answer the question-I don`t know why we argue amongst ourselves.It could be that after years of the "same old" and endless appeals for change,the people at the sharp-end become powerless and turn on eachother.Of course there are plenty of individuals in the job who really should have their IFA accreditation re-assessed. In recent times and on another thread here, Mr David Hinton made it clear that the responsibility (his view) lies with you to inform the IFA of your issues. One of the more cheery bits of the last few years is that we`re starting to communicate in better ways now.BAJR for just one example, has regular subscribers from all arms of the heritage profession/industry (take yer pick) and the forum makes for a good read all round.We found that we did`nt actually know much about eachothers jobs either. Scary. I suppose what I`m trying to say is this- welcome to BAJR, think you`ll like it here.Lots of people from all walks and really informative too.Do a nice cuppa char too if you ask nicely.Don`t forget-the Digger publishes donated work. I`m surprised at how little space is dedicated to whingin per se.The Digger manage to publish an informative and sharp newsletter whilst also allowing contributors to vent! For someone to write to a newsletter and critiscise a colleague-the implication surely is that "all is not well". It is all too easy to see discontent simply as "whinging". I see it as just another symptom of the general malaise.Unfortunately, on occasion, issues become individualised and it`s this that has the historical habit of stalling movements.You`re right-nuff bitchin.

Greetings and salutations to all. Just noticed a snippet on one of Mr Hostys posts.Apparently, the Digger needs dosh.This has been one of the most lively publications ever and, has a very,very long reach.I think we all owe the Digger aplenty. I for one have failed to send in a contribution for their efforts-am sending 20 squid when paid next week.Anyone else? Whip-round during tea breaks? Surely we should be doing this as a minimum.As a well established (deeply entrenched!!) voice for archaeology/ists-should`nt we be looking towards formalising the Digger by paying subscriptions?[?]