went out to a site t'other day in my specialist capacity and was very pleased to see everyone involved in a discussion as to the reasoning behind certain features. Good communication going on and everyone allowed to use their knowledge and experience. Know from experience that this has been the way previous sites run by my current employers have worked, but have never really thought about it before. It was wet, cold, horrible, but I certainly felt that people weren't just expected to be there to shovel sh*t. Have a feeling that this is rare and maybe my view was coloured by the fact that I am now seen as a "grownup" by those in charge...

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

I would say that it is a personal decision, but I would strongly encourage any individual archaeologist to join. If, as in your case, you have strong views about what the IFA should do and how, then I would also strongly urge you to be active and campaign from within.

The IFA elects its council and office bearers, so you could put yourself forward for election next time it comes around, probably with a fairly strong support base. Not sure that you could actively campaign for election through BAJR though - that would probably disqualify you.

1man1desk

to let, fully furnished

I just picked up a job offer from Ireland and am told that I require a safe pass. Would I be able to get one of these here in England?? Anyone who has worked in the Emerald Isle and has any information on these, I would welcome your input. Thanks guys.

Penfold

Agree. How about you post your letter here so we are all using the same info/tone/questions/threats

(I really have worked in the field)

was also privy to a rather successful open day during last summer (think you know which one troll) that was attended by hundreds of people. It was great for the attendees, not so great for the organisors who were expected to set it all up and run it for very long hours for no extra pay. We did it because we knew that those who attended would love it, and they did, but we should not have been expected to do it for nothing. Get them written into budgets, get people in, get them interested and show those who have to do it that its appreciated by paying them for it!

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

Dear BAJR Host
What about a paper on ethnic minority in British Archaeology for our conference, I find this is a very nice topic (being an ethnic minority my self), it a very now issue and it will help us to get some badly needed funds for our cause of starting a union. I know many archaeologists from ethnic minority who will love to have their say.
Another thing, what does every one think about holding the conference in London? The BM for example?
Please tell me to stop writing if I?m irritating you all. I have nothing to do but think of the question of Life the Universe and every thing?


Spare a job Please

Hi all,
What do you say about the article below I found it in Current Archaeology,
http://www.archaeology.co.uk/directory/career.asp?cat=1

Age 22 - the circuit
OK, you are 22. You have your degree, but you don't know what to do. You can always go on 'the circuit', that is going round from site to site, digging, and camping or staying in digs. It is great fun for a couple of years, but do not stay in it for too long.
If say by the age of 25 you have not made it - you are not yet a site supervisor and almost ready to become a project manager - you should consider getting out, getting a qualification, become a lawyer or an accountant or a computer expert. The job may be boring but the pay will be good - and that is a not unimportant consideration in life.
And the experience you have gained will mean that you will be very welcome as a weekend digger with your local society. Is it not perhaps better to be do a boring but well-paid job five days a week - and enjoy your archaeology at the weekends?
Age 28: am I too late?
You are not an archaeologist. You are stuck in a dull, boring job. You dream of getting out to enjoy yourself and become an archaeologist. Please, think twice!
Archaeology is very competitive, and by now you will need a lot of luck to make a decent living in archaeology.
Still, if you are really determined, you could look up the CHuNTO website and see if you can get a diploma in cultural heritage studies. Many archaeologists are suspicious of such diplomas, but the government has high hopes of them.
I?m 38 shall I jump off a bridge?


Spare a job Please

We have talked alot about problems of and with contractors, employers and curators, but little about problems with clients. I guess employees don't get to hear much about that side of things.

We used to do alot of work for a certain National organisation, but last year decided that we would not work for them any more at any price.

One reason was the lateness of payments (up to 8 months) and the lack of interest in sorting it out.

Another was inadequate specifications with unpaid extras requested during works.

Another is the insidious 'I know we haven't asked/paid for you to do all this, but we do have another big project coming up next year' speech, stronly hinting that if you don't do this for us then we won't give you any more work.

The final straw was something else - credit theft. The 'client' started to make brief appearances on our surveys - usually meeting us there and helping to carry a tripod or something. Or he would simply arrive, say hello then leave. No more than 20 minutes at a time, and no more than once per survey. So we send in the surveys. The client then changes the details on the survey, and submits it internally with his name added, as 'assisted by XXX'. This national organisation then publishes it as a joint effort, and all his peers think he is a hard-working and diligent archaeologist. He only carried a tripod once, yet has reaped more kudos and credit than I could ever hope to. It's not I am credit-hungry - but why should someone else take it.

Then he dropped the 'assisted by', and started to claim 50% credit ie by ME and HIM, even if all he had done was to change the title page on the report. And there was very little I could do (it seems that embarressing a fairly senior archaeologist is worse than credit-theft). He told me about it in a very embarressed tone, but implied he had only done it once to beef up his annual work record. The bugger is MIFA as well.

So last year I decided to drop the clot and branch out (pride - get some now), and am now in year 2 of a 5 year plan to become a self-made millionaire in IT (I hope I haven't offended anyone by being a bread-head). I'm also writing an archaeology book, and planning future projects. My plan is to have an income of several hundred K for working 8 months/year, and if I am still interested in archaeology I will spend time undertaking some decent research projects.

Commercial, government, university and charity archaeology doesn't hold any interest for me, paid or unpaid.

Needless to say, my nemesis has tried to turn me into a non-person by labelling me 'awkward' (which I can be if provoked) - and will continue to put up a barrier as a way of protecting himself from his colleagues finding out what he has been up to.

SO that is my personal solution to the poor standards and pay that archaeology brings.

It would be interesting if all archaeology projects were setup and run by qualified self-made millionaires - so get working you lazy gits - real work like 12-20 hour days, 6/7 days a week for 2-3 years, and then see what you can do.

http://www.archaeologicalplanningconsult...ridge.html

A site diary, updated daily with text and images, the agreed Method Statement for the evaluation work and a map of the site in its context.

Fancy being a curator?? go on then - [:0]

Another day another WSI?

Ok I don't mean to offend anyone with this subject
When I was doing my degree my uni completely failed at explaining what an SMR/HER is, and how it is used. As a curator I get the distinct impression from a lot of people (Contractors, Students and the occassional curator etc) that they don't know what one is.
What I wanted to know was how many people don't understand everything they think they should about an SMR/HER? If you all know then I'll shut up and get on with (boring) data input

Where?