Just wanted to know guys if any of you goodly folk have taken a break from archaeology for a period of years to either have kids or fancied something non archaeological for a while. Money aside, did you find it easy to return to the proffession or did you find that after a coupla years away you lose pace with archaeology or employers were unwilling to take you back at the same grade. Im in that position at the mo and would be really glad to hear from Project Officers and Mangers as thats my current grade but hey anybodys views and experiences would be most welcome. Also how do you guys cope with living and working away from husbands and wives for such lengths of time are they supportive or do you like me on occasion feel pangs of guilt about the life we as archaeologist put our partners through. Cheers thanks a lot.

Greetings you orrible lot! I managed to avoid the recent Helios aircrash but flew home with the same company yesterday. Must be someone looking out for me. Just spent a month playing with some incredible lithics- aceramic Neolithic (circa 8,000 bc)including plenty axes. The thing that really blew me away was the ability of the "knapper" in producing bowls and "plates" from andesite/gabbro and a range of other wierd stones. The profile and intricacy of these vessels would rival the ability of Wedgewood and in some cases, the bowls have carved and decorated rims! Mind-blowing! Some of the tools were also produced from some of the most unlikely stone-including quartz! Will have to start knapping all over again...more blood-loss imminent! A worthwhile experience that has augmented my love of lithics in a big way. I posted a thread here some time ago about academics being let loose on other nation`s archaeology, will expand upon the theme when I`ve had more sleep and the "vengeant" button is switched in the "hibernate" mode. This is particularly relevent in the context of treatment of Human remains...more later.For now, it`s good to come home to see that you are all getting louder by the day. Pay and conditions, Health and safety...lets keep these issues firmly at the top of our agenda. Will spend a couple of hours later pouring over what has been said in my absence and then...game on. By the way, had only been in the country for ten minutes before some prat in Gatwick car park made the mistake of pointing his mouth at me-got stuck in every traffic jam from Gatwick to Leicester and when I finally got home, it pi**ed it down and I found my letterbox stuffed with brown threatening letters. God I love this country...back on site tommoz!

Heres an interesting site, it tells it as it is. For the North American scene but lots of it is applicable outside the US

http://archaeology.about.com/gi/dynamic/...2Fhome.htm


Little Tim

After looking at the plans for the Olympic Village and associated stadiums on`t net, does anyone know if it will result in a large scale excavation? What is the area like for archaeological potential? By the looks of it it could be a huge contract.

We keep hearing about the bad units and bad practice here. So, for a change and in the interests of following on from the Digger's fantasy unit league, who would you recommend as a good employer and why?

To start the ball rolling:
I found Bedford to be fairly good employers when I worked for them. Not sure how they are now as Albion Archaeology, but we used to get weekly briefings about the work situation; we were given suitable PPE (not the cheapest crap around); the diggers' accommodation was pretty good IMO; and the contracts were better than many in archaeology. Oh yes, and the unit management had a good line in catchphrases, which were a good source of amusement.

Cheers,
Eggbasket

Eggy by name, eggy by nature

While not on the cards at the moment does anyone have any idea what the situation is for working in France and Spain as an archaeologist full time rather then just on the summer university digs. Would be good to know that British diggers can find work in the rest of Europe or are we held back by a lack of knowing other languages or employment rules?

Recently I was told about a company in Wales who have taken on a large contract somewhere (no names, no pack drill).The work is to last until Febuary but, the diggers have only been given contracts until the 22nd of December. I suggested that we ask BAJR to mediate between the company and diggers to try and get it sorted, David asked for a copy of one of the contracts,but none of them have the BALLS to send me one. Now this is what I call moans in the pub!
If you are going to complain, then bloody well do so, don't just winge a bit then carry on working. This is one of the reasons that pay and conditions are so bad in archaeology.
Bloody Apathy, makes me MAD[:0]

deep

Now a revolutionary concept in detecting....!

tried this out on the PAS forum and the UK detector Net forum...

http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/forum/vi...c&start=15

what are your thoughts...

I am prepared to be shot down in flames.. but pulling together lots of different threads, concepts, ideas, isues compromises, etc ... How about this.

at the moment Detectorists are only allowed to detect on certain areas. with the areas of CSS a grey area and known archaeological sites being out of bounds (or a grey area)

Here it is.....


Those detectorists who don't want to record (for whatever reason) can continue to their hearts content on the same amount of land they have just now.

Those that get a voluntary/free 'permit to detect' from the PAS are then allowed to work on CSS farms and also Council Land. because they have shown a commitment to record the finds in this area.

Thos who go on to take the (potential) course in detecting survey will also be allowed to work on archaeological sites within these areas as the standard of recorded data will be of great use, as well as being a great way of protecting sites that would (a) be attacked by thieves (b) run the risk of the artefacts in the topsoil being destroyed and therefore lost to us all.

So that way, those that don't want to record can continue, those that want to record can get onto previously unavailable land and those that want to work even more deeply can have access to known sites (and I could even suggest SAM sites)

--- It can all dovetail into practical events (like an archeo-detecting rally) and Continual Professional Development (CPDs) as well as being affiliated with an educational body. This would be good for everyone involved, as it would both break barriers and help training all round. Would expect the PAS and Scottish Treasure Trove would be interested in being involved too (he says hopefully!)

-----

Of course... this is just my mind playing with ideas.. so its pretty rough, and DEFRA, PAS, EH, etc have to agree as well.... but what do people think. ??

I have also posted this on the UKDN noticeboard and PAS to see the reaction...

badger (wide eyed and innocent)

Another day another WSI?

Its been damnably quiet on here mate!
Where's my stick of rock?
And my duty free fags??

deep

My current unit, like all before, has lost all its good shovels. They are being replaced by the sort of ridiculously heavy, blunt, and clumsily weighted crap that gives you a bad back in about 10 minutes. In trying to buy more today I was shocked to learn that the aforementioned crap was not the cheap stuff, but the only stuff available.

Does anyone know where to find old style light shovels made with good quality steel? Please help, me and my bad back are desperate!

ps. The internet has been a bust so far.