On Britons..."they go into battle in chariots and have small,swift horses, there are also foot-soldiers, very swift in running and very firm in standing their ground. For arms they have a shield and a short spear, with a bronze apple attached to the end of the spear-shaft, so that when it is shaken it may clash and terrify the enemy.....they can endure any kind of hardship; for they plunge into the swamps and exist there for many days with only their heads above water...." Cassius Dio 77.
Just what on earth is this blokey on about? Apple-rattling swamp dwellers? How relevent can historical/histerical documents be? Anyone ever found an Iron Age rattly apple?

Dear archaeological types,
We as archaeologists present the evidence we find as impartially as we can and ignore all political and religious inclinations we hold thus allowing a balanced and non biased view of our past.

Having had a ball bouncingly hearty discussion in the site hut the other day non of us could say that we didn?t in some way project our own belief system within archaeological data we record, be that Marxist, Processional or new age (man).

For instance how can someone from a public school back ground who has never smoked the Ol Jamaican Old Holborn but knows a good Port when he or she tastes one interpret data in the same way as a dreadlocked cider supping fellow of equal intellect but not from the same background and also people of differing cultures. I am aware of creating arcytipypical stereotypes but I am trying discribe the veritable po pori of individuals working with and interpreting raw data.

You meet so many differing types within this profession from the profound to the just plain barmy and with that in mind can we say that history as it was laid down without bias can be interpreted in just the same way by a group of individuals with such differing outlooks on the modern world around us.

We could say that the Project Officer has the most clowt on site anyhow and changes description and interpritations on context sheets to fit his veiw of the site and fit any phasing he has concluded as happening on the site..[?]

I thank you?

Death to the Aristo`s

If this site were "The Great Escape" which character would you like to be?
For instance Mr Hosty would have to be Big X (in charge of the escape commitee).
But who would you be??

deep

A good few of my mates are now diggin 18/19th Century industrial sites (poor sods). How many Project Manager types out there can put their hands up and say that they insist on chemical analysis on site prior to allowing any fieldwork? Or, are archaeologists just chucked at the project regardless of hydrocarbons/cadmium/asbestos/heavy metals? Have any industrial diggers ever seen a mention in the risk assessments? Or indeed, any risk assessments at all?

Mate of mine works and lives in Eboracum and since I`ve been an invading southern git for a year now, have been lucky enough to visit and be shown around the sexy city. One thing that does disturb me about York (apart from women in ridiculous headgear during the racing)is the sheer amount of archaeology for sale in the shops. How does this happen? I spend my working life shovelling the proverbial and find one Roman coin in 8 years, go to York and I can buy a bag of the buggars for ?20! Not just coins but statues/whole pots/metal work and just about anything else. I once came across a similar shop in Chichester where whole beakers were on offer too. Wos goin on????????? My life, what I`d give to dig in York....and London for that matter but sadly, apparently we can all afford to pay our own rent...

Lets start off with one question...

If archaeologists are not regulated or require and form of licence...why should detectorists?

No banning... but stay cool

Another day another WSI?

All new tv BBC2 MAP MAN (no not a geeky super hero) just one guy on a bike following old maps and tracing remains through the modern landscape. One bloke and his bike and a compass and a Map.. simple and interesting. TT take note.:face-thinks:

I note that a couple of recent job adverts for work in Ireland are asking for applicants who hold the Safe Pass qualification. No problem with that, but does anyone know whether it is possible to gain this qualification outside of Ireland?

I have also heard that some Irish employers expect their staff to pay for the cost of this qualification (c100 euros). Is that legal? I have always understood that Irish Health and Saftey legislation is virtually indistinguishable from UK law and such a charge would be out of order here.

Any chance that Hosty could clarify the situation and ask future Irish advertisers to state whether they or the employer is expected to pick up this tab?

A spokeswoman for Channel four recently said "...hosted by Tony Robinson, TVs most ardent advocate of archaeology..." I`m saying nowt. Toes are curlin and bile risin.....[:0]

I wish to express my sympathy for all those affected by the London Bombing.

Those that carried out this attrocity also affected the G8 debate on poverty.. they care for no-one..

once again.. I send support to London.

please join me in this.

Another day another WSI?