Greetings

Something unnerving is happening in archaeology. I've worked on several sites recently where I've spent at least a couple of weeks being the only smoker. Also, I was working on a site recently which had one smoker, one vegetarian and one Guardian reader. What the devil is going on? Has anyone else noticed this development?

On a related note, I don't drink any more these days. Are there any other teetotal diggers out there?

Peace,

lyi.

...to see the metal detecting thread locked and sea-surgion banned, I was watching that with interest. that guy was a bit abrasive but articulate and insicive. he countered everything u thrrew at him, u were on the ropes, folk were starting to agree with him, u couldnt answer valid points, your pet project gets a bit of stick, so you ban the guy, WELL DONE. considering the minute number of people who look at this board there was no need for that, and troll, brave words AFTER the guy has been banned. what happened to free speech? all this from a forum called bajr baiting, named after a disgusting bloodsport, "hello pot, its kettle here."

Molas, Oxford, Wessex and Pre-Disdruct will start their own Olympic bids now ... the race is on who can produce the cheapest tender to do all the archaeology... Pre-construct will be the first to drop out, my bets between Molas and Wessex but I dunno if David Beckham will turn out for Molas.. Phil Harding will be there to promote Wessex Olympic bid. I can just hear those digger wages being skimmed off to try an win that tender.

Well, "we've" won it, so what archaeological events do you think should be included? I'm thinking of entering the Wheelbarrow Steeplechase, the PPG1500 metres and possibly the 4x4 100 metres (for overwieght consultant types).

Has anyone ever come across a coprolite? What contexts? Tapered ends? How would one recognise such a beasty????

Why is archaeology predominantly a white middle class endeavour? Are`nt we failing in something fundamental here?

What on earth is this new trend about? Plenty of empoyers are asking for two references now. I was offered a job when I was already in the field with another unit. How am I supposed to sort two references out when on the circuit? What sort of employer regards references as a guaruntee anyway? Does`nt an archaeologists c.v say it all anyway? Since when do employers need references when they`re only offering temporary/casual contracts? Surely, if a new employee is a dick, references will not reflect this-totally the opposite probably. You only know you have employed a dick when you`ve worked with them. Thatcher and Blair no doubt had exquisite references....On another related issue...what does "degree or equivalent" mean? Are we so awash with willing workers that potential employers can make up the rules as they go along? I would`nt dare ask my boss for a reference-far too much to do and my c.v has all the data a potntial employer needs. What next? Three stage interviews for a weeks work? c`mon.....

I would be interested to know which, if any, archaeology shows you guys out there rate. I remember 10 years or so ago the Time Team was quite good and the excavations non sensationalist and what you saw is what you got, if they found nothing then that was the way it went in archaeology. Are you a Meet the Ancestors type or a 2 Men in a Trench type (sky) or are you higher brow a Timewatch or Horizon Fan perchance. Indeed do the beeb make any more of an impartial job of it. But please, please, please keep it to your selves if you were into the great Satan of archaeological TV that was??.. I can hardly bring myself to say it but here goes ?Extreme Archaeology? Aahhh god said! Sorry that was too much I gotta go and Vom![xx(]

I can't take it any more...

what are peoples thoughts?

Is it a big Dig or a Bag of S##t?

Are you on a site...?

It it good, bad or totally Tony?[?]

Another day another WSI?

Been working on various sites in the same city for 7 months now-(nice change to be off the circuit and in my own bed)-I have seen the city mounty on site only once. He came, he shuffled, he spoke with the grown-ups, he went away. Am I on my own when I suggest that this is a potentially endemic and frankly, sh*t approach to a very important job?