There has been much said about the IFA and various unions.
New thread is should we as archaeologist try to establish our own teeth kicking ( by that I mean results orientated and a bit more aggresive in getting things done) type of union to push the IFA and other organisations (one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg or spend most of their time on designing a pretty magazine. Fighting fund for issues such as Trolls.).

I don`t remember ever being exposed to lectures on ethics written by anyone relating to some of the issues we have discussed recently. I suppose we are drifting into the shadowy realms of politically correct archaeology? Does anyone know of any relevant texts on the subject? Indeed-are there any? There are plenty of ethics and guidelines penned with Human remains in mind, and I`m sure that by now, there must be plenty in relation to Indigenous Americans and indigenous Australians for the guidence of archaeologists working in those fields. Where are the ethical standards written that relate to places like Turkey or Israel or the state of Mugabe or whitehall for that matter?[?]

Now for something completely different! The question is - are there a higher proportion of people who have suffered mental illness in the archaeological profession/at university than other professions?

I have met quite a few people working on excavations who have had mental problems like Schizophrenia, depression, nervous breakdowns,drug addiction (I once had to pull the van over so one digger could chase the dragon before we did a survey), and the like. I'm pretty sure I was one of the large number of males who get a bit of Schizophrenia in their mid 20s, but put it down to excessive living and magic mushrooms by the bucketful.

I also remember being told that homes/institutions used to send patients on excavations for therapy.

So I'm wondering if archaeologist's are self-treating mentals, or subconsiously preventing something?? Or restless souls looking for an answer. Any truth in this theory?.

I don't expect everyone to publically confess their personal problems, and I am not making light of mental illness (although the odd joke is always welcome) but has anyone else noticed this? Do you reckon archaeology attracts oddballs (not just externally)? Or creates them?

Someone asked about community archaeology on a recent thread - how about care in the community archaeology.

Even if you are not mad, please contribute.

Am off to the near-east for a month (july-august) and my host has asked for one more volunteer to help analyse a whole load of Bronze Age lithics from the Republic of (southern) Cyprus. Bed and board is provided-you will have to pay for flight and provide pocket money yourself. I need responses as soon as possible before my host fills the only place on the project left. You must be competent with lithics and be willing to work for a month for nowt (free tan)! Gizza shout quick! sicleggett@fsmail.net for more details...[8D]

OAU Zeugma

come on then folks, tell us all on here where you went to university and how you rate that college. was it great for some parts but not so for others?

I went to uwcn, it was ok but a bit heavy on the anthropology modules.

deep

Student loan company decides I`ve defaulted by not returning a defferment form I never received.They send another form demanding to know how many kids I`ve got etc.Troll tells them to sod off cos it`s none of their business and asks for a defferment form.They refuse. This goes on for months. Troll gets a letter from a county court telling him he either provides bank/employer details under an attachment to earnings order so that student loan company can take money they have no right to-or, goes to jail for 14 days.. Troll writes back telling the court the story. Troll gets letter back from court saying that he can go to court to be heard but has to pay ?60. So, I take home ?211 a week as a digger. My loan agreement payback level is ?20,000 p.a. I am being asked to pay ?60 (cost me same again in day off to do so) to dispute the right of said company to remove money from my wages. Troll not doing neither...troll goin to have a couple of weeks of free food/board...Bo**ocks.If no internet in jailville, will be offline for a bit.

Below is the press release for Thornborough Free Festival. This event has already got more than 40 music acts booked and is highly unusual in that it will have archaeologists appearing on the same stage as drag artists! (at different times of course, no need to confuse the public ;o)).

We are looking for archaeologists willing to come and talk about different aspects of archaeology as it effects Thornborough. We already have developer driven archaeology covered, so the rest will be the good stuff - the wonders of the Neolithic world, the axe trade, henges, cursuses, Bronze Age pit alignments, community archaeology etc. speakers have a thirty minute slot in a relaxed environment. Unfortunately, we are not paying expences, so if you are in the area or would come to the event to show your support for Thornborough, please get in touch.

The planning meeting for the Ladybridge application will be held on July 19th so this is a timely opportunity to do just that.

Thanks

George

Thornborough Free Festival

June 4th Masham, North Yorkshire.

A celebration of culture, heritage and music.

On Saturday June 4th 2005 Masham will host a unique public
celebration in honour of the Thornborough Henges. The free festival
will be host to a multitude of entertainers who have come together,
giving their time for free in order to create a truly memorable day.

The event will include live music, poetry, art and open air
entertainment, in support of the TimeWatch campaign to save the
Thornborough Henges (see http://www.timewatch.org) and will be a family
friendly celebration that promises to be a great time for all.

Whilst there's already an ambitious line up of musicians and
entertainers for the one day event, the organisers ? Thornborough
Free Festival are waiting until all of the acts are confirmed before
publishing details. So far we have Folk, Blues, Rock, comedy, guest
speakers and street entertainers.

A great many people have already committed to provide help and
participation on the day, but we are still looking for volunteers to
help out on the day as well as additional entertainers.

This event promises to be one of Britain's most special events for
2005, an opportunity to have a great deal of fun whilst supporting
these worthy ancient structures.

Full details of the event will be available on online ?
http://www.thornborough.org

We are asking for people who are available on the 4th of June and
feel they could contribute to our unique festival in any way to
please contact matty@thornborough.org.




Save the Thornborough Henge Complex - http://www.timewatch.org

A British University is currently undertaking fieldwork in northern Cyprus. Cyprus was violently invaded by Turkey on July the 20th 1974. This was a part of an American policy, supported by Britain to partition the island between Greek and Turkish Cypriots-communities who had lived together for years. The invasion resulted in massacres, rapes and executions amounting to the deaths of at least two thousand non-combatants. 1619 people are still missing and the Turkish Government have done nothing to explain this. 200 thousand people were chased out of their homes and today live as refugees in their own country. The Capital of Cyprus-Nicosia, is the only remaining divided city in Europe. The only Government to recognise the legitimacy of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" are the Turks.Despite this, one British University is undertaking fieldwork in northern Cyprus. In my view, this is disgusting and, shows a complete disreguard for the feelings of the world`s Governments and more importantly, the hundreds of thousands of Greek and Turkish Cypriots suffering to this day.Discuss...}

Just thought I would throw this in - I was just looking at the Rescue website and it occurs to me that their stated aims are much closer to what the more militant amongst us have been hoping to see come from the IFA. Could they be an alternative?