Archaeology and the global crisis

[Austin Ainsworth]

[edit] comment removed

[BAJR Host]

I've said many a time that you could pretty much find someone to do almost every job in archaeology for nothing, assuming you were willing to spend a lot longer doing the work. That is surely one of the main reasons it doesn't happen, the planning guidelines are there to provide a way for the archaeology to be dealt with at a realistic speed and within a larger framework that covers al sorts of broadly environmental factors.

I think this is an absolutely crucial point one that perhaps if we understand and expand on, we can then become more at ease of who we are, what we do and what we wish to become.

As you say later

People who have the choice would be far better off sticking to sites that might actually add to our knowledge!

and this sums it up. An amateur group or person (like myself now) who carries out archaeology ON archaeology specifically to excavate, survey or record actual known archaeology - ie I will excavate a number of hill forts to look at chronology across a group of 20 in my area... OR a commercial archaeologist who will be on hand to mitigate or previously evaluate to ensure the development in that area is not affected by the potential for archaeology, therefore I cannot decide where I will dig as this has been decided by other factors outwith my control (the Regional Frameworks are a brave attempt at a compromise situation)

IF we accept the premise that digging archaeology and digging commercial archaeology are fundamentally different, can me create a situation where the blurring of purpose is no more.

I recently talked to a curator who said it was 'easy' in their area as the site density was such that any development would have archaeology, while in my case in the wilds of midlothian, as a development control asst. archaeologist it felt more like blindfolded darts! My problem was not the known archaeology, that people seldomn looked a (apart from local groups) it was the vast swathes of nothing known. And here it took the special talents you describe to be able to deal with this. There is where our uniqueness comes in, and therefore should we play to that? or play to the blurred boundaries.

I am just off to try and locate data on number of planning apps / number of archaeology conditions / number of actual discoveries.

[GnomeKing]

david is right - "I would hope that my experience, qualifications and professional ethic might count for something?"(pualbedford)....er not if "You could find volunteers to do almost any job," (RedEarth).

[RedEarth]

I was going to spend the time replying to David's post but I think we are broadly in agreement and, ironically enough, I have been too busy wondering how I am going to survive in the current economic situation.

Regarding volunteers verses professionals, given how much some people seem to charge for their services, they might as well be volunteers.

[BAJR Host]

Surviving the current crisis will require some concrete ideas - and we may be moving in that direction ... this is an important debate to have, because from it could spring some solid ideas

[kevin wooldridge]

I agree David and one of the areas where BAJRfed might help would be to provide access for both those who survive and those that move-on to other things to describe their experience. A kind of 'Recession Chronicle....'

[BAJR Host]

I will set up a place for that. I like the name! Case studies that people can contribute to, and anon if needed.

I will be back with the details

[BAJR Host]

http://www.bajrfed.co.uk/pg/groups/4562/...chronicle/

New group

[troll]

Perhaps the recession should be an opportunity for us to reassess and reboot. Recession has a strange tendency to inspire innovation and perhaps we need a think tank. Comparing the world of archaeology with other more mainstream profesions will always be a nightmare. It has to be said that we are unique in what we do and what we can offer. One asset that doesn`t readily parallel the other professions is education. Archaeology is the one profession that could slip comfortably into formal education systems and social projects. If we are to continue to shout to be heard, why not say the things we need to say in the most fertile environments? A case of "strong words softly spoken''. There are not many of the other professions that inspire the same level of social interest as ours and it would be difficult to envisage many of the other professions occupying a space within education systems.

The logical progression from the PPG event horizon is largely what we see today, professional units working to professional standards in a competitive environment (). To be truly competitive, units should diversify in what they offer rather then being solely dependent upon crumbs from the developers table. Talk to local education providers/councils/social services and whatever it takes to get a foothold on the "high profile'' ladder. People will only begin to understand just what archaeology can offer society at large if we reach out and get involved. The unthinkable alternative is to do nothing and allow crappy tv programs to set a universal entertainment profile for us.

Having seen what a largely unfettered archaeological industry can be guilty of in the past, I have to be honest and say that I support the view that some element of State control needs to be exercised. Statute Law is also way overdue. Banks and other financial institutions have come in for their own levels of nemesis recently for better or worse and in our little world, what would be so wrong about the State formally recognising that it cares enough to grapple back some element of control over what has become a runaway train of competitive destruction of a finite National resource?

[kevin wooldridge]

David how do I add a new topic to the Recession Chronicle. Can't seem to be able to find a discussion prompt....