28th April 2009, 04:39 PM
I sent this email to them...
as an individual .. I explained I was not represnting anyones views but my own.
I find myself agreeing with both, but glad that Kenny managed to explain developer funded archaeology.. is it a first in the media!
anyway....
As the director of the British Archaeological Jobs and Resources website, the archaeological jobsite and forum for professional archaeologists and interested members of the public, this debate has been played out over the years, and indeed it was pointed out many times that the levels could not be sustained at those described within the current framework.
Where developer funded archaeology differs, is, as Jan says, the client. As commercial archaeologists, we have a duty to the developer to carry out work that fulfils the requirements to obtain planning permission, but often no more than that. Time constraints on development can put severe pressures on archaeologists who use all their skills, and the fieldstaff are skilled, to gather the data. Fieldwork is of course only part of the story, and the potential knock on effect of also losing skilled specialists who study the data cannot be under-estimated.
However, where I find myself trying to find a common ground, is that the public are the ones who own the past, not the developer, not the archaeologist. In a recent discussion, it became clear that archaeologists wanted to come out from behind the developer fence and share ? and only by gaining further support of the public, one already has a high currency thanks to programmes such as the Time Team, will archaeology ride out this recession. Currently there are several projects that are combining development with public access, and also pure community archaeology, where they local people decide what they want ? and professional archaeologists provide the support.
Things are changing, and we, as archaeologists have to adapt, as we did in the 1990s. Perhaps it is time to return to those values with a dash of realism of circumstances thrown in. On my website I have noticed an increase in outreach and education posts, and perhaps this heralds the understanding of many contractors and organisations that although the future may not be bright at the moment, the future has to include the public more than it does currently, and we cannot afford the loss of skilled field staff that is already happening.
A small but vital sector in the UK, that has so much to offer, cannot be a victim of the credit crunch, but also has to look hard at itself to move forward.
"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli
as an individual .. I explained I was not represnting anyones views but my own.
I find myself agreeing with both, but glad that Kenny managed to explain developer funded archaeology.. is it a first in the media!
anyway....
As the director of the British Archaeological Jobs and Resources website, the archaeological jobsite and forum for professional archaeologists and interested members of the public, this debate has been played out over the years, and indeed it was pointed out many times that the levels could not be sustained at those described within the current framework.
Where developer funded archaeology differs, is, as Jan says, the client. As commercial archaeologists, we have a duty to the developer to carry out work that fulfils the requirements to obtain planning permission, but often no more than that. Time constraints on development can put severe pressures on archaeologists who use all their skills, and the fieldstaff are skilled, to gather the data. Fieldwork is of course only part of the story, and the potential knock on effect of also losing skilled specialists who study the data cannot be under-estimated.
However, where I find myself trying to find a common ground, is that the public are the ones who own the past, not the developer, not the archaeologist. In a recent discussion, it became clear that archaeologists wanted to come out from behind the developer fence and share ? and only by gaining further support of the public, one already has a high currency thanks to programmes such as the Time Team, will archaeology ride out this recession. Currently there are several projects that are combining development with public access, and also pure community archaeology, where they local people decide what they want ? and professional archaeologists provide the support.
Things are changing, and we, as archaeologists have to adapt, as we did in the 1990s. Perhaps it is time to return to those values with a dash of realism of circumstances thrown in. On my website I have noticed an increase in outreach and education posts, and perhaps this heralds the understanding of many contractors and organisations that although the future may not be bright at the moment, the future has to include the public more than it does currently, and we cannot afford the loss of skilled field staff that is already happening.
A small but vital sector in the UK, that has so much to offer, cannot be a victim of the credit crunch, but also has to look hard at itself to move forward.
"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli