6th September 2005, 07:49 PM
It has been banded about for years that "developers plough millions into archaeology". I`ve said this before but, the percentage of developer`s budgets that go into archaeology is peanuts. Unfortunately, the lions share lands on the desks of consultancies and by the time a site opens, we are generally left with a quid, a hat and, a packet of crisps. I have to say at this point that I have again, been extremely rude to consultants here and again, have to apologise. My recent postings have been acidic in the extreme and have been fed largely by phone calls and e-mails that I receive from the circuit world almost daily. I would, remove my postings over on the other thread through sheer embarrassment but, by leaving them in, the consultants responses will be read in context. Apologies guys. Think I`m having one of those 7 year itch "why the fek should I bother" months...to offer some comments...it would be nice to see project designs and specs (from consultants) followed on the ground but, that would seem to be the exception rather than the rule. Further, it is not unusual to find specs and designs from consultants that are simply un-workable and un-realistic on site. Also not unusual to find gaping holes in consultants research methodologies-something that can and does have very real consequences for the site in question...developers will hold workers to the letter of the method statement/project design and when potential is underestimated or ommitted, tough. A key problem in consultancies is the loyalty issue. There`s not that many out there who will smack a client`s arse when they behave badly, have seen it all before-site is trashed every day and the consultants ignore it.Money talks, the main demon responsible for the ills in commercial archaeology. 1man1desk, Doctor Wardle, my apologies-you just happened to be in the way during one of my frequent menstruation cycles. One day I may just grow up. Having had a recent look at the outlined consultants mandated modus operandi-I was just wondering; is there honestly any role there that could`nt be fulfilled by commercial unit staff rather than a consultant? After all, the units(in theory) know the sites/timings/potential/likely costings-surely a more efficient/cost effective and informed choice for developers?