10th November 2005, 01:17 PM
In context, the American website was commenting on our pay and conditions. Having worked with archaeologists abroad-I share your view, we have something to be proud of. On the other hand, I make the distinction between commercial archaeology and the proper variety. Achingknees has hit the nail on the head-pull everything out to natural, empty it and go home. Occurs with a frightening frequency.Just one practise of many. Archaeology does`nt belong in a commercial environment in it`s current form. Simply requiring the bare minimum from a client is an old and inadequate ethic. The rate at which development has increased since the introduction of guidelines has meant that a painfully incalculable number of archaeological sites have been approached with this minimalist attitude. Competative environments can be healthy yes but- where the minimum is the starting gate for the tendering process......[?]