23rd November 2005, 12:16 AM
Yes any proper study of ploughing would have to involve talking to present and past farmers. I met one recently who found a Romano-British village with his plough and then called in the archaeologists.
There is surely a case for preventing ploughing (and Quarries) near sites such as Henges; at the very least until it is certain that all the archaeology that can be found has been recorded.
At the moment government/Eu is funding all sorts of schemes to pay farmers not to farm (returning land to wetlands, set-aside, tree planting etc). I suspect that some New Labour type might jump at the chance to cut production whilst doing something with a 'feel-good factor', but the wheels of government move slowly and I won't hold my breath.
Arthus
There is surely a case for preventing ploughing (and Quarries) near sites such as Henges; at the very least until it is certain that all the archaeology that can be found has been recorded.
At the moment government/Eu is funding all sorts of schemes to pay farmers not to farm (returning land to wetlands, set-aside, tree planting etc). I suspect that some New Labour type might jump at the chance to cut production whilst doing something with a 'feel-good factor', but the wheels of government move slowly and I won't hold my breath.
Arthus