12th February 2006, 07:06 PM
Sometime later this year age discrimination in UK employment will become illegal and a good thing too. As the government is also introducing a New Deal 50+, where employers taking on the over 50's can qualify for training grants of up to ?1500, I expect that the number of oldsters in archaeology will increase rather than decrease. Perhaps we should be preparing a BAJR "Toleration for the Aged" pack in anticipation of that day.
As someone on the cheerful side of 40, can I suggest a number of contributions 'The Aged' make to the archaeological workforce:
As someone on the cheerful side of 40, can I suggest a number of contributions 'The Aged' make to the archaeological workforce:
- The sex, drugs and rock and roll thing. We have probably done that. Probably more times than you youngsters too. So we kind of know our limits.
- Planning accurately off two trees and a blade of grass. Yep, we can probably do that too
- May have dug on the site next door 20 years back.
- More likely to own a car
- Probably get on quite well with that difficult consultant/curator, as they almost certainly 'tutored' them during their early digging career
- Almost certain to know the cheapest cafe/ best pub having visited the same town 20 years back
- Probably can use theodolites that don't rely on battery packs
- Probably doesn't listen to Radio 1.
- Probably does read books written by authors other than Philip Pullman
- Almost certainly knows the answer to the 'impossible' clue in the Times or Guardian Concise crossword
- Probably has an interest or hobby that does not involve Star Trek, Dr Who, Bilbo Baggins, war games or X-boxes
- Probably not at all bothered by the jumped-up tosser promoted beyond their abilities who takes such great pleasure in intimidating younger members of staff
- Probably appreciative of the efforts of all staff
- A joy to work with, or for