30th June 2006, 11:23 AM
I had written quite a long reply... sadly my computer decided against it being put up !
to summarise
Archaeologists have Codes of Conduct, Guidance Documents and Best Practice - in reality... there is little (unless a law has been broken) that can be done to prevent 'moral' breaches... I do know in this case that something was done... (I would prefer to go on the broad brush here - AUP and all that ....
What Steve says is incrediblly sensible, where self-determination by detectorists is followed by self policing... looking to us for guidance is like looking to the Bush Administration for help on foreign policy (personal opinion I hasten to add!)
I do think we try very hard, but perhaps could do better would be a suitable report card mark.... how can we then say to detectorists... hey.... foul... (footie reference slipped in !) you is not doing what we told you to do...
perhaps treating people as equals rather than individuals who need help tying shoelaces... Detectorists have to find their own confidence and position... as hobby or as professionals... (whatever shade in between) ... archaeologists have to look at our own procedures... and if we want to lead... then we lead by example, by gaining respect.... etc etc...
This does not take away from the fact that detectorists need to work on their (self) / (external) image... to get respect back as well... but I would say it is happening...
On one final note...
if a detectorists had done the same 'we' would have all cried out that it was exactly what 'we' knew all along.... ye canny trust em! As it is a heritage professional; in a position where you have to be squeaky clean (I know only too well myself) we are suddenly shuffling feet and coughing...
I would not like to see this go any further, but perhaps a bit of introspection on both sides is useful.....
Thanks to Steve for his thoughts... and for an intersting moral debate...
ps... if Nigel(or Paul on his behalf) contacts me by PM, I can try and sort his account... I could reset the password)
Another day another WSI?
to summarise
Archaeologists have Codes of Conduct, Guidance Documents and Best Practice - in reality... there is little (unless a law has been broken) that can be done to prevent 'moral' breaches... I do know in this case that something was done... (I would prefer to go on the broad brush here - AUP and all that ....
What Steve says is incrediblly sensible, where self-determination by detectorists is followed by self policing... looking to us for guidance is like looking to the Bush Administration for help on foreign policy (personal opinion I hasten to add!)
I do think we try very hard, but perhaps could do better would be a suitable report card mark.... how can we then say to detectorists... hey.... foul... (footie reference slipped in !) you is not doing what we told you to do...
perhaps treating people as equals rather than individuals who need help tying shoelaces... Detectorists have to find their own confidence and position... as hobby or as professionals... (whatever shade in between) ... archaeologists have to look at our own procedures... and if we want to lead... then we lead by example, by gaining respect.... etc etc...
This does not take away from the fact that detectorists need to work on their (self) / (external) image... to get respect back as well... but I would say it is happening...
On one final note...
if a detectorists had done the same 'we' would have all cried out that it was exactly what 'we' knew all along.... ye canny trust em! As it is a heritage professional; in a position where you have to be squeaky clean (I know only too well myself) we are suddenly shuffling feet and coughing...
I would not like to see this go any further, but perhaps a bit of introspection on both sides is useful.....
Thanks to Steve for his thoughts... and for an intersting moral debate...
ps... if Nigel(or Paul on his behalf) contacts me by PM, I can try and sort his account... I could reset the password)
Another day another WSI?