21st July 2006, 03:37 PM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by BAJR HostWell I will.
though neither did you adress the question of what you would do
PAS freely admit their presence doesn't result in all the finds being reported. Sad but true, and particularly regrettable when scatters are involved. I lack confidence that your presence and that of other BAJR members will add to the numbers reported beyond what will be reported due to PAS's presence. Bear in mind PAS are there, despite being not fans of rallies, ex officio despite their misgivings (and I'm sure they will be acutely embarrassed to have to be at this one).
Please also bear in mind that the detectorist attendees are a self-selected set of those who think there's nothing wrong with this venue.
Many detectorists share my view that there are some rallies that just shouldn't be held. Those, of course, won't be there.
The upside of your presence is therefore very uncertain. The downside isn't - those who organised it will be able to say its archaeologically blessed. If the right fields are open (1000 acres are said to be available - how will you organise people spread across those?) will we see an image of you and BAJR members actually using metal detectors right next to the henge? What will that say?
So, what would I do if i were you? I'd re-think it and not attend. There are so many rallies you could have chosen to show co-operation between detectorists and archaeologists, why pick on THIS one to lend your professional support to, the one that's the least appropriate and most offensive to the maximum number of people. I have no doubt the detectorists who chose this venue knew full well they were making the rudest gesture they could to archaeologists and conservationists in general - why do it otherwise? Most land in this country isn't, as EH's committee members recently described Thornborough's surroundings - "of World Heritage class, in the top league of prehistoric landscapes"? Get thee all hence.