19th February 2007, 05:33 PM
1man1desk - I agree that there is a difference between outreach and involvement but I believe that both can be done (but maybe not in all cases etc..)
I agree with Troll too that that access to site is a limited view of what commercial arch and its relationsip to the public has to offer.
I worked on a programme with a local education officer that would happen long after the dig finished (and had nothng to do with access on site although we did give a few tours etc. while excavation was on). this developed from public interest of the site. This officer has nothing to do with archaeology but she saw the potential BUT she got a job in SCRAN and me being a field arch moved on and so the programme never came to fruition. This leads to another problem - long term work with public instead of love them and leave them. Like Beamo says you need planning and I also feel follow up and to do this you need money (and consistent staff) which is difficult if its not a priority to the client. In addition not all archs want to deal with public or have the skills to do so - nearly all museums now (public or private funded) have education officers (this is a very recent development) and for that matter many commercial sector companies have an education side to their work- is there a case for this in commercial arch but again where would the money come from?
PS - Beamo - what you are doing sounds very cool
I love deadlines I love the whoosing noise they make as they pass you be! (Douglas Adams)
I agree with Troll too that that access to site is a limited view of what commercial arch and its relationsip to the public has to offer.
I worked on a programme with a local education officer that would happen long after the dig finished (and had nothng to do with access on site although we did give a few tours etc. while excavation was on). this developed from public interest of the site. This officer has nothing to do with archaeology but she saw the potential BUT she got a job in SCRAN and me being a field arch moved on and so the programme never came to fruition. This leads to another problem - long term work with public instead of love them and leave them. Like Beamo says you need planning and I also feel follow up and to do this you need money (and consistent staff) which is difficult if its not a priority to the client. In addition not all archs want to deal with public or have the skills to do so - nearly all museums now (public or private funded) have education officers (this is a very recent development) and for that matter many commercial sector companies have an education side to their work- is there a case for this in commercial arch but again where would the money come from?
PS - Beamo - what you are doing sounds very cool
I love deadlines I love the whoosing noise they make as they pass you be! (Douglas Adams)