I'm British- Historic Enviroment Professional view

[John Walford]

I am struck by an irony in all this waffle. Mr Aitchison would have us believe that archaeologists should be helping to strengthen a sense of place, thus rooting and uniting communities. Yet how often are field archaeologists themselves actually able to live long term as part of a community, and develop roots in one place? My job has taken me backwards and forwards across the country over the past few years and the luxury of settling down somewhere with a secure, long term post remains a pipe dream at present.

"Hidden wisdom and buried treasure, what use is there in either?" (Ecclesiasticus ch20 v30)