16th January 2008, 02:54 PM
I agree with your points Paul. What I have never really got to grips with is how archaeology progressed from the point long ago and far, far away, where I began my career - as a volunteer on a professional excavation contributing to the work and receiving training - to today, where volunteers are almost totally excluded except in special circumstances. It's not impossible to integrate volunteers into a professional framework (look at schools, hospitals or even the army). It just needs a bit of forethought from the employers to enable them to best make use of the skills and dedication of the volunteers.
D. Vader
Senior Consultant
Vader Maull & Palpatine
Archaeological Consultants
Don't make me destroy you, Curator
D. Vader
Senior Consultant
Vader Maull & Palpatine
Archaeological Consultants
Don't make me destroy you, Curator