4th September 2009, 02:31 PM
Perhaps the recession should be an opportunity for us to reassess and reboot. Recession has a strange tendency to inspire innovation and perhaps we need a think tank. Comparing the world of archaeology with other more mainstream profesions will always be a nightmare. It has to be said that we are unique in what we do and what we can offer. One asset that doesn`t readily parallel the other professions is education. Archaeology is the one profession that could slip comfortably into formal education systems and social projects. If we are to continue to shout to be heard, why not say the things we need to say in the most fertile environments? A case of "strong words softly spoken''. There are not many of the other professions that inspire the same level of social interest as ours and it would be difficult to envisage many of the other professions occupying a space within education systems.
The logical progression from the PPG event horizon is largely what we see today, professional units working to professional standards in a competitive environment (
). To be truly competitive, units should diversify in what they offer rather then being solely dependent upon crumbs from the developers table. Talk to local education providers/councils/social services and whatever it takes to get a foothold on the "high profile'' ladder. People will only begin to understand just what archaeology can offer society at large if we reach out and get involved. The unthinkable alternative is to do nothing and allow crappy tv programs to set a universal entertainment profile for us.
Having seen what a largely unfettered archaeological industry can be guilty of in the past, I have to be honest and say that I support the view that some element of State control needs to be exercised. Statute Law is also way overdue. Banks and other financial institutions have come in for their own levels of nemesis recently for better or worse and in our little world, what would be so wrong about the State formally recognising that it cares enough to grapple back some element of control over what has become a runaway train of competitive destruction of a finite National resource?
The logical progression from the PPG event horizon is largely what we see today, professional units working to professional standards in a competitive environment (
). To be truly competitive, units should diversify in what they offer rather then being solely dependent upon crumbs from the developers table. Talk to local education providers/councils/social services and whatever it takes to get a foothold on the "high profile'' ladder. People will only begin to understand just what archaeology can offer society at large if we reach out and get involved. The unthinkable alternative is to do nothing and allow crappy tv programs to set a universal entertainment profile for us.Having seen what a largely unfettered archaeological industry can be guilty of in the past, I have to be honest and say that I support the view that some element of State control needs to be exercised. Statute Law is also way overdue. Banks and other financial institutions have come in for their own levels of nemesis recently for better or worse and in our little world, what would be so wrong about the State formally recognising that it cares enough to grapple back some element of control over what has become a runaway train of competitive destruction of a finite National resource?