27th April 2010, 07:03 PM
I used to be a fan of the idea that the IfA should go for chartered status and by implication presume its members to be 'licenced' to undertake archaeological work but I have changed my mind?
I now think the way to control archaeology (standards and ethics), to improve terms and conditions of employment and to put a brake on the number of professional practitioners of archaeology is to franchise a limited number of archaeological undertakings. These undertakings will work within a fixed price set-up for the type of work they offer, will offer a national fixed scale of payments for archaeological work (be it wages or fess) and will work either within a fixed geographic area or to a specific archaeological specialism or specialisms.
Does this leave a role for the IfA? Yes, but I'm not to sure what that role is. This should be an embarassing admission by someone who has been a member of the IfA for close on 25 years, but fortunately I find myself in the company of several hundred/thousand other IfA members who are also unsure as to why and what they are members of.... :I
I now think the way to control archaeology (standards and ethics), to improve terms and conditions of employment and to put a brake on the number of professional practitioners of archaeology is to franchise a limited number of archaeological undertakings. These undertakings will work within a fixed price set-up for the type of work they offer, will offer a national fixed scale of payments for archaeological work (be it wages or fess) and will work either within a fixed geographic area or to a specific archaeological specialism or specialisms.
Does this leave a role for the IfA? Yes, but I'm not to sure what that role is. This should be an embarassing admission by someone who has been a member of the IfA for close on 25 years, but fortunately I find myself in the company of several hundred/thousand other IfA members who are also unsure as to why and what they are members of.... :I
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...