25th July 2010, 11:28 AM
A very important issue, it takes a little bit of effort but the positive gains are surely worth it. It is also a great opportunity to add value to archaeological work - positive PR is something developers can recognise the value of.
The cost of providing schools/colleges with a copy of grey-literature reports for local schools would surely be minimal, but - as Troll points out - how accessible or interesting is the average grey-literature report? In addition should we not be looking to engage local schools, societies and community before the grey-literature report is finished - let's get them involved whilst the archaeology is being undertaken. I know there will be occasions where this isn't possible, but more can be done than is being done at present.
Troll asks for examples of units who do this - I can think of one company local to me who produces small A4 or A5 double-sided leaflets for some of its projects (what's been found, a plan of the site, some good images) - copies distributed to local residents, schools, libraries, etc - not a full report, but it is getting the information out there (quickly and whilst the project is fresh in the communities mind). The developer's logo and funding acknowledgment is included and the developer is given copies for their own use - for example a copy included with the home-buyers pack for each of the new houses in their development.
The web is also a great opportunity. Some of the bigger units are getting onboard with social media - blogs, facebook, twitter, flickr are all being used.
Or how about this project I came across from a couple of years back (http://www.canterburytrust.co.uk/thanearth.html) - regular updated web-page, good coverage in local media, local metal detecting clubs being engaged in the archaeological process, hands-on visits for YAC groups, visits to local schools and object handling sessions, schools visiting the site, public talks, public open-days and site tours, information leaflet (http://www.canterburytrust.co.uk/PDF/webversion.pdf) and lots of pictures and videos on the web-site. Quote from the above about getting school children onto an active archaeological/construction site - "Logistics are challenging ... but interesting" - true, but surely worth it and to be applauded.
Troll is totally right - we need to do more, but it can be done and the results are worth while.
The cost of providing schools/colleges with a copy of grey-literature reports for local schools would surely be minimal, but - as Troll points out - how accessible or interesting is the average grey-literature report? In addition should we not be looking to engage local schools, societies and community before the grey-literature report is finished - let's get them involved whilst the archaeology is being undertaken. I know there will be occasions where this isn't possible, but more can be done than is being done at present.
Troll asks for examples of units who do this - I can think of one company local to me who produces small A4 or A5 double-sided leaflets for some of its projects (what's been found, a plan of the site, some good images) - copies distributed to local residents, schools, libraries, etc - not a full report, but it is getting the information out there (quickly and whilst the project is fresh in the communities mind). The developer's logo and funding acknowledgment is included and the developer is given copies for their own use - for example a copy included with the home-buyers pack for each of the new houses in their development.
The web is also a great opportunity. Some of the bigger units are getting onboard with social media - blogs, facebook, twitter, flickr are all being used.
Or how about this project I came across from a couple of years back (http://www.canterburytrust.co.uk/thanearth.html) - regular updated web-page, good coverage in local media, local metal detecting clubs being engaged in the archaeological process, hands-on visits for YAC groups, visits to local schools and object handling sessions, schools visiting the site, public talks, public open-days and site tours, information leaflet (http://www.canterburytrust.co.uk/PDF/webversion.pdf) and lots of pictures and videos on the web-site. Quote from the above about getting school children onto an active archaeological/construction site - "Logistics are challenging ... but interesting" - true, but surely worth it and to be applauded.
Troll is totally right - we need to do more, but it can be done and the results are worth while.