16th August 2010, 11:34 PM
I don't think I'm better than anyone? The only real thing I've learnt from digging is how little I know! But surely archaeology is a finite resource, once a site is gone its gone. We only get one chance to do a good job. I know its not fighting cancer or saving the world from alien hordes but I do think if we're going to do it then we need to do the best job we can! And too do that we have to make sure we put ourselves in the best position to succeed by removing the things that are currently allowing quality to drop. I know its a sickening thing to say (And I can already hear the groans) but our past is everyones past, what right do we have to decide what can be trashed, which periods are more important than others? I have no issues with anyone digging... commercial, research, volunteer or metal detectorists as long as they do the best job they can, display the finds, and disceminate the knowledge. Is this too much to ask for?