5th May 2011, 01:34 PM
I notice, with some sadness, that we are once more restricted to the same voices on pretty much every thread. This is highly indicative of the malaise of rampant inaction that flows through the profession.
Archaeology started its downward spiral in public perception just after Lord Caernarvon closed the door of king Tuts morgue. We have never regained that glory since, OK Sutton Hoo got close, but it has never been sustained. The reality is people are not educated to value archaeology or even their past nowadays. I grew up in the last wave of the Past being taught as important to know. I had inspired history teachers in a small village in deepest Gloucestershire, I moved to a larger town school where my past was no longer considered important, but just as another subject. Archaeology is one of the few subjects that can be referred to in every other subject taught. Is it? Is it hellers like!
We need to get the profile of our subject up higher yes, but we also need it to be treated with some respect and our 'discoveries' used at schools and colleges across the curriculum. Dream on, I know!
Archaeology started its downward spiral in public perception just after Lord Caernarvon closed the door of king Tuts morgue. We have never regained that glory since, OK Sutton Hoo got close, but it has never been sustained. The reality is people are not educated to value archaeology or even their past nowadays. I grew up in the last wave of the Past being taught as important to know. I had inspired history teachers in a small village in deepest Gloucestershire, I moved to a larger town school where my past was no longer considered important, but just as another subject. Archaeology is one of the few subjects that can be referred to in every other subject taught. Is it? Is it hellers like!
We need to get the profile of our subject up higher yes, but we also need it to be treated with some respect and our 'discoveries' used at schools and colleges across the curriculum. Dream on, I know!