14th September 2011, 09:26 PM
Wax Wrote:I am even beginning to wonder if there is a deliberate campaign to try and show archaeology and heritage as an expensive luxury holding back much needed development. (for the first time in my life I am beginning to believe in Government conspiracies). Rather than defend the archaeology perhaps we should question the need for such "White elephant" developments.
I'm also beginning to wonder whether recent stories of this type may be part of a larger trend to try to discredit archaeology. However, if the aim is to show that archaeology is holding back development, this is perhaps not the best site to use as an example. The presence of archaeology on the site demonstrably didn't stop the development, and it's not being suggested that the cost of dealing with archaeology is the reason why the industrial park stands empty. Indeed, as trowelfodder said, the reason for dealing with all the archaeology up front was specifically to try to make it more attractive to potential businesses, so that the seller would be able to flog the plots with a guarantee that there'd be no additional archaeological costs.
You know Marcus. He once got lost in his own museum