9th November 2011, 07:16 PM
Wow - where to start!
I would argue with most of the points raised in this article!
Firstly I would strongly dispute that
Funding for archaeology departments is under threat with the number of funded places for postgraduate study slashed and as a professional archaeologist in my experience the amount of work has seen a steady decline and it is heartbreaking to see whole university year groups of bright and enthusiastic archaeology graduates unable to find work and dropping out of the profession before even finding thier first job. And English Heritage are facing massive cuts in staffing with redundancies looming for many who have years of experience and knowledge that will be drained from the system
It seems to me that this article has as much to do with class as anything else - why should archaeology be for the masses and for deprived areas or god forbid children!!! Let those who can pay do the work. This attitude is appalling - archaeology has a place for all and archaeologists working with community groups often give time and experience for free, and I firmly believe that all excavation should be carried out under the supervision of proffessional archaeologists. Simply watching time team or following the basic instructions in a basic field manual is no substitute for experience. Amaturs do have a role but it is most definately not in the commercial sector.
This is perhaps best exemplified by the statement that
And as for the barricades - does that not have far more to do with regulations about excavation of human remains. Most units i have worked for are more than happy to answer any questions from the public and many run open days or site talks.
And of course people who work for free will be cheaper but it does not represent a sustainable model for excavation
right rant over
!!!!
I would argue with most of the points raised in this article!
Firstly I would strongly dispute that
Quote:Professional and academic archaeology are both doing well" and " The big governmental or semi-governmental bodies such as English Heritage and the National Trust are also flourishing".
Funding for archaeology departments is under threat with the number of funded places for postgraduate study slashed and as a professional archaeologist in my experience the amount of work has seen a steady decline and it is heartbreaking to see whole university year groups of bright and enthusiastic archaeology graduates unable to find work and dropping out of the profession before even finding thier first job. And English Heritage are facing massive cuts in staffing with redundancies looming for many who have years of experience and knowledge that will be drained from the system
It seems to me that this article has as much to do with class as anything else - why should archaeology be for the masses and for deprived areas or god forbid children!!! Let those who can pay do the work. This attitude is appalling - archaeology has a place for all and archaeologists working with community groups often give time and experience for free, and I firmly believe that all excavation should be carried out under the supervision of proffessional archaeologists. Simply watching time team or following the basic instructions in a basic field manual is no substitute for experience. Amaturs do have a role but it is most definately not in the commercial sector.
This is perhaps best exemplified by the statement that
Quote:Firstly, in churches, the Diocesan Advisory Committees should be expected to work in closest collaboration with local archaeological societies. If minor work needs to be carried out, the local society should be given the first option. When professional archaeologists are called in, they tend immediately to put barricades round the site so no-one can see what is happening, and that is not the point of archaeology at all. Far better to have the work done by the local societies who are, after all, part of the community – and who are far, far cheaper than professional archaeologists.Why would the local society be given first option? What expertise do they have that makes them better placed to conduct the work! And as was previously stated the societies are not happy about having to publish detailed work
And as for the barricades - does that not have far more to do with regulations about excavation of human remains. Most units i have worked for are more than happy to answer any questions from the public and many run open days or site talks.
And of course people who work for free will be cheaper but it does not represent a sustainable model for excavation
right rant over
!!!!