10th November 2011, 11:36 PM
Quote:What we do not need or want is archaeology to become the sole preserve of the commercial unit or — just as frightening — carried out by a detached academic clique. Archaeology needs to be truly inclusive and non-elitist, for does it not deal with the fundamentals of who we all are? If we accept that society as a whole obtains clear benefits from the pursuit of knowledge, why is it that we have a desire to prevent the public from taking part in all but the most corralled of circumstances?
To quote myself, which is quite weird!
And in that I truely believe, we don't have to be one OR the other, there is no (or should be no, THEM and US. I believe in the professional... I also believe in teh weekend Warrior. Over the past 6 months over 600 people (yes really!! perhaps more) have been involved in projects I have directed. they did not detract from my commercial head (I have this desire to eat) but they did enhance not only the projects but my own enjoyment (yes.. read it and weep... enjoyment)
In this 600 people there has been a range from dementia sufferers - schoolkids, people with mental isues, alcohol issues, students and old folk, young people and dads bonding with kids, middle class, poor, rich, workers and single mums. At the end of the day I did not care... but it was in addition to the professional job, sometimes it was even the processional job.
The concept is not to stride apart, even if you have the last word, but to work together as my article said. Don't say one group is 'better' or deserves more or should do this or that... but don't also suggest that somehow an amateur is able to carry out the work of a professional over an an extended but time limited project. I love doing (and I hate the word amateur.. because they are often anything but) non-commercial projects as I am not so pressed by schedules and deadlines.
A wedge is the last thing we need... support please.. I am an archaeologist... a professional one
