28th March 2014, 04:19 PM
There is nothing to stop anyone having aspirations to work with archaeological material/data. Whether they do that as a paid job is another matter, but in a sense it is irrelevant. Access is everything. Its also very useful that those who aspire to paid work but are unable to do so, can still maintain a hands-on interest in the subject. 'Independent Archaeology' seems to me to be a political organisation rather than a subject interest group, but they don't bother me too much and I don't bother them. I don't think the government have an opinion one way or another on archaeology as a subject, although of course they will express concern with regard to any group seeking to 'impede' development, be that archaeologists, environmentalists etc etc .....Chartered status confers official recognition on the IfA as the arbiter of archaeological standards in the UK. Some people like that idea, some don't.
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...