1st August 2013, 06:28 AM
My uneducated view: There is a huge public interest, and rightly so, in our shared past - I've seen that first hand in community/volunteer projects I've been involved in, and free online courses that are becoming more prevalent. There is little political will to actively support 'the heritage industry' (for want of a better term) because it doesn't fit with the mantra of profit before everything else. Engaging the public in commercial archaeology, even if it's to a small extent, is not only a good thing in it's own right but will help keep up political pressure to safeguard what we do and love. Let's face it - how many archaeologists and how much archaeology would suffer if planning laws were relaxed 'to boost the economy'?
Oh, and to have a go at someone with obvious skill in research - you don't get a PhD by just digging holes - for doing some research seems a little odd.
Oh, and to have a go at someone with obvious skill in research - you don't get a PhD by just digging holes - for doing some research seems a little odd.