3rd August 2013, 08:17 AM
Unitof1 Wrote:I don't believe that there is a vast number of the public who are interested in the past or by what significance the interest of those that do is. Yes its not very interesting is it.I can only go on what I've seen. The community projects I've been involved with have had a huge following, and volunteer opportunities tend to be oversubscribed. I'm loathed to mention it, but look at the popularity of Time Team. It's surprising how many people are interested in the past, even if they don't immediately associate it with archaeology. The number who look into their genealogy, want to know the history of their local rugby or football club, visit the local hill fort for a wander, love to look at the old photos on the pub wall... As to the significance, well the ability to play football isn't being constantly eroded by both natural and human actions. The information in the ground that helps us understand who we are, why we are, where we came from etc. is. So I believe the state does have a duty to help protect/record that information. But lets face it, this is about commercial archaeology, not state-funded.