25th September 2013, 05:42 PM
OK, I'm going to have a little ramble here. But before I start, I'll say now that I would never suggest that every Tom, Dick and Harriet should go forth and dig willy-nilly. However much Willy might like it. No, every intrusive work should, of course, be appropriately planned, targeted and most importantly be justified by increasing our knowledge and understanding. And if a site (use whatever definition you like) can be understood whilst leaving some/most undisturbed, then it's a win-win. Also there just ain't enough people and money around to do justice to more than a small portion of what is buried out there. But...
Right, that's me rambled out. I look forward to the replies! :face-approve:
The above post may, or may not, be the opinion of the Tool.
- Preservation in situ isn't preservation. As mentioned before, even if we don't touch it, it is still degrading. And not all actions can be easily monitored, even if there are regular inspections. How would you know what the water table is doing in that area from a quick site visit?
- It's been said more than once that we're not the best archaeologists that will ever be, nor do we fully utilise all existing technologies. That will be the case at every single point in the future. Because there will always be a new technology on the horizon, a better technique being developed. And the best way to develop these techniques and technologies? By doing the job, assessing the shortcomings, and working with the sectors that may help us improve. So to wait for the time of perfect archaeology is a fools errand.
- Archaeology is about learning. Not about sitting on stuff. You can only learn by asking the questions and looking for the answers. Yes, this damages the stuff, but that's the deal - learn and damage, but record and publish. Isn't that what archaeology is? It's always going to be a pay-off. And as mentioned above, it is possible to learn from a site without totally obliterating it, and things like KAP, Google earth, LiDAR, geophys, dare I say it even metal detectorists all help on this front.
- Maybe a wee bit controversial, and possibly also a little tongue-in-cheek, what's the point of leaving interesting stuff in the ground when we can get in there and learn?
Right, that's me rambled out. I look forward to the replies! :face-approve:
The above post may, or may not, be the opinion of the Tool.