9th November 2013, 08:59 AM
(This post was last modified: 9th November 2013, 09:03 AM by kevin wooldridge.)
Tool: The IfA is pretty much the 'Marmite' challenge to many archaeologists - you either love it or hate it. No kind of rationality explains the phenomena. That isn't just the case since 1990 (generally considered the jump off point for 'commercial' archaeology in the UK), people were saying the same about the IfA way back in 1982 when it all began. I think you are right that the 'No' camp at the moment is largely concentrated in the lower reaches of the commercial archaeology field, but its not because of commercial archaeology per se. The make-up of the IfA ruling council at the moment shows that the majority of its members are engaged in 'commercial' archaeology....
....its probably therefore a 'class' thing - the IfA are considered the Vitamin B 'bourgeoise' and the dispossessed feel a little aggrieved that they might be forced into spreading Marmite on their scraps of stale toast....no amount of trying to convince the underclass of the benefits of IfA Marmite will ever work....even the Diggers Forum comes in for criticism as being 'Marmite-lite'.....Vegimite perhaps!!
...the endgame however is that the IfA will press ahead with their campaign for Chartership and once achieved that will no doubt have an effect on everyone involved in archaeology, especially those involved professionally. As a result I am sure the die-hard opponents of IfA will become even more deeply ingrained, but hindered by the fact that 30 years of opposition has failed to coalesce into an effective alternative. And therein lies the essential truth of the IfA dichotomy, it may not be perfect but it's the only vitamin enriched breakfast spread on the table and Chartership will only further strengthen that position!!
Hope I haven't pushed the Marmite analogy too far...but it does seem an appropriate metaphor. I know lots of competent archaeologists who are pro-IfA and lots of competent archaeologists who dismiss it completely. No rationality whatsoever...most of them are still friends though. I'd be more worried if an archaeological friend told me they had joined the Conservative Party......
....its probably therefore a 'class' thing - the IfA are considered the Vitamin B 'bourgeoise' and the dispossessed feel a little aggrieved that they might be forced into spreading Marmite on their scraps of stale toast....no amount of trying to convince the underclass of the benefits of IfA Marmite will ever work....even the Diggers Forum comes in for criticism as being 'Marmite-lite'.....Vegimite perhaps!!
...the endgame however is that the IfA will press ahead with their campaign for Chartership and once achieved that will no doubt have an effect on everyone involved in archaeology, especially those involved professionally. As a result I am sure the die-hard opponents of IfA will become even more deeply ingrained, but hindered by the fact that 30 years of opposition has failed to coalesce into an effective alternative. And therein lies the essential truth of the IfA dichotomy, it may not be perfect but it's the only vitamin enriched breakfast spread on the table and Chartership will only further strengthen that position!!
Hope I haven't pushed the Marmite analogy too far...but it does seem an appropriate metaphor. I know lots of competent archaeologists who are pro-IfA and lots of competent archaeologists who dismiss it completely. No rationality whatsoever...most of them are still friends though. I'd be more worried if an archaeological friend told me they had joined the Conservative Party......
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...