IfA to be abolished and replaced by......

[Marc Berger]

I am with you on that Wax. I would say that unfortunately the denigration of degree covers the fact that there are no accredited degrees for field based archaeology. As archexile said a little while ago

I think the key is that the degree is in general an arts based degree in a subject, in which most people traditionally did not become archaeologists, just as most people who do history or english language don't necessarily become jobbing historians, etc. The universities are generally guilty of misrepresenting their qualifications and being vast money making machines. Recent graduates have to do far more to be qualified to work in the profession and the only way to get this is to volunteer over the Summer, though many don't get this and expect to walk straight into a position. Of course degrees are expensive now, so how can afford to volunteer over the Summer! Though thats anothe can of worms!

In reply to kev

would be interested to hear any suggestions as to how that situation could be remedied.....

The real problem could be that the ifa might be hard pushed to find a course that it would credit. The issues often motted on this forum like

One of my colleagues who just started and who has two degrees, had never compared soil colour ect by placing wee bits of soil in their hand.

might only be solved if the courses were science based and subsequently the A level base more science orientated.