10th February 2009, 12:09 AM
To be honest I think its still far too early to start chopping up the industry.
There is still alot of data to come in, from alot of different areas, that aren't even vaguely broached by the professional study.
Firstly, it's an 'Institute For Archaeologists'.
If we think this is it, then we are really looking at it as though we are ring fencing off archaeological jobs from everyone without.
We can't accuse EH or LG jobs being taken before interveiw, if we aren't even thinking that we are doing the same thing.
We are just doing it on a larger scale, instead of a post, by post basis.
If we are going to voice 'the slow down', or 'shut down', shouldn't we really say 'the slow shut out'?
IFA Mission Statement
'The IfA exists to advance the practice of archaeology and allied disciplines by promoting professional standards and ethics for conserving, managing, understanding and promoting enjoyment of heritage.'
Secondly, what about the archaeologists working abroad, who lived and worked here? The archaeologists that were forced to look for work outside of the UK and have continued to practice discipline abroad.
Thirdly, the IFA aside:
Welcome to the professional world of shutting down 'educational academic interest' and emphasising 'skilled' manual labour (only archaeologists need apply).
Fourth, what about the graduates who will not be able to stay in the job, if they got one in the first place?
They're not even off the starting block here.
Come on, there are more of us than we are thinking there are.
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Mike