DigVentures

[CARTOON REALITY]

Dagobah - best wetland archaeology in the universe and you don't have to worry about community involvement because there's only Yoda.

[DigVentures]

Thanks, Oxbeast, for pointing out the rather obvious solution of actually speaking to us in order to find out what we are planning. We were expecting to hear all of the opinions that I've just read on this thread, so we're really not surprised - and we are also totally prepared, and willing, and happy, to speak to anyone who wants to raise things like this with us directly - especially archaeologists. We're not 'sidestepping' anything - but we are attempting to break free from the way things have always been done in order to get something accomplished. We cannot rely on traditional funding models or ways of doing things anymore - can we all at least agree on that?

Cllr Alan Melton is squarely in our sights. We are well aware that we are on his patch and we will be sure that he hears and understands the message about the importance of archaeology. We are hoping to score one for the bunnyhuggers with this project. And our field school prices are in line with most of the other equivalent experiences out there - plus we have a lot of things planned (which you can see on the website) to make sure that everyone gets value for their money - down to the last penny. There will be loads of local engagement, loads of opportunities for students, and loads of dissemination afterwards - including publishing the site report in a timely fashion, which will make a nice change again from the way things are generally done now. And yes - this is the first of many projects, we hope. This model is not going to go away, and could potentially be very useful for archaeology. And as already identified in this thread - it isn't that different to the way things are already done.

Whilst we were expecting to have to do a lot of explaining about this project...I can't help but be surprised and disappointed by the tone on this thread. You all make yourselves sound like a bunch of sour old dogs who won't even give us the benefit of the doubt before you decide we're crap and not capable of digging this site properly. If that were true, how on earth have we gotten the required permissions to dig there, then?

[BAJR]

And can I add - before people get all huffy.

Just stop and think a moment. What are you arguing against? What are the options? What would you prefer to be the rallying cry// Archaeologists demand that Flag Fen closes, that the archaeology dries out and is lost!

Sounds different when you put it that way.

Before kicking the project before it starts, give it a chance, and you may be pleasantly surprised. and of course - try the talking to method.

As you can see, I am quite behind this - and do despair at the negativity that archaeologists are capable of - If I hd not done things that were different, then I would not be where I am.

I do think there are a few things I would comment on - I always worry about specific uses of language for example - having seen it first hand in other places. But the words on my lips are

WHY NOT... SERIOUSLY. WHY NOT?

:face-huh:

[DigVentures]

You deleted my last line, Mr BAJR. I didn't know you were a pacifist . Can you bring me a cup of coffee and a nurofen too? Thanks.

[tom wilson]

Hello DigVentures, thanks for coming online to engage in a bit of debate. I have a couple of questions for you.

First, who are you? I presume you speak for the DigVentures enterprise, but who actually are *you*?

We cannot rely on traditional funding models or ways of doing things anymore - can we all at least agree on that?

No, I don't think we can. It depends what you mean by 'things', of course (of which, more below), but the polluter pays principle is still in place where adverse impacts to the historic environment are caused by development. Some of the reservations expressed by others in this thread regarding the Big Society agenda are perfectly reasonable, and deserve an answer from you if you expect to win people over. We don't want the Councillor Meltons of this world deciding that archaeology can and should be carried out by volunteers in all cases (i.e. including development impacts). How do you define your project as different to others where volunteers shouldn't be used? ...or do you think that volunteers *should* be used for all sites?

Whilst we were expecting to have to do a lot of explaining about this project...I can't help but be surprised and disappointed by the tone on this thread. You all make yourselves sound like a bunch of sour old dogs...

Really? You expected to use this site as free advertising, call yourselves the best archaeologists in the world and not get so much as a sideways glance? OK then, but defensiveness isn't going to help you; what we need is open dialogue. To which end: my main question:

Why are you doing this? Is the site threatened? Otherwise, given its apparent importance surely that other old principle, preservation in situ, would apply. Do you have a justification based on community archaeology, wider research priorities etc. that over-ride pres. in situ.? If so, it would help your PR to make it known.

Please don't assume I'm picking a fight; on the contrary, I am asking you to enter into a constructive debate that will justify your efforts.

Cheers,

Tom

[diggingthedirt]

Hi Tom, I am project director for the DigVentures Flag Fen Lives project. All of these are fair questions, so thanks for asking. We are all at the CALive conference at Senate House in London all day - if anyone wants to meet us to discuss anything related to the project or the model (or questions such as Tom's) please please please come along and speak to us. Give me a couple of hours or so and I'll post up some direct answers here too. Oh also - if you want to know who we are go to the about section of the website.

All the best,

Diggingthedirt

[BAJR]

Just to help people: here are the links

http://digventures.com/about-us/

and for Staff:

http://digventures.com/about-us/staff/


It would be useful (for those of us sadly not in Londonshire) if people put forward sensible questions and comments
as Tom has done and the they are answered as quietly and succinctly as can be - with an aim to make it better not to knock it down.

No steel toe caps allowed. they will be removed at the door. This is a discussion not a court.

[kevin wooldridge]

Ok My questions are: Are you registered with the FSA for the 'crowdfunding' asspect of the project and if so why have you not made this clear on the website (i.e 'registered with the FSA')? Are you honestly describing yourselves amongst 'the best archaeologists in the world'?

[Dinosaur]

Are you honestly describing yourselves amongst 'the best archaeologists in the world'?

Perhaps not the brightest way of getting the rest of the archaeological community on-board? - or was there a competition I missed?

[chiz]

I haven't looked into the project in any detail so won't comment on any of that, but I do hope they are paying their staff -all their staff- proper wages!