CBA Community Archaeology Report

[Unitof1]

[SIZE=3]I had a BBC historian helping on the research (handy for 15th and 16th century records...) an eminant ceramic specialist, a local group who could carry out geophysics,, etc etc... I had friends who were willing to give time, in order to have... wait for it... an enjoyable time with people who wanted you there, who were always raring to go and welcomed you... I enjoy and enyed it... never said I make a living out of it..

[/SIZE]

I very sorry that you feel that this has got personal. It was never my intention (I have tried to single out any of the CBA examples)but it is a personal aspect of archaeology that I am trying to get at or if you like being a member of a professional association (if only it was for field workers). I believe that archaeology should be undertaken by professional people and that amateurs and voulleneterrs undermine professional credibility and to put it crudely what we get paid and what we can charge. To my mind the most vulnerable aspect of archaeology is field archaeology which can easily be demeaned as the physical retrieval of information and something that can be undertaken by labourers (maybe it can but may be only under professional direction in exceptional circumstances). Possibly I would not be so against ?community archaeology? if as it seems in your above justifications it had been made clear that it was the bajr excavation and that your name was put as the author and authority on quality rather than a lottery logo and the impression given that the community had spontaneously got together to generate a love in based around archaeology
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[BAJR]

now here i can agree with you that at the end of the day it is the arcgaeology that is important ... as it is unique and irreplacable. and that must happen. there should be a minimum standard. as to having my name on it... it is a collaborative result so i dont mind not being the author... though not hard to find from the DES entry a compulsory requirement in scotland.

lottery logo or developer logo... same difference.... they provide the funding... they get the logo.

have you ever been on or seen a com arch project? or is this all assumption. serious question

[Admiral]

Unit, I happen to now work for one of the organisations on the CBA list (yes, HLF funded), after having worked 10 years plus for units and as a freelancer in the commercial field. All my colleagues also have commercial experience. Also many ex-colleagues and friends who still work in the commercial field have been happy to give up some of their free time (unpaid bar a couple of pints) to come down and help out with the volunteers.

Our work is non-invasive (revolving around recording and surveying), so we're not taking any work away from professional field archaeologists- funny, until I read your stuff I still considered myself one. The volunteers range from retired people or those with jobs outside archaeology, who just want a nice interesting hobby, to a number of undergraduates who wish to join the profession and are really keen to learn as much as they can and get as much experience before they enter the (not exactly bountiful) job market. We are trying to work to the highest standards that I would have expected when running a commercial site, with the advantages that a. there's no time pressure, b. no consultant/developer giving you grief about cost/freeing up an area etc. So no need for that final 'Oh S**t, let's just hammer through the last couple of days and try and get what we can get' scenario. Of course, for the undergrads I think the driving school analogy posted ages ago on this thread is right- they'll only start to really learn when they're out there doing it day in-day out. But, surely anything we can do beforehand must help a little, if only by telling them what to expect?

Oh yes, and as part of our remit we have to and will publish

As for the difference in standards between pros and ams, it depends who they are:

Past experience #1: Running a site next to one done 10 years before by an Am group. They hadn't published anything but gave me their site notes which were pretty dire and not much use. Oh dear, not a happy Admiral.

Past experience #2: Working on a site which had been evaluated by an RAO who claimed nothing was there in the report. Not only was there a huge Saxon aisled barn, but some of its (c.1m dia) post holes (full of pot) had actually been half-sectioned and backfilled!!!! Absolutely ******* furious Admiral.

I can't speak for all, but there are some good CA projects; while we all know of unscrupulous consultants, managers or inexperienced supervisors promoted too early in the commercial sector.

If well run CA projects can help train future diggers for free, while allowing the interested public (without whom, let us remember, there would have been no Globe theatre/Baynards Castle etc. outrage, which led to PPG16 and commercial archaeology as we know it, ie. your job) to get involved that can surely only be a good thing?

[BAJR]

If well run CA projects can help train future diggers for free, while allowing the interested public (without whom, let us remember, there would have been no Globe theatre/Baynards Castle etc. outrage, which led to PPG16 and commercial archaeology as we know it, ie. your job) to get involved that can surely only be a good thing?

And thats the way I see it too. many thanks Admiral for that post. it just about sums it up in a nutshell.

:face-approve:

[Wax]

Hi Guys
After many years lurking I have at last joined the forum

The debate on community archaeology has drawn my head above the parapet.

I can see both sides of the debate but believe totally that unless the public (who ultimately pay our wages one way or another) value their heritage there is no future for us as a profession, so whatever the wrongs and rights community archaeology is a must.

I learnt enough on volunteer projects to be able to make the life changing choice to become a professional archaeologist. And despite everything have not regretted it.

Once I was doing it for a living I gained an ever increasing respect for the individuals in the profession who fight to maintain high standards in the face of poor pay and little respect.

I am all for community archaeology but under the direction and supervision of the professionals who can ensure the maintaince of high standards not least of which is the application of appropriate health and safety.

And getting back to one of the original themes of this thread, there is a need for well qualified suitably trained community archaeologists.

What do you think are the key attributes of a good community archaeologist?:face-thinks:

WAX

[BAJR]

Good answer and good first post.

Patience, understanding, and ability to go at a pace that suits the everyone and ensuring everyone has a role. (even if that is somebody making sure the tea, coffees and biccies are ready for everyone) Willing to take the time to explain and having a good overall knowedge of both archaeology and of the local area and the archaeology/history there. Being able to have contacts and to know when and where to stop and have a clear idea of the aims. Use the skills from commercial and not keep the pushing requirements. Know that the local idea of their past may not match the reality and be able to cope with it. Be open to all and help join all ages and all abilities together .. to spot talent and support it and still keep positive when all is going wrong. HEalth and Safety.. be strict but not a fascist. ! ( for a brief H&S docuemnt for community digs... try here http://www.scribd.com/full/24518346?acce...pjc96nkuw2 )

What about others...?

[BAJR]

Oh... and don't forget this one

http://www.scribd.com/full/17523160?acce...l08x7fk5b2

How to get invovled. a good document for all those wanting to get into archaeology

[Wax]

Skills needed by a CA ranked in no particular order except number 1:

Personal qualities

1)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Sense of humour (absolutely vital!!):face-approve:
2)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Emotionally and mentally stable (you all know what I mean)
3)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Facilitator
4)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Firm but fair
5)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Ability to see things from the other guy’s point of view
6)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Enthusiasm for the subject
7)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Willingness to commit personal time (this is not a nine to five job)
8)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Must like people
9)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Imagination
10)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Unflappable
11)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Patience

Professional Qualities:

1)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Broad range of experience of different types of site
2)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Everything you would expect of a good project office
3)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Flexibility of approach
4)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Organised
5)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Some understanding of equal opportunities and what that really means
6)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Understanding of the issues involved working with volunteers of all ages and abilities ( I would include back ground knowledge of legal requirements, for working with vulnerable people and children
7)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Good knowledge of local archaeology
8)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Awareness of regional and national research agendas
9)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Awareness of heritage legislation including local policies (PPS 5?)
10)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Knowledge of sources of funding for projects
11)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Ability to recognise potential in others and delegate work
12)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT] Actively involved with local archaeology network including curators and commercial archaeologists working in the region
13)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Commitment to ensuring professional standards for excavation, recording, archiving and report production.
14)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]Ability to undertake risk assessment taking into account the varying abilities & needs of the different groups who may take part
15)[FONT=&quot] [/FONT] Able to manage and control budgets

I would hope that any community archaeologist is part of, or can call on, the resources of larger professional team, perhaps a county council a university or even a commercial unit.

So having identified the skills needed for the job where do I get the training? This I think brings us back to comarch’s questions about training.

Community archaeologists need specialist training but where do we go to get it.?:face-crying:
WAX

[Comarch]

I would hope that any community archaeologist is part of, or can call on, the resources of larger professional team, perhaps a county council a university or even a commercial unit.

So having identified the skills needed for the job where do I get the training? This I think brings us back to comarch’s questions about training.

Community archaeologists need specialist training but where do we go to get it.?:face-crying:
WAX[/QUOTE]

You can't, is the quick answer. Not at the moment. CBA are planning to set up training for CAs but when and how it is to be structured no one knows. This is a quote from the CAB on this subject - "We're currently waiting to hear from the HLF about whether an application to their Skills for the Future funding pot has been successful (we should hear in the next few weeks). If we have met with success, we should be planning the programme over the summer, and then allowing for recruitment of both a coordinator for the project and for the first year (of hopefully 3 years) of bursary holders, the training placements should start in early 2010". I am concerned that "training placements" will mean that only those who are still living off the 'Bank of Mum & Dad' will be able to move at short notice to placements and thus the demographics of CAs will be narrow i.e. young (little experience). We don't want career CAs who have no other experience, in archaeology or the wider world (like career politicians). I've seen some of those and it is like being shouted at by manic Scouts (whoop, isn't this great fun!) - aaargh. Its a matter of doing what you can and building up experience, mostly for nothing or small fees. We have to make our own work. Hopefully this will change and, as I have said before, this area of the profession will firm up and be central to archaeological practise in the 21st century. I feel on my own and with no support and still expected to work for nothing and that has to change for the sake of the public we are trying to serve. I have worked for County Councils and Units but only for short term projects and thus it is hard to build up a body of work over a long period.

[Austin Ainsworth]

Although I agree that there's no substitute for experience, the CBA bursary programme is a step in the right direction. Everybody has to start somewhere, even a cynical old site hack like myself had to start again and learn many new skills when I moved from the commercial sector to Community Heritage, being a good archaeologist is only part of the skillset required. The indications I've seen from the CBA suggest that that the training bursary holders will be placed with host organisations who can demonstrate significant experience in community archaeology/heritage so they will be guided by some of the best practitioners that the sector has to offer. There is also the Community Archaeology MA offered by Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincon http://www.bishopg.ac.uk/?_id=10513 to consider. One MA course and the CBA programme might not be an all-inclusive approach to CA but at least it's a start and something we can build on.