standards anyone?

[P Prentice]

Good to know you're paranoid as well :face-approve:

as well as you, or, as well as anyone else?

[Jack]

So in reality the only archaeology actually monitored in Britain is that which is a direct result of development control?

Yep and there is the rub!

And Dino, yes far too serious for my liking!

[P Prentice]

So in reality the only archaeology actually monitored in Britain is that which is a direct result of development control? You would have thought that before we thought about internal standards we ought be thinking about a robust monitoring system for all archaeology. I had presumed that by agreeing to Valletta this country had signed up to international standards. it would be nice to think that part of the County Archaeologists role was to have the over view of all the archaeology that went on in his/her county it would also be common courtesy for academics and amateurs to at least keep the county archaeologist informed of what they're doing. Seems to me we need some joined up thinking across the board especially if as some people believe we are seeing the demise of development led archaeology.

i think you will find that many academics and amateur groups are in constant touch with the county archaeologist whilst working in their areas. although not necessarily monitoring in the same way as they do with development control, it is still possible to affect the quality of work undertaken, advise on local research agendas and even contribute to the research design. this is how it was before ppg16 and will no doubt be with nppf

[Wax]

Many but not all academic and amateur groups do work with the county archaeology service but it is a curtsey not a requirement. I work in a county where the relationships are good but still not as good as they should be. I would like to see mandatory monitoring of all excavations how else are we to maintain standards? Gentlemen's agreements are notorious for falling apart. Professional, academic and amateur should all work to the same standards.

Of course in the current political climate we will be luck to have any kind of county service left so I suppose we can look to forward the good old days of pre PPG returning. (that was meant sarcastically)

[P Prentice]

Many but not all academic and amateur groups do work with the county archaeology service but it is a curtsey not a requirement. I work in a county where the relationships are good but still not as good as they should be. I would like to see mandatory monitoring of all excavations how else are we to maintain standards? Gentlemen's agreements are notorious for falling apart. Professional, academic and amateur should all work to the same standards.

but many academic and amateur excavations far exceed anything that can be done on commercial, budget driven, sites. are you saying we should all raise our standards to an equivallent level?

[Wax]

There is good and bad archaeology in all camps we need a bench mark to set standards for all excavation. I have seen awful amateur professional and academic archaeology as well as fantastic projects in all branches. Yes let's raise the standards as high as we can. But of course that ain't going to happen in the real world is it.

[Dinosaur]

but many academic and amateur excavations far exceed anything that can be done on commercial, budget driven, sites. are you saying we should all raise our standards to an equivallent level?

Have you been on any university training digs recently? People who have only ever gone on site for 3 weeks each year inflicting the same on the poor next generation....no wonder we usually have to start again pretty much from scratch.....

....and paranoia on here tends to run to people responding insultingly to posts for which there is no evidence that they were addressed to them in the first place.....still waiting for Unit's contribution though....

[troll]

Evenin all.

I think we can (probably for the first time ever!) agree on one thing: the current level of professional standards in archaeology as an industry is at best variable and at worst, piss poor. There is in my view, little point in apportioning blame simply because we are all responsible. Interpret that as you will. We still operate in an environment where professional standards are optional and where cultural heritage survives with its head barely above water in a planning guidance framework. Pseudo-legislation that is held up as adequate by many is simply ambiguous and open to often wild interpretation. In my view, tangible change will only ever come about when cultural heritage is enshrined in British Statute Law in clear and unambiguous terms. Professionals involved in the industry can then be held to account. Existing systems of checks and balances can work well but have a habit of being woefully stretched. If its professional standards for a modern profession that you guys are arguing for then first and foremost.....accept that professionalism starts with every single one of us. Follow that up with a concerted effort to lobby those in a position to table Bills before Parliament and we are on our way. Simples. The public and their MPs will find it difficult to stand behind us if we spend most of our free time demonising each other. There`s plenty of pent-up drive on here but even after a decade of open discussion (thanks to Mister Hosty!) on here, we are all still going around in pointless circles. There`s much to change............stop bitchin and get busy!

[monty]

*********************************************censored****by monty********************************************************

[BAJR]

This is now a public warning Monty. ___ Stop it. You are showing a remarkable amount of disrespect. I know you are better than that.