sharing information? or not?

[celticchris]

Hi,
as a responsible hobby detectorist, who is interested in learning/researching sites and history I was wondering if people would comment on the following:

As detectorists are being bought to task on submitting to PAS/central databases to improve knowledge / allow for further research etc, I was wondering if the same holds true for those who practice achaeology on a private, 'hobby' basis ?
- if so, where is this data published/who has access etc?

This is not intended to be a hostile post (archaeologists please note!) rather,just a comparison, asked not out of malice, just curiosity

Personnally speaking, I record all finds from a site (including the 'junk') and plot everything using GPS to provide NGR figures
All this data is plotted on electronic maps which are then printed and sent to landowner as useful info - this data is also made available to FLO / local museums

[BAJR Host]

Thanks for that post there... A truely valid point.

This is one of the things that BAJR is in fact in the process of dealing with...

on the ADS you can find what is called Grey Literature,
http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/library/greylit/ and this information on sites can be found also in every Sites and Monuments record in every county (talk to either your SMR / HER officer or County Archaeolgoist for details on these.

I am hoping to put forward a bid, where every report and publication, survey and excavation can be catalougued in a central database, that could be searched... So instead of Grey Literature, think of it more as Earl Grey literature.. [:0]

I hold by the premise that information is only of use if other people know about it, and can make use of it to further our understanding of the past.... AND... the 'nice' thing about archaeology was that anyone could get involved... something which we have lost a bit just now... (see Volly thread)

Of course in Scotland you have the fabulous Discovery and Excavation - so we have already sorted the problem.... come on Engerland....keep up ;) http://www.scottisharchaeology.org.uk/about/publications.html , such as this sample entry here
http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/arch/quoygrew/reports/Summary_2005.pdf which is required for every pice of archaeology work in Scotland... whether Museum, COntractor, Amatuer or other... you get a good ammount of basc info, nd also know who/where to go for the complete report.



Another day another WSI…

[celticchris]

an excellent reply and very encouraging - how come Scotland have it all sussed already(?)
I agree entirely that "information is only of use if other people know about it, and can make use of it to further our understanding of the past"
Now, if and when this system is put forward, this, together with the PAS would provide a huge resource for both archaeologists /detectorists and historians(to name a few interested parties) but how do we keep it safe? I mean safe in terms of patrolling against people (i deliberately choose not to name any)who would use it to search for items for their own financial gain) or do we think this is un-acheivable?

[monitor lizard]

Sitting down here in the SE of Engerland, I have two very active local societies in my area, both of which engage in field work. They both produce reports following on from their work (which are available for public consultation), and also submit forms to the Sites and Monuments Record for inclusion in the data base. On bigger sites they will submit project designs prior to the commencement of the projects. They also work closely with their local museums.

This is a very responsible attitude, one which would be analogous to that which you describe. It can work!

cheers

ML

[celticchris]

again, a very good and interesting reply, in general then, would I be correct in saying the majority of archaeologists (whether amateur or pro) do submit work to 'official' bodies for the benefit of others? - and that this is done voluntarily?
If this is the case, and detectorists like myself also submit data, where is the cause of all the aggravation and accusations etc between certain individuals on both sides?
I think I'm missing something here, but I'm not sure what?!
surely if we have so much in common ie wishing to preserve and learn from the past, where does all the animosity come from?

[monitor lizard]

quote: Originally posted by celticchris
would I be correct in saying the majority of archaeologists (whether amateur or pro) do submit work to 'official' bodies for the benefit of others? - and that this is done voluntarily?

Technically the pros working on a development site are obliged to do this through their planning conditions, so they must submit reports and SMR data. But it is certainly best practice for anyone engaged in an archaeological exercise, at whatever level. Again I would see this as being analogous to the PAS.


quote:If this is the case, and detectorists like myself also submit data, where is the cause of all the aggravation and accusations etc between certain individuals on both sides?

Ah well...I suspect that even trying to answer that would be rather foolhardy....I will mull and see if I can come up with a nice, bland, middle of the road response!

ML

[BAJR Host]

Its like the Discovery in Excavation - it is semi voluntary, with us curators writing it in to requirements, but amatuers do it for the 'greater good' .. everyone pays 30 quid for an entry, so it is self funding...

I jsut keep prodding Robin Turner (the National trust for Scotland Head Archaeologist and good egg) to make it available as a searchable online database...

and you are right Celtic... there really is no reason for arguement... if you ask the Scottish detectorists, they don't seem to be to crushed by a system that is even more "proscriptive" than England. - They adopt a sensible approach I thick... and I don't think SARG or the SDC would mind me saying that

Another day another WSI…

[celticchris]

i find all this quite fascinating, the views on some forums for detectorists are quite different to the views expressed here, and I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised by the openness of views expressed, and the way they in which they have been expressed. I was led to believe through some detectorists that i should expect a rough ride when entering this forum as it was very anti detecting, and that some members in particular were antagonistic. It's a shame I listened to them, i feel i should have joined this forum a long time ago!

[BAJR Host]

Thanks for joining now though... there are of course the few that are antagonistic on any forum (I know only too well) but in general, we are all about sharing the same thing.

Tell people that we ain't that bad

:D



Another day another WSI…