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Euro BAJR - Post-Med Potterer - 9th December 2005
This was suggested by BAJR Host on the 'muppet' thread in connection with Health and Safety.
A quick look through the first 10 pages of the members' list shows that there are 11 non-UK members of this forum based in other EU states. I urge you to ask not what your BAJR can do for you, but what you can do for your BAJR. Go out and recruit!
I think we have real potential collectively to change the face of archaeology in Europe. What do y'all think?
Ha ha, time for a pint ('tis Friday after all).
Euro BAJR - kevin wooldridge - 10th December 2005
If the number of job applications units appear to be receiving from archaeologists from 'new' EU nations, is anything to go by, I suspect there are a large number of European 'lurkers' out there. Far more than the 11 or so Euro-members of BAJR.
BAJR would be doing the whole of 'Euro-dig' a great service if it could encourage pan-European discussion amongst archaeologists. I for one will pass on details to Scandinavian 'archies' that Hanne and I know.
Perhaps Host could post a 'Welcome to BAJR' thread encouraging Euro-diggers to post regarding their archaeological experiences/aspirations. I guess one by-product could be that advertisers from other EU countries might be encouraged to advertise jobs and services on BAJR.
Another useful thread might be for non-UK nationals to seek advice if they think they are being treated less well than UK archaeologists (if that is possible!!).
Euro BAJR - BAJR Host - 10th December 2005
This is a good idea... and I will add this to the BAJR 2.0 website... due for launch in May. Next though a discussion area for Euro Archaeologists.. and I will also be opening up and revamping eh CVs Online to include other European Countries.
Time to get inclusive.
Another day another WSI?
Euro BAJR - Tim - 13th December 2005
What about us in non EU countries? We are in EFTA however.
Little Tim
Euro BAJR - Post-Med Potterer - 13th December 2005
The point about the EU was made in light of the original discussion on H&S. At the time I also referred to the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA), which of course is much more wide ranging in scope (geographically) and probably covers the EEA as well as the EU.
The EAA now is about where the IFA was 20 years ago and so a lot needs to happen before universally agreed detailed standards (especially on H&S) are put into action by that particular body. However I think the diplomatic pressure put on the IFA in the UK by BAJR is an inspiration for future lobbying with the EAA.
Sorry for all the acronyms, I just read this back to myself and it is probably incomprehensible outside this forum
.
Euro BAJR - Tim - 13th December 2005
From the EAA web site.
"Recognition of EAA by the
Council of Europe
In October 1999, the EAA was notified by the Directorate of Political Affairs of the Council of Europe, that we shall be given "consultative status" with the Council. A proposal to add the EAA to the list of non-governmental organisations (NGO's) with consultative status has been submitted by the Secretary General of the CoE to the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly.
The instrument of consultative status for
international non-governmental organisations was already created in 1952, to reinforce links between the CoE and international organisations that carry out work in the scientific, cultural, charitable, health and educational fields. It has been upgraded in recent years by a new convention.
In practice, such a status means that the EAA can address memoranda to the Secretary General, that we shall be invited to public sittings of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and that we participate in various meetings for NGO's that are organised by the Council on subjects relevant to us. In return, we are committed to supply information to the CoE about developments in European archaeology and to publicise its activities relevant to our field.
It is most important that the EAA will now be involved in a formal capacity in all activities at the Council of Europe which are in some way relevant to the archaeological heritage. Obvious activities that will fit into this, are our commitment to ratification and implementation of the Malta convention by all European states and the new working party on illicit trade in antiquities that was started in Bournemouth. In January 2000, the EAA has participated in a meeting in Strasbourg of all the organisations with consultative status. For the moment, Willem Willems (president) and Cecilia Aqvist (treasurer) will act as representatives for the EAA. Any questions or suggestions can be forwarded directly to them."
The EAA Principles of Conduct
-for archaeologists involved in contract archaeological work
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The following text was approved by the members of the Association at the Annual Business Meeting, held in Goteborg (Sweden) on 26 September 1998.
The membership of the EAA voted to approve and adopt a set of Principles of Conduct for archaeologists involved in contract archaeological work. These had been prepared by the EAA's Working Party on Commercial Archaeology, were aired at the Ravenna meeting in 1997, and were published in draft in The European Archaeologist 8 (Winter 1997). The draft principles were further discussed at a well attended and lively round table held at the G?teborg meeting.
The text that was approved by the membership is reproduced below. The Principles of Conduct help to define the standards of conduct expected of professional archaeologists in Europe.
Two important changes were made as a result of the discussions at G?teborg. First, the earlier phrase "commercial archaeological work" was replaced with "contract archaeological work." This reflects the view that archaeology is not, in the end, a commercial activity (even though it is often carried out under contracts, of various kinds). Secondly, a new principle (No 14) was added. This reflects the importance of promoting both the principles and the means to make them work in practice. The need for adequate regulation of contract archaeology (normally by state or municipal authorities, but with professional associations also having a crucial role to play) is especially important.
Note: many of these principles apply equally to all kinds of archaeological work, but this code deals especially with issues arising from a contract system of funding.
Archaeologists should ensure that they understand, and operate within, the legal framework within which the regulation of archaeological work takes place in that country.
Archaeologists should ensure that they give the best possible advice to developers and planners, and should not advise on matters beyond their knowledge or competence.
Archaeologists should ensure that they understand the structure of archaeological roles and responsibilities, the relationships between these roles, and their place in this structure.
Archaeologists should avoid conflicts of interest between the role of giving advice in a regulatory capacity and undertaking (or offering to undertake) work in a contract capacity.
Archaeologists should not offer to undertake contract work for which they or their organizations are not suitably equipped, staffed or experienced.
Archaeologists should maintain adequate project control systems (academic, financial, quality, time) in relation to the work which they are undertaking.
Archaeologists should adhere to recognized professional standards for archaeological work.
Archaeologists should adhere both to the relevant law and to ethical standards in the area of competition between archaeological organizations.
Archaeologists involved in contract archaeological work should ensure that the results of such work are properly completed and made publicly available.
Archaeologists involved in contract archaeological work should ensure that archaeological information is not suppressed unreasonably or indefinitely (by developers or by archaeological organizations) for commercial reasons.
Archaeologists involved in contract archaeological work should be conscious of the need to maintain the academic coherence of archaeology, in the face of a tendency towards fragmentation under a contract system of organization.
Archaeologists involved in managing contract archaeological work should be conscious of their responsibilities towards the pay, conditions of employment and training, and career development opportunities of archaeologists, in relation to the effects of competition between archaeological organizations on these aspects of life.
Archaeologists involved in contract archaeological work should recognize the need to demonstrate, to developers and to the public at large, the benefits of support for archaeological work.
Where contract archaeology exists, all archaeologists (especially in positions of influence) should promote the application of this code, and promote development of the means to make it work effectively, especially adequate systems of regulation.
The EAA Code of Practice for Fieldwork Training
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A Code of Practice for running field and other practical training courses.
John Collis
Archaeology is a very practical subject, and we all rely on the provision of practical training, mainly excavation and survey, but increasingly also laboratory work. This training is made available not only to students but also to members of the general public, and as a means of increasing the skills of professional archaeologists. As a profession we should obviously be aiming for the highest possible standards, but the experience of those attending such courses is not always happy, especially if participants are expected to pay sometimes considerable amounts of money for the experience. One common complaint is that students are merely treated as ?trowel fodder? to provide labour for the research interests of the director, with minimal provision made for training; staff may have limited experience or be plain incompetent, or simply not have thought through the problems which may occur (how to deal with accidents, providing the right level of training, etc.).
At the 2000 meeting of the EAA a group of us got together to lay down some guidelines on how we think practical training courses should be run, calling on the experience of people who had run numerous courses at university and other levels not only in Europe but also in America. Our hope is that people running practical training schemes will find the advice useful, and that they will adopt the standards and advertise their intention to adhere to the Code of Practice. This in turn will give participants a guaranteed level of standards (and mechanisms to complain if they are not met!). These ideas were published in the EAA Newsletter and also as an appendix in my book Digging up the Past, but were never formally adopted by the EAA. We are now going through that process; they have been agreed by the EAA Executive Board, and will be put before the Annual General Business Meeting in Lyon in September. Preliminary to that there will be an opportunity to have another look at the document at the annual meeting of the Training and Education Committee of the EAA which will be holding its annual business meeting and round table as part of the conference. So we would welcome any thoughts or suggestions on how we might improve the code. I also remind everyone that our committee meeting and Round Table is open to everyone attending the meeting, and also if you want to join our group, simply send your email address to John Collis (j.r.collis@sheffield.ac.uk).
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Code of Practice for Fieldwork Training
Practical training should only be undertaken by those competent to provide the particular training offered (e.g. field survey, excavation, geophysics, laboratory expertise). Where possible they should have recognised professional documentation of their competence.
Documentation provided to participants and potential participants should state clearly:
1) Who are the competent people running the project and their professional and training qualifications;
2) What specific training will be on offer (e.g. field walking, excavation, finds processing, drawing, etc.), and to what level (where this can be defined, e.g. under the Institute of Archaeologists proposed levels of competence);
3) The date of the site and its nature.
4) Which categories of student or volunteer are being catered for. This can vary from people for whom the project is a working holiday with an educational aim, school children wondering whether to study archaeology at university, students fulfilling requirements for the courses, or young professionals seeking professional training. All these groups have very different needs.
5) What kinds of students or volunteer are being catered for (e.g. the level of previous experience, those with disabilities, age restrictions, etc.).
6) The way in which teaching will be carried out, preferably with a defined programme (e.g. lectures, on-site training, site documentation, mentoring by competent workers, etc.).
7) Ratios of competent staff to students;
:face-thinks: A statement of the methods to be used, where possible with specific reference to manuals and text books;
9) A guide on the length of the course.
10) Clear advice on living conditions, personal insurance, hazards, equipment to be provided, etc.
The project must be fully insured for accidents, professional indemnity, etc. It should maintain legal standards of Health and Safety, e.g. in working conditions, protective clothing, first aid training, provision of first aid kits. Every member of the team should know what to do in an emergency, e.g. telephone numbers of medical services, where to find the local doctor or hospital.
Field projects should conform to the legal requirements of the country in which they are carried out (e.g. for permits, legal access to land, deposition of finds and archives, publication, etc.). This will also normally involve carrying out an official ?Risk Assessment?.
There should be concern for the local social and political environment in which work is being carried out (e.g. students should not be seen to have privileged access to historical sites from which local people are excluded). It is the responsibility of the participant to enquire what are the working languages for the course, and ensure that they have sufficient command to participate fully.
Given the limited nature of the archaeological resource, due concern should be given to its preservation, and it should not be destroyed merely to provide training. Preferably sites which are threatened or where there are pressing research interests should be chosen rather than unthreatened sites.
Sites should be chosen which are suitable for the level of training being given, e.g. beginners should not start on complex and difficult deeply stratified sites.
Students should not be exploited. Training excavations should not be used merely as a way of financing research; equally they should not be used as a means of undermining professional activities, e.g. by offering cut-price rescue excavations where these should be properly funded under state and European planning legislation.
Any certificates given out should be endorsed by a recognised institution, e.g. a university, museum, professional body, etc.
Participants should be asked for feedback on their experiences, and proper consideration be taken of complaints and suggestions. Where possible these should be passed on to the relevant institution overseeing the standards.
Any participants should be informed where they can make formal complaints if they are dissatisfied with their training and treatment (e.g. the professional institute, university, etc.).
EAA Strategic Plan 2004-2008
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Margaret Gowen, vice-President EAA
This plan presents the strategies for the EAA. This is intended to be a dynamic document and has a four-year perspective.
The plan is a result of a process of discussion which started with a joint meeting of the Executive and Editorial Boards in Budapest in February 2002. At the Thessaloniki Conference in 2002 a Round Table was held to discuss the future of the EAA. During the discussion several challenges were identified.
The Round Table results were presented to the members at the ABM. During the last year all members were invited to take part in the work to finalise the plan through the EAA web site and newsletter (TEA).
The final document was put forward to the ABM in St. Petersburg 2003 (see below) and adopted by the membership.
Principles
Principles such as sustainable development, whereby different sectors having responsibility for the environment and cultural heritage, the 'polluter pays' principle, prevention and participatory democracy, are all important for the protection of the archaeological heritage. It is a challenge to strengthen consciousness of the meaning and significance of cultural heritage in both a European and a local perspective.
The world is constantly changing. This has an impact on archaeological heritage. Some important trends in this perspective are:
Globalisation
Unified Europe
Democratic control of cultural heritage management
Privatisation where private companies are taking over tasks and authority from the state
Urbanisation and mobility changes the exploitation of resources and area
Technological developments in communication
EAA has to meet such challenges:
By expanding the organization the EAA will serve professional needs
Through increased knowledge and friendship the EAA can develop unique possibilities for co-operation
By stimulating the work of archaeologists and by contributing to a diverse and peaceful Europe.
Key roles
EAA has several important roles, such as:
Consultative status for the Council of Europe and cooperation with other organizations with similar aims
Influencing the EU policies on archaeology
The development of archaeological research and the exchange of archaeological information
Encouraging the management and interpretation of the European archaeological heritage
Promoting the training and education of archaeologists and students
Promoting the setting of proper ethical and scientific standards for archaeological work
Monitoring the situation for professional archaeologists.
Vision
By 2010:
The Malta convention to be implemented in all European countries
Most professional archaeologists in Europe to be members of the EAA
Goals
The EAA shall work actively to influence and develop relations with the Council of Europe, the EU and other major European organizations
The EAA shall create and support arenas for relations between:
different regions in Europe
between theory and practice and
between different disciplines and professions of archaeology
The EAA shall promote access to high quality life-long training and education for all students and professionals
The EAA shall host interesting and attractive conferences
EAA shall make the Journal, Newsletter and website appealing to members
The EAA shall be a stable and dynamic organization with an expanding membership
Strategies
Influence political developments in cultural heritage, research and teaching in Europe
Establish a strategy for non-professionals in order to change attitudes from exclusion to inclusion
To be an umbrella for EU-financed projects
Provide meeting places, build bridges and create networks
Secure a broad representation of archaeologists within the membership
Secure the financial situation of the EAA
Provide a permanent and professional secretariat
Make the EAA fun
Arrange more round tables and workshops in order to promote more active discussions
Focus on new knowledge and promote the dissemination of results from relevant and interesting research
More discussion in the Journal
Improve the multilingual abilities of the members
Provide active working parties
Activities
Focus on new knowledge and disseminate results from relevant and interesting research
Further develop the website, journal and newsletter
Excavations as educational laboratories
Recruitment campaigns directed at students, classical archaeologists, museum archaeologists and to attract members from less-represented countries
Obtain funding to support diversity in languages at conferences and in written material
Promote gender diversity at conferences
Promote a complete student session - organized and run by the students
Little Tim
Euro BAJR - Tim - 15th December 2005
This is from my local paper today. It's only a small piece from a very long article which isn't online at the moment. I worked with these people for 5 years. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
http://www.lqj.ch/index.asp?httpStrActualite=jeudi3.txt&jourclique=
Little Tim
Euro BAJR - eggbasket - 15th December 2005
And for those that do not read French or want cheering up, here is the text in Franglais:
An administrative investigation points finger the cantonal archaeologist an administrative investigation proposes to open a disciplinary proceedings for psychological harassing against the section head of archaeology and paleontology of canton (SAP) Fran?ois Schifferdecker. The conclusions of this investigation were deposited with the government in March. Last nine months later, one does not know which fate was reserved for these conclusions. The Government refuses to cancel or confirm that such a procedure was open. On the other hand, the minister Elisabeth Balsam-Schneider, in load of the file, hopes to have sliced the n?ud of the problem from here at the next summer. Do the tensions which tear the section of archaeology of the canton and which put at evil psychic health collaborators and executives since years come to a end? Invited to give his version of the facts, Fran?ois Schifferdecker declined the invitation and underlined to be held with the secrecy of function. More information in the Jurassic Daily newspaper of today.
Cheers,
Eggbasket
Gentleman Adventurer and Antique
"All human endeavour is futile"
Euro BAJR - Post-Med Potterer - 15th December 2005
Oh I love internet translators! Very good.
Euro BAJR - deepdigger - 21st December 2005
Its all very well embracing our Euro bretheren however, Its hard enough to get a job in British archaeology as it is!
Should we be encouraging people to come here and make it even harder?
deep