+- BAJR Federation Archaeology (http://www.bajrfed.co.uk)
+-- Forum: BAJR Federation Forums (http://www.bajrfed.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: The Site Hut (http://www.bajrfed.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?fid=7)
+--- Thread: Southport - support or betrayal? (/showthread.php?tid=3900)
Southport - support or betrayal? - RedEarth - 19th April 2011
Sith Wrote:By the sound of the quotes posted by Mr Hosty, Southport are trying to build on the Public Engagement section in the Practice Guide (Paragraph 138), which begins:
'Where appropriate and possible, local planning authorities and the developer are advised to consider the benefits of making the investigative works open to and interpreted for the public and to include that as part of the written scheme of investigation…'
You would think so, wouldn't you, but there is an enormous difference in meaning between 'making the investigative works open to and interpreted for the public' (PPS5) and 'public participitation alongside commercial organisations' (Southport). So why has the Southport group even suggested such an extreme interpretation?
Southport - support or betrayal? - P Prentice - 19th April 2011
if, as seems increasingly likely, the government is about to introduce an updated version of MSC, perhaps we should be examining the wider issue of whether fieldwork is a career end in itself or merely a grounding for archaeologists as a stepping stone to specialist, analytical, interpretation / report writing etc ?
Southport - support or betrayal? - Boxoffrogs - 19th April 2011
And the IfA is going to accept this proposal, it did, after all, have an opportunity for input into PPS. We have signed up to Valetta and that is beyond our ConDems to change, as such amets input (does pot washing count) will be part of our profession wether we like it or not. Next it will be evaluation by wafting a metal detector across the site...
Southport - support or betrayal? - Sith - 19th April 2011
P Prentice Wrote:..perhaps we should be examining the wider issue of whether fieldwork is a career end in itself..
Why shouldn't it be? Not everyone wants the (pretty much un-rewarded) stress of being in charge, even just at a supervisory level.
Southport - support or betrayal? - P Prentice - 19th April 2011
Sith Wrote:Why shouldn't it be? Not everyone wants the (pretty much un-rewarded) stress of being in charge, even just at a supervisory level.
i'm not saying it shouldn't, and i'm not saying that its about being in charge, but for me its about being able to say something about us - im just wondering who wants to dig for the rest of their life without the opportunity of saying something?
Southport - support or betrayal? - kevin wooldridge - 19th April 2011
P Prentice Wrote:i'm not saying it shouldn't, and i'm not saying that its about being in charge, but for me its about being able to say something about us - im just wondering who wants to dig for the rest of their life without the opportunity of saying something?
That statement rather suggests a scenario where the excavators of the site do nothing but dig and every level of recording or interpretation or input into the site organisation, prioritisation and excavation process is decided top-down and passed from an elite to the 'ragged- trousered philantrophists' in the trenches.
Well whilst I am sure that someone will quote me chapter and verse on where that exact situation exists, surely the more usual and customary procedure is that lots of 'diggers' have the opportunity of input into the site organisation and through their recording into the final interpretation. My experience for example is that the vast majority of site staff create their own discrete sections of the site matrix, as well as making interpretive plans and observations.
Perhaps the level of responsibility is the difference. I think most experienced excavators would be happy up to the level of area supervisor (which itself often attracts a degree of post excavation work occasionally to full publication level). Its the step beyond that to project officer and the darker side of things where many 'diggers' draw the line.....(and I realise that in some organisations what I am calling a 'supervisor' might be called a project officer and vice versa, so hopefully no-one is too confused by my terminology....)....
Southport - support or betrayal? - P Prentice - 19th April 2011
perhaps i could have qualified further by asking who amongst us is content to be, or will happily if able, be digging (and recording) until we retire at 70-75?
Southport - support or betrayal? - kevin wooldridge - 19th April 2011
Well I am still digging and recording after 30 years in the field - but then I also do things with survey equipment and computers and cameras and occasionally some management-oriented jobs.....variety being the spice of life and the ultimate antidote to the dole queue!!
I think you are asking the wrong question though. Maybe the question you want answered would be: Would you accept a more senior position in an archaeological organisation if it meant giving up field work completely...for ever? I would guess a lot of people would answer No....
Southport - support or betrayal? - P Prentice - 19th April 2011
kevin wooldridge Wrote:Well I am still digging and recording after 30 years in the field - but then I also do things with survey equipment and computers and cameras and occasionally some management-oriented jobs.....variety being the spice of life and the ultimate antidote to the dole queue!!
I think you are asking the wrong question though. Maybe the question you want answered would be: Would you accept a more senior position in an archaeological organisation if it meant giving up field work completely...for ever? I would guess a lot of people would answer No....
how is your pension looking? what will you do if you put your back out for good? can you step into post-ex when it suits you, do you have all the skills you need, or will you be forced out of the job you hold so dear?
Southport - support or betrayal? - Wax - 19th April 2011
if I put my back out at work it will be an industrial injury so I will be looking for compensation When ( if) I retire I will carry on as a volunteer into my 70s . I know several people who retired in their 50s and have worked as archaeology volunteers doing heavy physical work into their eighties. Do not presume that once you get to 50 you loose all your physical fitness and mental capacities.:face-stir: