20th September 2005, 06:43 PM
The IFA does have rules about this - if you think they have been broken, and you have evidence, then report the unit. They have recently shown willingness to discipline RAOs, but they need a complaint and evidence first.
On the specifics you mention (and assuming that the digs in question are commercially-commissioned work) -
Students: some use of students is probably ok, as long as they are a small proportion of the workforce (say, no more than 10%); are supplementary to a workforce that would be adequate without them; are paid; and are not employed in term-time.
Retired amateurs: Again, some use of such people is ok - they often have lots of experience. However, they must be employed, not working as volunteers. They will often be slow and painstaking, which is good for the archaeology but might mean that they are not very cost effective (assuming they are paid).
Graduates of their own training dig: Can't see any problem with that - these are young diggers setting out on a professional career, why should they be banned from working for a unit that provided some of their training?
Overall: Any of the above categories are ok in their place, but if a site is staffed entirely with these kinds of staff, the team will be very unbalanced. They may be cheap but they will probably also be slow, and without sufficient skill overall.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
On the specifics you mention (and assuming that the digs in question are commercially-commissioned work) -
Students: some use of students is probably ok, as long as they are a small proportion of the workforce (say, no more than 10%); are supplementary to a workforce that would be adequate without them; are paid; and are not employed in term-time.
Retired amateurs: Again, some use of such people is ok - they often have lots of experience. However, they must be employed, not working as volunteers. They will often be slow and painstaking, which is good for the archaeology but might mean that they are not very cost effective (assuming they are paid).
Graduates of their own training dig: Can't see any problem with that - these are young diggers setting out on a professional career, why should they be banned from working for a unit that provided some of their training?
Overall: Any of the above categories are ok in their place, but if a site is staffed entirely with these kinds of staff, the team will be very unbalanced. They may be cheap but they will probably also be slow, and without sufficient skill overall.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished