29th April 2010, 02:53 PM
I do not wish any archaeologists to lose their job, the GUARD staff are excellent archaeologists. However, the retention of GUARD within the University is not the sole means by which these individuals (or group(s) of them) can continue their good work. Other former university units such as CFA Archaeology have shown the success they achieve after liberation from the restraints of a University. Indeed given the assurances we have heard of their profitability, even in the midst of a recession, they should find any transition to pure commercial footings (through say a management buyout much like AOC Archaeology leaving Historic Scotland) relatively straightforward. Perhaps, as with the two other examples from the big four in Scotland, their time has come to seize their independence and rid themselves of the arbitrary decisions of others.
I would also take issue with Windbag’s perception of Scottish archaeology; while I accept there are three big units headquartered in and around Edinburgh there are a growing number of archaeological concerns in Strathclyde (e.g. Rathmell Archaeology, Argyll Archaeology, Firat Archaeological Services) and more broadly spread across Scotland (e.g. Alder Archaeology, Murray Associates, Scotia, Alba (Highland), Highland Archaeological Services). Headland Archaeology has also long since taken the plunge of opening a permanent and substantive Glasgow office. The traditional pattern of employment opportunities has been changing for a long time, to the benefit of archaeologists not based in Edinburgh.
I would also take issue with Windbag’s perception of Scottish archaeology; while I accept there are three big units headquartered in and around Edinburgh there are a growing number of archaeological concerns in Strathclyde (e.g. Rathmell Archaeology, Argyll Archaeology, Firat Archaeological Services) and more broadly spread across Scotland (e.g. Alder Archaeology, Murray Associates, Scotia, Alba (Highland), Highland Archaeological Services). Headland Archaeology has also long since taken the plunge of opening a permanent and substantive Glasgow office. The traditional pattern of employment opportunities has been changing for a long time, to the benefit of archaeologists not based in Edinburgh.