28th March 2011, 02:40 PM
Can I ask? Who is this message about the purpose of archaeology for? The politicians at Westminster? They are devolving so much cutting down the ranks to LA's. The elected members in LA's? Well, their attitudes haven't changed at all even during the tough but comparatively leaner era of the previous couple of decades. The public? Well, perhaps they already know what archaeology is worth - good entertainments and treasure rewards.
I know I am not being very helpful, I am sorry, but I think we should be aware that we might only get one shot at this. We must know what the 'other' side really think of archaeology. They don't care - that is likely to be the fact. They might see archaeologists as a self-promoting lobby group. The Tory-led coalition and the elected members in the LAs appear to be only short-termists - as always is the case in council chambers around the country.
My feeling is that we need to get the public especially to start reacting to all that is and will be happening. We need them to be shaking their heads and saying - it's a shame what is happening to archaeology. It isn't all that expensive, when push comes to shove, but so much of interest, entertainment and yes of value is going to go down the pan if all what is proposed happens. We need the public to say - why on earth are you threatening the country's archaeology! It isn;t expensive to get the archaeologists to do what they have to do. In sum, we just need them to look askance at the politicians as if they are a bunch of bullish oafs.
So - go for the public mood. Go for those 2million + Time Team viewers. Get Tony Robinson (like him or loathe him - he IS the questioning public voice of archaeology and he is popular) to front a campaign. raise some money to get adverts in the newspapers and something with his voice on radio - TV probs far too expensive. An advert in the style of the anti-piracy DVD thing - would you allow a medieval house in your street to fall into ruin? WOuld you allow an ancient burial ground to be ploughed up? Would you allow builders to machine away the streets and houses of your ancestors? Yeah, pithy and sarcastic perhaps and a little trite - but we need to engage with people who will support us. Also, Is anyone asking Tony Taylor and Tony Robinson if Time Team could do an 'archaeology under threat' special this or next year?
So, we must get the public tut-tutting! And, largely of our own making (discuss) we must emphasise that what we do does not cost the earth, but once it's gone - it's gone. Get the public even more on our side, on the side of archaeology - however they might see it (Time Team, PAS, MD etc) and then, with a groundswell of public support start lobbying the opposition. Yes, I said Opposition. Because the damage is being done - we are being ignored. But we need the opposition who, I for one hope, will be in power in the future to implement the changes in an integrated fashion.
I know I am not being very helpful, I am sorry, but I think we should be aware that we might only get one shot at this. We must know what the 'other' side really think of archaeology. They don't care - that is likely to be the fact. They might see archaeologists as a self-promoting lobby group. The Tory-led coalition and the elected members in the LAs appear to be only short-termists - as always is the case in council chambers around the country.
My feeling is that we need to get the public especially to start reacting to all that is and will be happening. We need them to be shaking their heads and saying - it's a shame what is happening to archaeology. It isn't all that expensive, when push comes to shove, but so much of interest, entertainment and yes of value is going to go down the pan if all what is proposed happens. We need the public to say - why on earth are you threatening the country's archaeology! It isn;t expensive to get the archaeologists to do what they have to do. In sum, we just need them to look askance at the politicians as if they are a bunch of bullish oafs.
So - go for the public mood. Go for those 2million + Time Team viewers. Get Tony Robinson (like him or loathe him - he IS the questioning public voice of archaeology and he is popular) to front a campaign. raise some money to get adverts in the newspapers and something with his voice on radio - TV probs far too expensive. An advert in the style of the anti-piracy DVD thing - would you allow a medieval house in your street to fall into ruin? WOuld you allow an ancient burial ground to be ploughed up? Would you allow builders to machine away the streets and houses of your ancestors? Yeah, pithy and sarcastic perhaps and a little trite - but we need to engage with people who will support us. Also, Is anyone asking Tony Taylor and Tony Robinson if Time Team could do an 'archaeology under threat' special this or next year?
So, we must get the public tut-tutting! And, largely of our own making (discuss) we must emphasise that what we do does not cost the earth, but once it's gone - it's gone. Get the public even more on our side, on the side of archaeology - however they might see it (Time Team, PAS, MD etc) and then, with a groundswell of public support start lobbying the opposition. Yes, I said Opposition. Because the damage is being done - we are being ignored. But we need the opposition who, I for one hope, will be in power in the future to implement the changes in an integrated fashion.