3rd March 2012, 08:47 AM
Thanks, Oxbeast, for pointing out the rather obvious solution of actually speaking to us in order to find out what we are planning. We were expecting to hear all of the opinions that I've just read on this thread, so we're really not surprised - and we are also totally prepared, and willing, and happy, to speak to anyone who wants to raise things like this with us directly - especially archaeologists. We're not 'sidestepping' anything - but we are attempting to break free from the way things have always been done in order to get something accomplished. We cannot rely on traditional funding models or ways of doing things anymore - can we all at least agree on that?
Cllr Alan Melton is squarely in our sights. We are well aware that we are on his patch and we will be sure that he hears and understands the message about the importance of archaeology. We are hoping to score one for the bunnyhuggers with this project. And our field school prices are in line with most of the other equivalent experiences out there - plus we have a lot of things planned (which you can see on the website) to make sure that everyone gets value for their money - down to the last penny. There will be loads of local engagement, loads of opportunities for students, and loads of dissemination afterwards - including publishing the site report in a timely fashion, which will make a nice change again from the way things are generally done now. And yes - this is the first of many projects, we hope. This model is not going to go away, and could potentially be very useful for archaeology. And as already identified in this thread - it isn't that different to the way things are already done.
Whilst we were expecting to have to do a lot of explaining about this project...I can't help but be surprised and disappointed by the tone on this thread. You all make yourselves sound like a bunch of sour old dogs who won't even give us the benefit of the doubt before you decide we're crap and not capable of digging this site properly. If that were true, how on earth have we gotten the required permissions to dig there, then?
Cllr Alan Melton is squarely in our sights. We are well aware that we are on his patch and we will be sure that he hears and understands the message about the importance of archaeology. We are hoping to score one for the bunnyhuggers with this project. And our field school prices are in line with most of the other equivalent experiences out there - plus we have a lot of things planned (which you can see on the website) to make sure that everyone gets value for their money - down to the last penny. There will be loads of local engagement, loads of opportunities for students, and loads of dissemination afterwards - including publishing the site report in a timely fashion, which will make a nice change again from the way things are generally done now. And yes - this is the first of many projects, we hope. This model is not going to go away, and could potentially be very useful for archaeology. And as already identified in this thread - it isn't that different to the way things are already done.
Whilst we were expecting to have to do a lot of explaining about this project...I can't help but be surprised and disappointed by the tone on this thread. You all make yourselves sound like a bunch of sour old dogs who won't even give us the benefit of the doubt before you decide we're crap and not capable of digging this site properly. If that were true, how on earth have we gotten the required permissions to dig there, then?