23rd October 2012, 11:32 AM
(This post was last modified: 23rd October 2012, 11:35 AM by John Wells.)
Time Team did a wonderful job of popularising archaeology and made a significant impact on amateur groups and in raising the profile of archaeology and heritage.
Introducing the audience to geophysical techniques was wonderful, encouraging groups to get their own resistance meters through the CBA or more recently from independently produced ones (ours was only ?540 a couple of years ago).
Unfortunately, TT seemed to loose its way. Entertainment is an important feature of any programme but having taken the lead in encouraging amateur groups, TT should have continued to provide a lead in accessible, cheap methodologies.
A higher on-screen profile for Young Archaeologists' Clubs would have been nice too.
There is a desperate need to keep the profile of 'heritage' high on the agenda, especially as the professional archaeology community is decimated by cutbacks. I believe that local community groups have a significant role to play and any support, advice and encouragement that can be given is crucial.
Here in Scotland the RCAHMS did a wonderful job with the Scotland's Rural Past Project.
Introducing the audience to geophysical techniques was wonderful, encouraging groups to get their own resistance meters through the CBA or more recently from independently produced ones (ours was only ?540 a couple of years ago).
Unfortunately, TT seemed to loose its way. Entertainment is an important feature of any programme but having taken the lead in encouraging amateur groups, TT should have continued to provide a lead in accessible, cheap methodologies.
A higher on-screen profile for Young Archaeologists' Clubs would have been nice too.
There is a desperate need to keep the profile of 'heritage' high on the agenda, especially as the professional archaeology community is decimated by cutbacks. I believe that local community groups have a significant role to play and any support, advice and encouragement that can be given is crucial.
Here in Scotland the RCAHMS did a wonderful job with the Scotland's Rural Past Project.