23rd December 2012, 01:24 PM
...although digger experience/knowledge counts as well, knowing (or suspecting) at the time of excavation what might be important, and e.g. taking those extra soil samples. I've always tried to at least have a working knowledge of what all those various specialists do and are interested in, what can and can't be done (the budget can be argued out with the client later - ooh, that's going to get responses!) and what current research themes are topical, am constantly horrified by the poor general archaeological knowledge of many site staff and even supervisors/POs/directors. As a for-instance, I've had several conversations with diggers and POs who seem to be unaware that the way we all pretty much dig sites in Britain these days, in plan/single context etc isn't the only way to do it, many of the 'old ways' are still entirely valid merely unfashionable - who still leaves baulks in for instance?...despite the fact that they're still the best check when you realise that maybe what you thought was happening isn't.... however, I'm rambling, so :face-topic: