19th September 2013, 09:29 PM
In reply to Tool if local societies and amatuers want to be taken seriously in archaeology then they must and I mean must, apply, the same standards as the professionals. That said if you talk to the right people there are many professionals who will give their time for free.
In Manchester there is the Manchester Federation where local groups and societies pool resources and skills. However it is extremely difficult to keep groups talking and working together and it is the support of a wide range of professionals that keeps a very dynamic local archaeology on track. (Though I doubt the long established amatuer groups see it that way!)
Far too many people just want to dig without getting involved in the recording and post ex that is essential . If you excavate you destroy. There are reasons for project designs and written statements of investigation and do remember that even if it is not scheduled the curator in your area will still have some responsibility to protect the Heritage Assets on their patch. And why not go for the HLF there are plenty of people who can help you through the hoops. When it comes to the HLF partnerships with non archaeological groups are more than possible.
if your group is not coherent or comited enough to follow a project through from begining to end then the professionals will see this and support cannot be expected.
In Manchester there is the Manchester Federation where local groups and societies pool resources and skills. However it is extremely difficult to keep groups talking and working together and it is the support of a wide range of professionals that keeps a very dynamic local archaeology on track. (Though I doubt the long established amatuer groups see it that way!)
Far too many people just want to dig without getting involved in the recording and post ex that is essential . If you excavate you destroy. There are reasons for project designs and written statements of investigation and do remember that even if it is not scheduled the curator in your area will still have some responsibility to protect the Heritage Assets on their patch. And why not go for the HLF there are plenty of people who can help you through the hoops. When it comes to the HLF partnerships with non archaeological groups are more than possible.
if your group is not coherent or comited enough to follow a project through from begining to end then the professionals will see this and support cannot be expected.