22nd January 2008, 03:03 PM
Hi again,
it would be good to come along, there are issues of methodology relating to that type of site which would be useful to discuss with yourself and others who have excavated similar sites. It's also worth considering non-ferrous metallurgical production sites of a similar vintage, order of complexity and size, for example, OAs ongoing work on a nine hectare copperworks in Swansea (almost full digital recording of the total excavation of the site).
At the end of November last year I decided to leave commercial archaeology. As you know my main area of interest was the archaeology of the Industrial Age (deliberate capitals), specifically viewing large-scale industrial complexes of the 19th century as the archaeology of the urban working class. This expanded into a more holistic view of the period (if you haven't already, read Stephen Hughes, 'Copperopolis'). Since then I've been looking at contemporary archaeology as a way of understanding modern society.
Commercial archaeology isn't really geared up to look at those aspects of archaeology and the demands of the commercial sector meant that I didn't have the time to pursue those interests. Perversely, leaving full-time employment as an archaeologist allows me more time to devote to... err... archaeology! There are other reasons why I left commercial archaeology but Dave's AUP mean that they will have to be the subject of an off-forum discussion.
In short, I'm still in Oxford and working three days a week for BMW (four days if I want the overtime) and have the rest of the week to pursue my own interests.
Oz
If you ever wondered how you get triangles from a cow, you need buttermilk and cheese and an equilateral chainsaw. Half Man Half Biscuit
it would be good to come along, there are issues of methodology relating to that type of site which would be useful to discuss with yourself and others who have excavated similar sites. It's also worth considering non-ferrous metallurgical production sites of a similar vintage, order of complexity and size, for example, OAs ongoing work on a nine hectare copperworks in Swansea (almost full digital recording of the total excavation of the site).
At the end of November last year I decided to leave commercial archaeology. As you know my main area of interest was the archaeology of the Industrial Age (deliberate capitals), specifically viewing large-scale industrial complexes of the 19th century as the archaeology of the urban working class. This expanded into a more holistic view of the period (if you haven't already, read Stephen Hughes, 'Copperopolis'). Since then I've been looking at contemporary archaeology as a way of understanding modern society.
Commercial archaeology isn't really geared up to look at those aspects of archaeology and the demands of the commercial sector meant that I didn't have the time to pursue those interests. Perversely, leaving full-time employment as an archaeologist allows me more time to devote to... err... archaeology! There are other reasons why I left commercial archaeology but Dave's AUP mean that they will have to be the subject of an off-forum discussion.
In short, I'm still in Oxford and working three days a week for BMW (four days if I want the overtime) and have the rest of the week to pursue my own interests.
Oz
If you ever wondered how you get triangles from a cow, you need buttermilk and cheese and an equilateral chainsaw. Half Man Half Biscuit