Yep, I'll be attending, and have been asked to moderate the 'Heritage in Danger' session. I presented a paper at the inaugural event at the British Museum on Donald Rumsfeld's theory of landscape archaeology, and I was really impressed by what the organisers managed to pull off. A capacity audience of 400 enthusiastic people (expected to double this year), an 'A' list line up of premiership speakers, and me, Layton Orient. I was delighted to be asked back.
The event itself was launched last year, aiming to create an archaeology festival to compare with Britain's popular festivals of science, literature, music and history. Current Archaeology was the main organiser, with the British Museum and the Portable Antiquities Scheme partnering up. For the 2009 event, Cardiff University and the National Museum of Wales are the co-organisers.
To answer direct questions regarding door price: the event operates on a not-for-profit basis so as to keep ticket prices down (and £100 for 2 full days of lectures plus a party is actually pretty good - WAC was almost triple that!) and offer substantial concessions to students who will make up around 10% of the audience. I've just been talking to the editor at CA, Lisa Westcott, and she's really enthusiastic about BAJRites coming along. If you ring her up and mention those four hallowed letters, you'll get in for 60 quid. There are still a number of student tickets available at 30 quid, but move quickly. As for the 'sponsor an out of work archaeologist' campaign⦠chance your arm! If Neil Faulkner answers the phone I'd say you're in!
The bottom line is that they are trying to draw a diverse crowd from all sectors of the archaeology profession - people more used to talking to each other at much smaller conferences (and forums!) and have them present their work and ideas to the broader public. Its such an obvious idea (all your usual conferences rolled into one) that it might... yes... by god, it might just work!
Once Iâve got all the details in Iâll be starting a thread for the Heritage in Danger session, so hopefully I can represent some of your views and comments come the big day.
Oh yes, Lisa Westcott can be reached at 02088195585, or
lisa@archaeology.co.uk