The ideal tool kit

[mercenary]

Duct/gaffer tape. For mending just about anything and keeping permatrace stuck to the board. Superior in all ways to masking tape. Bit pricier though!

[Gog]

Nice chopper, Mr Hosty

[Gog]

A pith helmet (especially after the emergency Brandy/brandy)

And knee-length socks worn with knee-length shorts (measured from the oppsite direction)

Classy look.

[Gog]

Dirty Dave mentioned a large spoon - bend it at right angles, to make scooping out the crud from the base of narrow post-holes easier (but make sure you bend it the right way - doh...)

I should have combined these posts into one for increased efficiency, but I've been on the vino...hic

[Dirty Dave Lincoln]

Oooh- some glaring omisions on my part there[:I]! also forgot-big rubber gloves (that's for when bailing and using a sponge! unless there's a distressed cow nearby).
Loved the vid Hosty.
Does anyone have access to Time-lord technology?:face-huh:

[gorilla]

One must have... a short wheel-base Landrover (may stretch to a long wheel-base Defender).

One thing I wish PPE boffins (whoever they may be) would sort out... a flash jacket that didn't attract thunderbugs

[Beardstroker]

quote:Originally posted by Dirty Dave Lincoln

What should be the ideal tool kit? that is a set of tools which no self respecting archaeologist would go into the field without. Such, must be able to cover any situation (or emergency) which might arise on a site! This topic can be as serious or as silly as we like.
1- A toolbox, this should be large enough to carry all tools-and be of a size that vertically challenged diggers can stand on (extra hight for taking photos from)
2- 1 or 2 30m tapes,
3- 1 or 2 hand tapes,but not the type that snap back taking the ends of your fingers.
4- At least half dozen pencils,from 2b to 6h,but dont let friends chew the ends.
5- A half dozen pens,fellow diggers will borrow them-and lose them.
6- About eight 6" nails,good for sections or crucfying diggers who don't return what they borrow!
7- 2 line levels,you might break the bubble in one.
8- 1 ball of string, but beware marauding kittens.
9- half dozen 10" kebab skewers, good for not so firm sections,and for probing for mines or impromptu barbies.
10- 2 WHS trowels-but blades no longer than 6/7"s,any more then take up plastering!
11- A leaf trowel
12- A set of plastic clay modelling tools, they wont damage skellies or preserved wood,also good for unblocking clogged nostrils.
13- A good selection of finds bags,various sizes is always handy-unless you find a T.Rex thigh bone!
14- A sharp Stanley knife,to keep your pencils sharp and cutting string if no good local flints are handy.
15- A set of plasters- in case the knife slips.
16- A 5/6" flour sieve, good for test sieving.
17- A large kitchen spoon, great for getting loose out the bottom of post holes.
18- Safety goggles/dust mask, for stray chips when mattocking or being caught in sand storms.
19- A good magnet, on a diggers wage your bound to be to poor to afford a proper metal detector.
20- A strong insect repellant, but not an anti-pixie spray- as you might inadvertantly kill some fellow diggers [xx(](anyway, its the trolls which are the real problem).
Any and all ideas/amendments/comments welcome.[:o)]

I seem to remember the last time we did a list like this, someone had nail varnish on their list, used for emergency repairs to crumbly prehistoric pots and other delicates.

Mind you, I suppose if theres any conservators readint this they probably wouldn't approve. And of course theres the ubiquitous H&S regs about dangerous chemicals as well[:o)]

[Windbag]

Don't forget the bullwhip, revolver and battered brown fedora hat, naturally!

[Dirty Dave Lincoln]

Knew a field officer with a bullwhip- he nearly took his own eye out!