Sites on the cheap??

[Mike.T.]

I've never heard of a dig where they use 20 volunteers a day. I've no doubt there will be a ( few ) proffessionals there, but usually the pros heavily outnumber the rookies. Or that's the way it should be ...

[Lolabun]

But - one of the ways that commercial archaeology is going to survive during these times is with public support. Public support is not just gained by watching Time Team, it is gained by real interaction with the archaeology!

[Oxbeast]

I take your point Lolabun, but now that archaeology is firmly a part of the planning process, it doesn't need the kind of public support that it did before, in the days when it was taxpayer funded. Besides, a cynic might argue that the kind of person who volunteers is the kind of person who might support developer-funded archaeology anyway. Schoolkids might be a different matter...

I'm all for outreach, but this can take many forms and does not necessarily mean replacing professionals with volunteers...

[RedEarth]

Without knowing the details it is difficult to really comment, although if someone at said company mentioned using volunteers to save money it does make one worry slightly. My only come back to that would be that at the end of the day you can find volunteers to do almost every aspect of archaeological work (apart perhaps from very specialist stuff) including management! There are plenty of well-organised societies that have done and still do run large complex projects on a volunteer basis (at least I assume that is true!)

It sounds in this case as if EH are part-funding the work, perhaps on account of the complexity and size of what is likely to be there (developers can apply for such funding). This might explain the volunteer-heavy slant to the work... I can't believe that they would condone the replacement of professionals with volunteers in normal circumstances.

[Lolabun]

I do agree with you Oxbeast and with the other posts, that at the end of day this COULD be costing professional archaeologists a paid job, which in the present time is awful and unacceptable.

However, with the sidelining of the recent heritage bill and the posting I read about the debate or statement in the House of Lords, public support is something that we as industry/profession cannot take for granted ( something which I know none of the people who are replying to this post believe!).

I still wonder if this could be an interesting project combining commercial archaeology with community archaeology.

We don't really know the particulars of the project and taking on '500' volunteers may be an number quoted by sensational journalism? What needs to made clear is how many professional are to be employed.

[BAJR Host]

I too am reading it as the chance for volunteers to get involved without compromising the professional archaeological element - ie. the number of archaeologists is not less (indeed it should be higher.. to cope with the volunteers) like at Hungate in York, it is possible to carry out professional contracting work in a development context while still engage the public.. This is the sort of thing I would applaud. _ This would never get past either the IfA or the local planning if it was substituting non professionals with free muscle. :face-approve:


I wonder if they will be checked for criminality and health issues before being let on the site :face-huh:

So I would not see this at work at any cost, indeed the workforce should be higher than normal. those to do the job, and those to work with the volunteers (they will need training in this of course - as working with volunteers is as specialist as being a surveyor or photographer...)







"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli

[Sparky]

I love to see the costs for this and how much is being paid to the unit in question to provide free labour which is what is really is, while helping to solve an archaeological problem to a commercial aim.

Do you think it will be put out to tender?

[Oxbeast]

I'm confused on this. Their website says that the excavation is to 'safeguard archaeological interests in the face of development', and then in the next sentance says that it is 'not development led'.


also David said: "This would never get past either the IfA or the local planning if it was substituting non professionals with free muscle."

not sure about local government, but its not one for the IfA. They are not an RO and none of their staff are members.

[BAJR Host]

ah... thanks for that.. however... the Guidance document of the IfA is often held as a universal standard for curators.. even if the company is not an RO.

Am making some phone calls.



"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli

[muddyandcold]

[quote]Originally posted by BAJR Host

ah... thanks for that.. however... the Guidance document of the IfA is often held as a universal standard for curators.. even if the company is not an RO.

Am making some phone calls.

Perhaps why they didn't advertise on BAJR?? The Sole Trader is also not an RO...... and mentioned on BAJR before..... Say no more