9th December 2005, 11:22 PM
I would agree with Monitor Lizard. Curators and consultants both monitor, but for different purposes. Contrary to popular opinion, though, it is in consultants' interests just as much as the curators' that the work is done properly.
I don't think that I have ever (in 12 years) called a curator to say "there's nothing there and to not bother visiting"; in those circumstances I'm much more likely to say "please come out so that I can show you that there's nothing there".
Quite apart from 'good practice' issues, there is a very simple 'client's interest' reason for trying hard to get the curator out. If a consultant can look at the archaeology (or lack of it) on site together with the curator and discuss it there, they are much more likely to be able to reach an amicable agreement satisfactory to both parties over what to do next than if the curator has only seen a report, but not the actual site.
Also, given the degree of suspicion prevalent about consultants, we are much more likely to be able to convince a curator that we are not trying to pull the wool over their eyes if we actively encourage them to visit and go round the site with them.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
I don't think that I have ever (in 12 years) called a curator to say "there's nothing there and to not bother visiting"; in those circumstances I'm much more likely to say "please come out so that I can show you that there's nothing there".
Quite apart from 'good practice' issues, there is a very simple 'client's interest' reason for trying hard to get the curator out. If a consultant can look at the archaeology (or lack of it) on site together with the curator and discuss it there, they are much more likely to be able to reach an amicable agreement satisfactory to both parties over what to do next than if the curator has only seen a report, but not the actual site.
Also, given the degree of suspicion prevalent about consultants, we are much more likely to be able to convince a curator that we are not trying to pull the wool over their eyes if we actively encourage them to visit and go round the site with them.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished