I know as well as myself, a number of fellow researchers have had extreme difficulty engaging with the system.
Many "detectorists" I know, only started detecting in order to prove to their local curator that a site had good archaeological potential, since other lay research evidence had gotten short shrift. But then they found themselves lanbasted for disturbing an important archaeological site!
I'm a little out of date, since other then one project I'm involved with, I've not done any research for a number of years but at that time I got the distinct impression that for many "public engagement" meant "give us more money then leave us alone".
Has this situation changed I wonder? Can you pop down to your local curator and tell them about your latest exciting site, or do you still get the distinct impression that new archaeological discoveries by members of the public are simply a pain in the neck?
Maybe not a fair poll there... where 4 out of the 5 nswers paint us as not interested or hostile.
I have a difficult position, where although I may be keen - my job and connection with council may not allow me to follow where my 'heart' wishes.
I have been approached by several individuals and local groups, and while I cannot officially help.. (so the answer would be either 2, 3, 4 or 5) in reality I try to subvert teh system and work in disguise. What I would like to see is Local groups supporting the curator as well. demanding that the paltry budget or limits to involvement are removed... and for a realisation of teh different roles.. A Curator Curates, and DEvelopemnt Control Archaeologist deals with Planning, an Outreach Officer.. if you don't have one... demand one ask why not.. help the Curator to get one..
Sorry to be offended.. I know what you are meaning as well... where some just see it as a 'day job' but many of us really can't help... or get little support in return....only complaints.
If these are surface sites, why not just pop along to the PAS? I am sure they will be more than welcoming. Getting the artefact-noticing public (all of it) engaged in archaeology is one of their five aims.
Not sure what PAS has to do with it? As you already know, I am in Scotland, and unless the PAS have extended their remit....
Getting the public really involved in archaeology is one of my aims too... but sadly I am unable to follow that in a council capacity. Sadly there are also only so many days in a week.. and I have to eat as well... though I still do manage some weekends and evenings.
I can't help but wonder why you brought PAS into it...
Originally posted by BAJR: Not sure what PAS has to do with it? As you already know, I am in Scotland, and unless the PAS have extended their remit.... :
Good grief. Perhaps I should have made it clear I was answering (as were you) the question posed by Venutius who IS based in England and whose poll only took into account taking things along to curators. I hope this clears up you "confusion" about "why I brought PAS into it". If his poll was intended to refer JUST to Scotland, don't you think he would have said so?
Would also be interesting to hear from those who've informed their local curators about sites they've discovered through other methods, such as documentary research, observations on air photo's etc, rather then just through artifact recovery?
Is your research actively encouraged by your local curator?
Thats the question. Pardon for being confused - by your answer.
I counted six questions.
Personally I have never had any problems with curators (and museums) in several English counties who have all willingly offered time, money and resources to support a number of projects which were not otherwise funded. Some of them did a little bending of rules and creative budgeting to do so (and no I'm not naming names...) and some badgered local authorities into giving money for an amateur project they could perhaps ill afford (Little Oakley, that's in the report). But then I am not a member of the public as such. I have heard from some quarters (and it seems Venutuius has too) that this is not universal, maybe I've been lucky in the places I have lived and people I worked with.
I do know however that in England and Wales, PAS are very supportive of this kind of work, including fieldwalking and other field projects, and I have observed cases where they get money and resources out of the curators on behalf of amateur projects to further particularly interesting and worthwhile projects. Details of some of them are in the Annual Reports. I dont know though how those projects would have fared without PAS involvement, I suppose it must count for something...
In answer to Chris: Essex has collated the results of aerial photography by a number of excellent amateur flyers for many years (al;ongside of course other sources such as Cambridge and their own flying), though much of the documentary work that would locate sites was done there in the early part of the last century (by blokes like Horace Round), so a lot was in the SMR from the beginning.
