Following on from what Ooban was saying in the 'Trench One' thread:
quote:
Originally posted by ooban: So its demise, if that's what has happened, is a pity, but I, too, now subscribe to other archaeology magazines instead.
I was wondering which ones? I'm getting a bit fed up with British Archaeology to be honest. There seems to be more about the politics and ethics of archaeology than actual excavations, finds, interpretations etc. Any other suggestions? I probably will have another go at Current Archaeology, which I stopped taking a few years ago. Anything else out there?
BA seems to be dominated by the ethics of consevation at the moment. H-Blocks last issue, next issue - the archaeology of sport. I know we all have different interests and Roman archaeology has been over-represented in the past, but I just feel that the issues that make the front page would be better suited to the features pages. Ah well - you can't please them all. It is all part and parcel of the CBA membership too, so I'll probably carry on with it.
I subscribe to Current Archaeology and Current World Archaeology - and I certainly don't agree that CA is a "horrible rag". I thoroughly enjoy both, I like the balance between British and international issues in alternate months, and I think they are good value for money.
I buy British Archaeology sometimes, but the last thing I want to read in a magazine is stuff about politics, ethics and other people telling me what to think. I want entertaining and informative articles and news items about archaeology, not a lecture on morals.
Originally posted by ooban: I subscribe to Current Archaeology and Current World Archaeology - and I certainly don't agree that CA is a "horrible rag". I thoroughly enjoy both, I like the balance between British and international issues in alternate months, and I think they are good value for money.
I buy British Archaeology sometimes, but the last thing I want to read in a magazine is stuff about politics, ethics and other people telling me what to think. I want entertaining and informative articles and news items about archaeology, not a lecture on morals.
Oh Dear. Selkirk and Co have another convert I see.
Not necessarily - I buy magazines for enjoyment, not because of who the editor is. And I get quite enough discussion on "the politics and ethics of archaeology" as a compulsory part of my course, thank you very much. I choose not to pay for the "privilege" of reading about it again in my few leisure hours.
I'm having a bit of a dialema myself about these magazines I only have sufficient funds for one of them, so do i subscribe to CA or join the CBA and rceive BA? it's a tough one!!
I like CA and C World A, and have been getting them for a few years. I'd agree that they're pretty good value, and the articles are pretty good. They also tend to distil pretty well the various main stories that show up in the (ex-) broadsheets over the pre-publication period. (Although Fortean Times is pretty good for that too.)
I'm not a big fan of Andrew Selkirk & Co's editorial style (it is hardly a barrel of laughs, true) and he has an odd propensity for insisting on calling you-know-who "The" Time Team all the...time. But, he doesn't hide or pretend to have anything other than his own view. What's more, you do get the odd jolly good rumpus in the letters pages too (a really ripe one over Guernsey a year or so ago, and a recent one about Cornwall),so if you like seeing archaeologists getting their collective knickers in a twist you won't be disappointed.
I really wish there was a popular archaeology magazine out there on the newsstands (in the style of, say, BBC History or Fortean Times). Time Team could and by now if it was going to happen, should have been a catalyst for one. Sadly no.
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channel 5 are not going to do any more reality tv shows. i think the problem with TimeTeam is channel 4 who have a condescending idea about the viewers - there are too many elements of celebrity and reality tv in timeteam. THey could produce a magazine allied to the programme of high class but alas no. Why well all they want to do is milk the viewers through advertising revenues. they are very conservative they dont want to change the format of the programme or the presenters in case viewing figures collapse. A Tv executive doesnt have a long attention span. However Channel 5 want to lose their reputation as being a porn channel. i will tell you one thing about TimeTeam it is not popular amongst archaeologists but the problem is not the team its the production values of the people who produce it? why did they get rid of the historian chappie? not glamorous enough? THey could make TimeTeam better but they are scared it might lose them viewers - there have been better history and archaeology programmes in the past though not in that format. People want to be challenged intellectually not necessarily entertained. if they were lose any of the main protagonists they might not carry on to them its like Dallas just another tv programme. DId anyone watch COAST recently - this was ground breaking. thanks for listening
Originally posted by Steffan: BA seems to be dominated by the ethics of consevation at the moment. H-Blocks last issue, next issue - the archaeology of sport. I know we all have different interests and Roman archaeology has been over-represented in the past, but I just feel that the issues that make the front page would be better suited to the features pages. Ah well - you can't please them all. It is all part and parcel of the CBA membership too, so I'll probably carry on with it.
I find them a bit hit and miss for my own interests too, sometimes I'll read BA from cover to cover as its packed with things that I'm interested in, Others like the one that arrived yesterday I've just flicked thorough, as you say you cant please them all I have recently subscribed to CA too so lets see what that brings, although their joining offer helped as it was well worth having, for an extra £10 you got the past 6 back issues. Bargain!
I love all of them for their different views and approaches although I can't afford Current World Arcchaeology at the mo. I agree that the Fortean Times also has some good Archae coverage and I also wish there was a mass market archae title out there.
The bigger mag and booksellers are no-go areas at the moment - there are so many history titles available at expensive prices from America that I drool as soon as I smell that new paper scent wafting out the shop. I am a magazine and book junkie though.
the searcher, along with treasure hunter are aimed at metal detecterers, but dont let this put you off. they often contain very valuable infomation as to what has been happening in the uk. they also cover excavation for yesteryear. there neads to be a closer relationship between detectors and archeologists, as there is a common goal, we are all looking for a greater understanding of what has been before. both magazines are available off the shelf at whsmiths for around £3.50-£4.00 i think.
Originally posted by martin74: the searcher, along with treasure hunter are aimed at metal detecterers, but dont let this put you off. they often contain very valuable infomation as to what has been happening in the uk.
I think the Fortean Times is more believable and has more credibility tho'.
I see that the current (Jan/Feb) issue of British Archaeology contains a letter from a disgruntled reader (or ex-reader it would seem) on the lack of archaeology in the magazine's pages. Ironically, I thought there was quite a bit of archaeology in this one!
