One of the great things about being subscribed to the list is how even the
most flippant of remarks and comments can lead onto deep and meaningful
discussion 8->
 
My previous posting was in NO way meant to convey the impression that I felt
American colonial sites as not being worthy of study. I feel quite the
opposite, as I am currently making extensive use of American source material
in my work at Wortley Top Forge (and thanks are offered to everyone who has
supplied me with information and references).
 
I broadened the 'TIME TEAM' discussion to provide a possible account for the
team's bemusement and slight frustration by the American method of working.
The condemnation was of the attitude of the archaeological (mainly British,
I hasten to add), mindset and its attitude to post-Medieval and later sites.
The Time Team had apparantly in the past, felt quite happy to see similar
techniques employed on prehistoric sites and had therefore, made suitable
time allowances within their schedule (Was this considered to be 'real'
archaeology?)
 
Unfortunately, to many British archaeologists Post-Medieval and industrial
archaeology are viewed as almost a fringe subjects, for example a couple of
years ago I was employed by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum.  The Museum is
closely linked with the Ironbridge Institute, as such we offered what help
and advice we could to the students on the Industrial Archaeology Masters
course. Yet of an entire intake of 15-20 students not one had previously
studied archaeology, or had a extensive field experience.
 
Likewise, when I spoke to friends and colleagues employed within the more
'usual' regional based archaeological organisation, they seemed to think it
strange that a unit could exist that specialised in post-Medieval and
Industrial archaeology.
 
This attitude has in recent years had to be revised, following the
introduction of new government guidelines and legislation, archaeology in
the UK (of all periods) has been placed centrally within the planning
process.  This coupled with the need for units to become less research based
and more business orientated, has led to large increase in the number of
evaluations being carried out on post-Medieval and later sites, the
archaeologicla establishment is at last required to take both subjects
seriously.  A situation that can only ultimately be for the benefit of all
post-Medieval and Industrial archaeologists.
 
Thankfully, gone are the days (as I can personally recall from the dim and
distant past) when a significant amount of pottery was recovered from a
site, so much was recovered that the later material (19th/20th century),
literally filled a dustbin!  As to its fate I leave everyone to make up
their own minds!
 
Best wishes,
 
 
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Jeff Morris AMInstCES PIFA     Email [log in to unmask]
Wortley Top Forge Archaeological Survey
Wortley Top Forge Industrial Museum
Wortley Village
Wortley
Sheffield
S30 7DN
 
A Research Project of the South Yorkshire Industrial History
Society (formerly The Sheffield Trades Historical Society)
                 Registered Charity No. 506339
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