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| Digging a narrow hold down blindly on getting a signal - the usual way a 'metal detectorist' takes selected diagnostic finds from still-hidden archaeological assemblages |
I think Dr Harris has lost it here. First of all, calling it "metal detecting" is obscuring the real nature of the activity. Now put a more descriptive term, 'collection-driven exploitation of the archaeological record' into the first sentence. Since collecting is not archaeology, this is a bit of a nonsense.
How does Ed Harris propose doing this (below) stratigraphically?
published on You Tube by DrTones24k, 9 October 2015
Dirt Fishin America crew metal detecting England, day 6. Dr.Tones has his best day ever and finds his most memorable treasure to date. Dirt Digler and Pickhead metal detected a ton of hammered silver coins. Celtic gold stater x2! AND a medieval golden, jeweled ring! True treasure hunting.Or this? This is from Metal Detecting Science: Where does the power of the Nexus come from?
This pretty well makes the point that what the majority of people buying metal detectors are interested in has nothing to do with stratuigraphy, in presenting this 'sciennce' the various layers of the site are shown in section, but all that is of interest is not how to go about recording them, but how to did through the upper ones to get to the goodies below (it's all due to what machine you buy, you see?). What I think is that this is not only what Ed Harris has never seen in connection with the 'metal detecting' he's writing a supporting letter for, but probably also he was not even bothered enough to check before writing.
Harris looks forward to seeing a "professional Institute of Collection-Driven Exploitation of the archaeological record"? Magic mushroom land. The purpose of this institution would be so that "the stratigraphic approaches to the collection driven exploitation of archaeological sites becomes (sic) the industry (sic) standard", eh? This is commercial, industrial, collection driven exploitation of archaeological sites? What is Harris on about here? he goes on to claim that 'many archaeologists still use non-stratigraphical means to dig holes into history' (sic). Is he sure he is talking about archaeologists and not artefact hunters? Since stratigraphic investigation and recording methods 'are fundamental to any disturbance of the earth', Dr Harris is "heartened' that 'many' (sic) 'metal detectorists' [artefact hunters engaged in collection-driven exploitation of the archaeological record] 'wish to engage in such professional methods, which will enhance their work '. Really? And the work of the metal detectorists in the video above is what in fact, Dr Harris?
4 comments:
I believe that the 'Harris Matrix' should be taught to detectorists. I was first introduced to the matrix in Oxfords Conted course 'Archaeology in Practice'. I went on to attend the 'stratigraphic Analysis' course and look to include the subject in the Metal Detecting for Archaeological Projects: An Introduction, course. I remember how you criticised me for including stratigraphy in the course earlier this year.
When communicating with Ed Harris, I used the example of the 'Bellingham' episode to demonstrate how destructive metal detectorists can be.
I do not support what you term 'collection-driven exploitation of the archaeological record'.
Ed Harris is not alone in his support for 'education for detectorists', all major archaeological bodies and institutes have written in support. Many influential archaeologists have written in support including Sam Harris who has viewed the initiative as positive.
This Friday, I sit on one of the 'discussions panels' at the PAS conference, as will Sir Barry Cunliffe. I trust you will not demean Sir Barry Cunliffe with the same 'laughing stock' attack as you have on Ed Harris, for sharing a platform with me?
>I believe that the 'Harris Matrix' should be taught to detectorists. <
I do not know what for. How would you use it for the "work" (Harris's term) of Dr Tones and his "Dirt Fishing America" crew? It has no application whatsoever there. And artefact hunters should not be digging into anything that does need stratigraphic interpretation, because people of the intellectual calibre we saw displayed at Bellingham are not up to it.
> I used the example of the 'Bellingham' episode to demonstrate how destructive metal detectorists can be.<
Yes, so even if these barely literates managed to write a report- how much reliance can you place on the accuracy of expression of what they 'observed' and the interpretation they placed on it? None.
> I do not support what you term 'collection-driven exploitation of the archaeological record'.<
Really? So the Association of Detectorists would condemn it maybe? But that is precisely what most detectorists do it for, to get pieces of the past to hold in their hands and keep at home. No? If not, where do all the hammies and Roman grots go? In the bin? The museums can't take them all, they have a problem taking excavation archives as it is.
> for sharing a platform with me?<
with tekkies it's all about me-me-me, isn't it? Nobody is criticising Harris for answering your letter, but some pretty asinine phrasing in what he said in that reply which shows he'd not given the topic any consideration at all. In your position, I'd see that as an expression of DISrespect rather than the opposite. Cunliffe sitting on a chair - no matter who it is next to - is not all that newsworthy, he has sat on lots of chairs. Since the PAS never publishes the papers from their "conferences", I guess we'll never get to hear what Cunliffe or any of the rest say. But if its only in those four walls, it does not mean all that much. It'll no doubt be the usual PAS style fluff with a CCI overlay.
The reason stratigraphy should be taught, is to explain the complexities of archaeology and why as detectorists you should NOT dig into anything that does need stratigraphic interpretation. I cannot really think tonight of a similar scenario, apart from perhaps how educating the public how inhaling tobacco damages the lungs and other organs, in order to decrease the number of smokers. (Without the biological explanation, the message was lost). I have previously volunteered in industry for over 15years and represented the UK in Europe at the highest of technical levels however, it was not until I was introduced to the Harris Matrix, that I really started to understand the importance of stratigraphic context...which also help me to better understand contextual landscape.
I personally, have no interest whatsoever in collecting artefacts or in their monetary value. Even back in the nineties when I discovered the Broughton Castle Hoard on display in the Ashmolean, thought to have been coins belonging to Queen Henrietta Maria, I told the landowner, Jury and Coroner at Oxford Crown Court, that I did not want to keep the coins or any reward. This was the last case of 'Common Law Treasure Trove' and incidentally, after I discussed the method of how...the county archaeologists allowed me to excavate the hoard. I donate to a local museum and hope to replicate this ethical relationship through the organisation.
In regard to Ed Harris, he did consider the topic carefully however, he was considering from my perspective and the objectives which I put to him and was not commenting on the practice of the majority. Therefore, I am extremely embarrassed in the way you have treated him in return for his kind help. Although I think that you bring an important angle to the debate, I do not think he deserved that?
I think that the representatives of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, have a very difficult and fine line between proposing a tougher stance on the subject and alienating the majority on who they depend. The proposed institute and its governance comprising of archaeological bodies however, is first looking to write standards, methodology and guidance where archaeologists can dictate minimum codes and best practice...on community and commercial archaeological projects. The ultimate objective once stage one is complete, is to help change and influence the mindset of the majority.
In regard to the proposed institutes future stance on personal collections, our first stage will not allow this as we will be focusing on archaeological projects where the detectorist will be under the control of a 'Project Manager' and will follow a 'code of conduct' similar to archaeologists. In the longer term we will look form an ethical, conservational and practical approach, working with local historians, community archaeologists and museums. We know that museums cannot take in house the majority of finds, so locally (hopefully nationally), we will have a display case which gives the opportunity for local finds to be put on display. Crucially, we will look to educate detectorists to gain the fullest of contextual knowledge from the finds...It may be necessary though, for detectorists as custodians to hold collections that museums cannot keep (not straightforward I know)
1) Then you are confusing stratigraphy with stratification.
2) Harris "was considering from my perspective and the objectives which I put to him"
my point exactly. In other words the guy who's telling us all how important is context did not put what you asked him to write into its context. Archaeologists lulled into simplistic thinking about CDE deserve their glib pronouncements being challenged.
3) >the representatives of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, have a very difficult and fine line between proposing a tougher stance on the subject and alienating the majority on who they depend.<
They depend on public fnding, the majority of the public that pay for their employment are neither detector owners or collectors. They deserve the truth about artefact hunting, they deserve the PAS to take a tougher stand with the oiks that destroy the archaeological value of sites all over the country. And they are not getting their money's worth on either account. As we can all see.
4) We should not need a separate "Institute" to do the very work the PAS is supposed to have been doing with finders for 20 expensive years.
> looking to write standards, methodology and guidance where archaeologists can dictate minimum codes and best practice...on community and commercial archaeological projects. The ultimate objective once stage one is complete, is to help change and influence the mindset of the majority.<
What makes you think you'll succeeed in that all that has happened in 20 years of the well-funded, government backed PAS trying to do it is an increase in artefact hunting in England and Wales and thus an increase of people needing and not getting that basic guidance - so we see a Bellingham every few weeks?
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