As this thread is about damage it is probably a good place to discuss the damage done to this forum by people falling out, aggressive posts and the persistent settling of 'old scores'. Those not involved get fed up with it and don't want to be drawn in. I know for a fact that a few individuals with 'quite a bit of clout' on this forum have agreed between themselves never to answer anything I post. This didn't really matter as there were enough impartial posters here to counter-balance this strategy ... but it does have a drip drip effect which eventually would wear anyone down. From what I have seen of Drew and quite a few others like thesweetcheat, tiompan, Sanctary etc., they like to see fair play - when they stop posting there is certainly no point in me making any further contributions.

The roll-call listed above is an honourable one; I can understand people like Jane and Moth losing heart after their much loved friend Treaclechops (Rebecca) died. She was young and her death a tragedy but the death of any loved one makes you re-assess what is important and arguing on an internet forum certainly isn't.

Why not declare an amnesty and let old grievances go; I'm not aking to be bezzie mates with anyone but it would be nice to think I could ask an archaeology/anthropology based question without being pointedly blanked or indirectly derided by a certain few.

To put it in a nutshell show a bit of tolerance and respect for the people who are trying to make this forum work today - however brilliant past contributors were, we can't bring them back.