Does antiquariism still exist?

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FourWinds F
FourWinds Nov 12, 2003 07:04:06
Replying to wysefool

And I am not if it *has* to involve guessing at the cultures of those that built these amazing monuments :-)

I am probably closer to the original form, but without the spade, I suppose! I bag 'em and tag 'em and let other people do most of the speculating. I do speculate of course, but at least I am aware that I'm speculating and that I do not Know. (anyone says Megarak here and I'll find a spade! Remember Tarka the Otter?)

My speulation is mainly landscape related. I ask "Why is it HERE?", not "What did they DO here?" or "Who were they?"

Antiquarianism has *evolved* into a new beast and Modern Antiquarianism is about as good a term as you will get for what we are today. What's more interesting is that both us and archaeologists came from the same common source - the gentleman/vicar and his team of navvies. The archaeos have tried to refine the digging side of it and the MAs have tried to refine the culture/folk side of it. I'm not sure either side has got it right yet. For years the archaeos were the 'bad ones' and we were the 'mad ones'.

However, the two approaches are once again converging with both sides actually taking note of elements of the other. There are still 'bad ones' and 'mad ones', mind you.

M Moth
Moth Nov 12, 2003 10:14:31
Replying to FourWinds

"For years the archaeos were the 'bad ones' and we were the 'mad ones'" - Love it! Love nigelswift's 'respect' comment too!!

Yeah I think we have enough in common with old antiquarians to share the name if necessary. We're motivated by curiosity and spend our own time and money in pursuit of (varying kinds of) knowledge of the sites, which we then compile for likeminded souls.

love

Moth

PS <I>Pedants' Corner</I> - I notice that the Chambers dictionary (which I usually like) doesn't include this use of the word even in relation to 'old-style' antiquarians. The Shorter Oxford does though.