Re: Responsible posting - vunerable sites | Forum

Responsible posting — vunerable sites

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The Eternal Oct 21, 2005 12:49:22

Replying to fitzcoraldo

I understand the concern, but anyone wanting details of where the various stone axe quarries are only needs to go onto the Archaeology Data Service homepage, or trawl the internet. Anyone determined to search for an axe roughout, or any other souvenir at any other site, will do so, regardless of whether it features on TMA.
I think TMA provides a good source of information on what to expect at a site, and it'd be a shame to lose that due to fear of what people may do once there.

Cheers,
TE.

FourWinds Oct 21, 2005 13:09:26

Replying to The Eternal

I would also prefer folks to find info on this site where hopefully a responsible attitude to these places might rub off.

Moth Oct 21, 2005 13:12:21

Replying to The Eternal

As a bit of background, TE, a load of us discussed this a lot thinking about the Fyfield Down Polisher.

As Rhiannon has said in another post, that may be a bit different, being in a relatively 'busy' place so near Avebury. But as she also said, the info's available by asking or by more research - the idea being that it's harder for a casual vandal to come across.

I don't think that's unreasonable, but as I don't know the axe factories etc yr talking about, I dunno whether the same precautions might be sensible.

love

Moth

fitzcoraldo Oct 21, 2005 15:34:35

Replying to The Eternal

Hi TE
I agree that a determined treasure seeker will find the sites but should we make life easy for them? when the risk of damage is all too real. We have a multitude of flint sites in North Yorks but I will rarely post one because of the damage inflicted by flint collectors on other sites.

I have compiled a gazetteer of at least 35 sites in the Great Langdale area. The information has been obtained over time and in some cases was quite difficult to obtain precisely because the custodians of these sites fear that the sites could be damaged. One example of this is Richard Bradleys & Mark Edmonds excellent book on the subject. Bradley specifically avoids making reference to certain sites other than in the vaguest terms.
What I'm not advocating here is a total information blackout, just a little sensetivity when providing information on the specific location of vunerable sites.
cheers
fitz