'The Real Manchester University'

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TMA Ed T
TMA Ed Dec 8, 2006 20:42:27
Replying to TMA Ed

Stonelifter, I noticed that you've chosen to re-edit the name of your site back to 'The Real Manchester University'.
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/9179

I realise that maps may not always tell the complete story, and that you believe you've discovered a new prehistoric site.

But I have gone to the trouble of checking maps of the area, including 1:2500 maps back to the mid 19th century, and there are no barrows (or mounds) marked on them in that area as far as I can tell. Surely if you believe this really is a newly discovered site it would be better to record it on TMA with a more acceptable name, such as Horrocks Moor, which is the location of the site, rather than the flippant name of 'The Real Manchester University'? I do not want to use a 'slippery slope' argument, but if contributors generally feel able to add 'unknown' sites using 'original' names, whatever credibility and authority the website might have (created by its contributors) will surely be undermined.

TMA Ed.

S StoneLifter
StoneLifter Dec 9, 2006 07:55:49
Replying to TMA Ed

Of all the new sites I've listed only two have been given questionable names - Smallhenge and the Real Manchester University. The statutory body for investigating archaeological discoveries in Bolton is the County Archaeology Unit, which is unusually administrated by the University of Manchester. Not only do they refuse to go out to look at the new sites they also forbid me to notify them of them - they have threatened to put their lawyers onto me if I do. It's quite an unusual situation but one which is very familiar to a whistleblower. I've published various articles in the local history newsletters and the people interested in local history accept that I've found a stack of sites. The combination of sites - have a look at GoogleMap - is very powerful - it's not just one potential barrow it's a shedload. If this picture ( http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/53634 ) really shows the undisturbed revetment of a longbarrow then it's of international significance. (The Toothells name was originated by a primary schoolteacher of mine who was the local historian and who later published his book of Bolton placenames).

And so on.

Horrocks Moor Barrow will do fine, but I like the idea of Google finding 'Manchester University' and sidetracking students to the site page.