Littlestone,
A fine piece of writing, and one that gives me hope that the poor bloody hill will have some representation, and thus cause for optimism. As PeterH says:

"archaeologists' top priorities are the search for knowledge and the consequent enhancement of their reputations."

The only way for an academic to justify themselves is in the production of papers - end product to testify that they have been doing the work they were paid for (usually via the public purse!), and thus are bound to have a stilted view of what is best in a given situation.
I am - as Nigelswift so eloquently states, one of the "untutored public, the true owners of the monument" and I believe that people like yourself and organisations like Heritage Action are to be applauded and supported wholeheartedly.

This is me, saying to English Heritage:
"Don't be so ruddy daft."

Peace

Pilgrim

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