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BrigantesNation B
BrigantesNation Oct 29, 2005 16:43:07
Replying to PeterH

Q. How manyy archaeologists understand Neolithic remains that actually get to decide ontheir importance?

Q. How many archaeologists are actually expert?

Q. Is an archaeologist the right expert to decide on how best to repair subsidance?

Q. At Thornborough before I came along the archaeologists had made the decision. By your logic me being a well meaning amateur disqualifies me from saying much about the destruction of ancient sites at all.

A. Lets let the "experts" (who in the main have very little formal training for the jobs that they are expected to do) get on and do what they want with ancient sites, they are after all the people who know best, as has been proven time and time again...

You know in my job I work with loads of experts. They build things for me. It's amazing how many of those "experts" are temps, unqualified and generally do not have a clue what they are doing. It is also amazing the number of times I have to step in, understand what the issue is and tell the experts how to solve their problems. I normally sense trouble by a certain lack of communication followed by innordinate delays and if I don'e step in - ultimate failure in the project.

In addition, I personally think the term amateur is a petty one. Many people on this list know a lot more about megaliths than a great many archaeologists ever will. That includes you.

P PeterH
PeterH Oct 29, 2005 19:33:10
Replying to BrigantesNation

You misunderstand me. How can I make it any clearer that I do not see archaeologists as the best people to preserve Silbury or any other ancient site. That is not their function, purpose or expertise. I do believe that EH is well motivated towards preserving/saving Silbury and I believe that appropriate engineers have the required expertise and not archaeologists.

The word "amateur" has come to be used in a dismissive way. I hold to its true meaning ie from the Latin "amator" meaning lover. You shout for Thornborough for love of Thornborough not because you are paid to do so as a professional. Ditto VBB, Nigel, Pete G et al because they LOVE Silbury. However, that love and passion does not guarantee that they always have the required knowledge to make the best decisions - and at the end of the day decisions are required and talk must give way to action.