Hi,
Lugging stones around is a bit comical.
Ok I agree that perhaps only one stone gets put up as an advocate to the pre-history.
But I doubt the factionality and expences made to justify a random erection. It would be more productive to research the archaeology in the area that belongs to the stones. And study the Neolithic/comparisons for a few years before one dabbles.
Specialising in this period can be done and answers can be found but it takes dedication and commitment. For a few years.
Also there are enough stones out there that can be studied and not a thing needs to be changed nowhere for this.
What I would like to see, same as George and Nigel is a change of law that takes off this 'treasure' edge.
There are many sites that need different approaching.
Doing an experiment ok, or a archaeology unit specialised in public relations can also be productive.
But shiny monumental fundhunting, is not very professional IMO and will crop the funds needed far more in other places on the site.
Lets put it this way.
On the monuments.
Erecting a stone is not science. The opposite in fact as then research opportunities get lost. And yes one needs to be able to go back over and over again like to find every bit of modification marks, user-wear. Exacts.
Restoration comes only near if one knows what one is doing. I can come a few steps closer but there are still many problems to be solved.
Temporary restoring for a more practicle reason has my consent. (some sites desperately need a bit of care, others just want to be left alone and some are already a good flagship)
And even then the site should be evaluated at individual value as a whole and the costs perhaps put into a site (sensible economy not flash cash) should be archaeology specialism, conclusions processing, evaluation to the functionality of the site. double presentation material and network.
Only then can be thought of putting a stone up.
Mostly sites that are in danger of neglect, should have our first attention.
Also there has been no indication that the archaeologist is a Neolithicum/Bronzeage stone specialist beyond recognising flakes.
I feel that in general it is a random excercize and not a excersize that is part of a wider coordination. Neither have I seen a valid reason why.
J.
