Re: Ecclesall woods, new RA find. ? | Forum

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Ecclesall woods, new RA find. ?

Littlestone Jul 6, 2010 15:05:27

Replying to Chris Collyer

(appologies for the rant, it's not aimed at anybody just a general frustration at the archaeological world in general)

100% with you on that Chris.

Recent shenanigans at Bluehenge, Silbury and now possibly Marden, where everything is/was hush hush until the local 'expert' gets his or her book on the shelves illustrates the point. Let's hope these people (the experts) are not writing in taxpayer's time, and at the taxpayer's expense, only to profit from those writings (or broadcasts) when they finally get round to sharing their findings with the public.

Chris Collyer Jul 6, 2010 16:19:35

Replying to Littlestone

I don't have an issue if the archaeologist wants to profit from books and brings them out resonably quickly, if I was in their situation I might want to do the same. It would be nice if they would release enough information so we could come to our own conclusions while we wait though. What worries me is when people sit on information for years or just never publish it and it ends up in a filing cabinet somewhere only accessible to professionals and academics. It seems even the pro's get anoyed as well, in their case it's the data held by the commercial sector, have a look at this -

http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100407/full/464826a.html

The amount of information that we (ie the public) have direct access to must be tiny compared to the accumulated knowledge that's held in notes, papers and reports stuffed in drawers that may never see the light of day.

In the case of these stones that Geoff's chasing up it seems there's stuff going on that he's been asked not to repeat, which like I said is fair enough, and at least he's making some headway but my point is that he shouldn't have to be chasing people for information. If the archaeologists have made a discovery at least give us more than a vague press release (we'll buy the book when it come out anyway!)

-Chris

megadread Jul 6, 2010 16:22:38

Replying to Littlestone

Totally understand the frustration, i was hoping to go and see the RA immediately, thing is if i don't comply with the wishes of certain people doors will close that must remain open.
There is a schedule to release more info but it's a game of waiting for EH to record the piece first, as i've said it's partly buried and the consequences of someone going along and digging the bugger up could be disastrous, what if there's further archaeology in the covering soil. ?
Last thing i wanna do is wait to an age to see a discovery like this but what can i do, it is hinted there are other unknown pieces that could come to light.

Only this afternoon i've been to see the stone that was moved from the woods to a council compound, sadly (?) there's nothing on it that i can see, bloody good job too as it's been damaged severly in the move, though i'm certain if it did contain RA it would have been handled more carefully.

http://i49.tinypic.com/f4r042.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/k9uxvn.jpg

(Tape is at 12 inches)

Of course now i know the location i could go stomping in there, i am tempted but there are very good reasons not to, believe me.

Sorry.