I think my opinions about archaeologists are pretty well known here on Stout Standards, but I recently received a couple of emails questioning my stance. So, here goes…..
It isn’t because I had a bad experience with an archaeologist or because I was bad mouthed by one (used to that) or because I was banned from detecting a particular area. It’s all those things and more. You see I have learned over the years that no matter what you or I do for them, they do absolutely nothing for us.
Understand, they patronize us every now and then (maybe condone is more appropriate), and “allow” us to be in their company, helping them with a project or two (without pay of course). That, however, is about it. They use us to their advantage, only allowing us to holler “signal here“, but when push comes to shove they really don’t care about any of us. Maybe someone reading this can respond and share with me an instance of where an archaeologist came to their defense in some manner or fashion. In my close to 40 years of detecting I have never heard of that happening.
I don’t really care to share each and every one of my past dealings with archaeologists here and now. It would take up way too much time and space, bring back bad memories, irritate the hell out of me, probably turn a friend or two against me, and frankly giving any serious thought to this group of elitists is a waste of brain power. Suffice to say I have had a myriad of experiences dealing with them. All bad!
Many detectorists, for some goofy reason, dream and drool of working with an archaeologist. I guess it’s the ole “look Ma, I am one of them”. I say that because I remember falling into that trap too. It didn’t take me long to figure out I was just being used. Come on, deep down, you and I know we will never be part of their fraternity, nor will they ever invite us. To them, we are low lifes who, in their mind, aren’t able to do much more than swing a search coil…
While I know that Paul Barford nor Nigel Swift (a.k.a. Wally and Harry) do not speak for the entire archaeological community, they are indicative of what I know and have learned over the years. I am 72 now and will not be changing my mind about how I feel when it comes to this group of elitists….too many years, too many bad experiences, and never an indication that anything will change.
I wish you all the best of luck in your efforts to become pseudo archaeologists. I learned a long time ago that pissing in the wind is not a good way to spend my time….
So as to clear up a comment on another blog, I have not been associated with the FMDAC now for over 25 years……
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ONE MORE WISE BLOGGER
Now that we have “real” archaeologists out the way, I wanted to share this paragraph from Roger Pearce’s recent post in Thoughts on Antiquity, Patristics, Putting Things Online, Freedom of Speech, Information Access, and More ……
“The article mentioned a certain Paul Barford, whom I come across occasionally and whose position I find so extreme as to be very difficult to understand. His current article is an example. In it he attacks metal-detectorists in Britain for being pleased if they find something valuable (!), with a cartoon depicting greed, and the title jeering at them as being most likely lower-class (!). But Mr Barford might care to reflect that his efforts are unlikely to eradicate greed from the human race. They might however, if successful, eradicate cooperation between metal-detectorist and archaeologist. If such a ”success” is achieved, the archaeologist called out at night might find it expedient to hire bodyguards, as elsewhere in Europe; and we may as well abandon any thought of learning anything about any find by metal detector ever. A better example of thoughtlessness and the law of unintended consequences I have yet to see”.
Just one more take on the “self ordained” arkie in Warsaw…..
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MORE FROM THE SAGE ACROSS THE POND….
John Howland just emailed in his take on detectors for beach hunting, archaeological ethics (now there’s an oxymoron if there ever was one) and the new Garrett ATX. Please do take the time to read his latest by clicking on the Malamute Saloon link above and scrolling down to today’s date.
Thank you Bubba!
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RECENT NEWS
Thanks again to Eddy Current’s “Metal Detecting News” Facebook site for the following. Not sure how I would keep abreast of all things treasure hunting if not for him….
Stonehenge Path offers New Clues
A Pair of Late Bronze Age Gold Bracelets Found
Argentina Ghost Town Reemerges
Stout Standards 
Let’s be fair about this. There are some arkies who recognise what detecting is all about…the search for casual losses…and are happy to embrace it. Detecting is the only way to find battlefields, skirmishes, market sites, meeting places, footpaths and many others. Many hobbyists are experts in their own right. Some arkies recognise this unassailable fact and the PAS is the world leader.
Hobbyists in the UK have contributed more to the heritage record than all the amateur archaeological clubs put together.
Oh, sure we have out detractors, but look at who’s spitting the venom. It’s my considered opinion that some are clearly mentally deranged, or, suffering the effects of nervous breakdowns; others are preachers looking for a religion; some are the mentally walking wounded, some are and just plain daft, some are bitter commies who can’t come to terms with the fact that the Berlin Wall is now brick-dust.
So don’t let’s get too overwrought by mental cripples. They deserve our pity.
John, my comments refer to my dealings with archaeologists here in the States. I too love the PAS….if only we had something similar. Unfortunately we don’t.
So much for your National Representatives, who, on present performance are as much use as tits on a bull. Come out of retirement Bubba, YOUR country needs you! There’s a pool of talent out there just aching to take the fight to our ill-informed critics.
John, too old, been there, done that. I also doubt that detectorists here in the States really care. JMO.
You can…you just need to contact the more cerebral in the arkie community, a tall order I know, but they exist! Someone needs to lead the charge and from the look of it the FMDAC hasn’t got the strength to get up off its fat arse! Remember, your hobby exists in the US not because of the FMDAC, but in spite of them!
John, don’t think the majority here really care about anything but digging that next find. Seems it’s only important when they are effected. But then again, I repeat myself.
You are correct that most “archaeologists” are blowhards that “guess” at most of their discoveries. They love the words probably, maybe, could be, possibly and a few others to that effect because they can not back up their “theories”.
But don’t give up on all of them. In my 27 years of detecting, I have come across a few of them that I would call a friend to the detecting community. When I was in AZ, we always had a NFS Archaeologist from NM attend and participate in our annual (planted) hunt. He is a great guy and not condescending like a few from across the pond.
But I also have had my run-ins with “elitist” archaeologists that want it all for themselves, even though they do not have the time or resources and never will to locate and identify it all. I have also seen that type of mentality in a few detectorists. They forget that WE ALL have the right to explore and discover, it is a GOD given right.
Mike, there are good and bad in every walk of life, and all I want is to be able to enjoy my pastime without interference from those whose only goal is to take it away from me.
Let me know when they announce a summit to discuss our differences….just sayin.
Great post Dick. Sad but true. I love the photo of the wind!
Steve I know my comments will surely irritate a few tekkies and I am sorry, but I have had it, ten times over, with playing the wannabe archaeologist game.