One of the main problems is that both academics and contractors often have a
poor understanding of the basic principles of mining and the complexity of
the mining process. And yes there is a lack of synthesis to put new
information into context. Perhaps this is a critisim of the SMR / HER system
where information is stored but not compared, analysed and evaluated beyond
the recieving SMR officer reading the report when it is deposited (or is
that optomistic?). Is this a question then of lack of resources?
I can illustrate the poor understanding of mining remains with a particular
personal beef; the widespread use of the term Bell Pit. It is usually a
clear sign of a lack of academic rigor when it turns up in an report. It is
either used in a geologically incorrect context i.e. where vein mining has
taken place. Or it is used without any consideration of local geological
conditions and how they would affect if this method of mining would be
economically suitable. I recently saw a report that talked about Bell Pits
equipped with horse gins! Now that is an example of a lack of common sense
as well as academic rigor.
Martin Roe
Meerstone Archaeological Consultancy
http://www.martinroe.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/meerstone.htm
Lead Mining in the Yorkshire Dales,
http://www.martinroe.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
>From: Nigel Page <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: "The mining-history list." <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Lottery Funding in Future
>Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2006 16:51:55 -0000
>
>Martin Roe wrote
>
>'I don't have the time to get into your discussion about the current state
>of
>british archaeology which i agree is indeed dire with a big gulf between
>academic research and contract archaeology. One result is that a lot of
>very
>poor interpretation finding its way into local HERs.'
>
>Martin as an archaeologist undertaking 'contract archaeology' I'm wondering
>whether you regard the academics, the contractors or the gulf between them
>to be the cause of the poor interpretation in the HERs. I like to think
>that
>even within 'contract archaeology' there is academic rigour in the reports
>that are produced.
>
>What is lacking is synthesis to put the new information into context.
>
>Regards
>
>Nigel Page
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