Mike, how about this answer "it's all in the eyes of the beholder". On
a theoretical bend, how would you label the current theoretical wind in
UK? I'll let you simply define the parameters of the debate for now.
Gerry
Anderton, Mike wrote:
> Thanks Gerry.
>
> This is, indeed, the crux of the issue. When do we justify the study
> of
> something as 'past'? If we do study more recent material (even up to
> Mobilephone Communication Towers as one of my colleagues has pointed
> out to
> me), are we no longer archaeologists, but more in the role of
> contemporary
> observers/sociological 'journalists'.
>
> It is a task for me to justify to some people the study of WW2
> material (I
> usually say that I need the money!), but I have colleagues who are
> studying
> Cold War material dating up until a few years ago.
>
> Once again, it is a question of what is the past, and when does
> 'modernity'
> start and our investigations stop (if indeed that should be so).
>
> Mike
>
> Mike Anderton AIFA
> Project Officer (military)
> Aerial Survey
> English Heritage
> NMRC
> Kemble Drive
> SWINDON SN2 2GZ
>
> 01793 414855 (direct)
>
> 01793 414859 (fax)
>
> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gerry Reinhart-Waller [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 19 November 1999 17:04
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: When do sites/objects become 'the past'?
>
> How about a 100 years? Your question is indeed very difficult to
> answer. So is: How old is old? Or when is someone too young?
>
> Anderton, Mike wrote:
>
> > Dear list(s)
> >
> > In answer to the plea for more 'archaeologically' related debate on
> > Britarch
> > (as opposed to genderised semantics), I would like to pose the
> > following
> > question - When do sites or artefacts become 'the past' and, thus,
> > archaeologically significant?
> >
> > Some quarters normally apply the 'fifty year rule' as a way of
> getting
> > round
> > this pretty contentious subject. However, as I know from my current
> > project
> > examining WW2 sites fifty years may not be enough for some people. I
>
> > am
> > often asked 'Well, is it really archaeology?. Wouldn't the money be
> > better
> > spent elsewhere?'.
> >
> > This is partly a matter of personal curiosity as I am , obviously,
> > slightly
> > influenced by my current job, but it would be useful to gain an
> > impression
> > of other peoples views.
> >
> > And before anyone thinks that I have not read Samuels and Lowenthal,
> I
> > have.
> > What I am after is a grass roots feeling about this material.
> >
> > Look forward to your views (some of which may [or may not] form part
>
> > of my
> > final report on this project next year).
> >
> > Best wishes
> >
> > Mike
> >
> >
> > Mike Anderton AIFA
> > Project Officer (military)
> > Aerial Survey
> > English Heritage
> > NMRC
> > Kemble Drive
> > SWINDON SN2 2GZ
> >
> > 01793 414855 (direct)
> >
> > 01793 414859 (fax)
> >
> > [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> >
> >
> >
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